Maintenance Agreement?

[JES2727]

Hello,
I've got a meeting on Monday morning with a man who's looking to enter into a maintenance agreement. He has several dozen locations and he needs someone to maintain his signage and lighting. The first step is to visit each site and resolve any issues, and then some sort of ongoing maintenance plan. I'll need a bucket truck, which I do not currently have. I'm asking here for advice or suggestions on maintenance agreements, especially pricing. Should I just figure my standard service call rate, figure one visit to each location per month, and give him that number? Maybe just figure a certain number of days per month rather than a price per location? Is $1000 per day a reasonable price for 1 man and a bucket truck in the northeast? Some of his locations are within 10 minutes of my shop, and some are a couple of hours away. So, obviously some locations will involve more time. I'd say most sites are probably within an hour's drive.
Any other caveats I should look out for? Any terms I should be sure to include, or not include?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[dduffee260]

I think $1000 a day for a bucket and operator is right in line. 8 hours x $125 and hour is $1000. That is the going rate in Texas for a basic bucket and operator. The rest looks like it may be a feeling out process.

 

[satcom]

"That is the going rate in Texas"
In the northeast, if he is located in one of the metro areas, that rate might be on the low side, the owner is most likely looking for a bargin price, and there are plenty of large, both in state, out of state lighting maintenance companies that beat down just about small operator out there, they know the operating, insurances, and maintence costs of lift equipment, they usually have respond only contracts, where the contract spells out the charges for responding, or scheduling charges, they may get $1000 to 1200 for just showing up, some building management companies are always looking for a better price, so they will shop around, many a small EC companies have invested in bucket trucks, only to find out it's like buying a boat, your happy the first day you get it, but even happier the day you sell it.
Take care, and check out what other EC's have to say about bucket trucks and lighting work, I am sure there will be more guys responding.

 

[bkludecke]

I love my bucket truck - and I hate working on signs. Sign work is almost a trade unto itself and you will need to carry alot of inventory to avoid setting up taking the sign apart and then having to roll up and go get the lamps, ballast, lampholders, neon parts etc. For the guys that are trained and well set up it can be a goldmine. For me it's a pain in the neck. Also, when you have a bucket truck, the neighbors want you to help prune trees, paint the trim, clean the chimney, etc, so be ready to learn to say NO alot. We do some line work and maintenace on commercial lot lighting and the bucket truck is a lifesaver.