Pole light repair cost

[bth0mas20]

I have been renting towable manlifts to fix lights when theirs enough to cover the rental cost.
I just bought a lift and will be getting into more light repair jobs.


What is the going rate for light repairs?

How much for just a bulb change? Balast kit change?

How do you guys handle this and any hints and tips would be great.

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[brantmacga]

we change quite a few parking lot lamps, and will rent a towable lift whether its one lamp or 20. If the customer really wants it fixed, they'll have to pay whatever it takes to get the lift out there.


we charge 1.5hr per lamp, plus lamp cost x markup. ballast change is 2.5hrs, plus ballast cost x markup. and trip charge for each visit.

lift charge is cost x2 to 2.5 if local.

 

[480sparky]

What I charge will have no bearing on what you or anyone else charges. My cost of being in business is different than yours, so your price will be different than mine.

Truthfully, you should have been working these questions out on paper long before you jumped in with both feet.

 

[masterinbama]

At the very least you need to charge for "your" lift what you were paying for a rental unit. You have the same maintenance and upkeep on yours, don't you?

 

[busman]

I almost posted the same question a few weeks ago. I have an opportunity to buy a 35' bucket truck VERY CHEAP. I was wondering about what I could charge for parking lot light maintenance to see what the break-even point on usage would be.

Reading the responses that are all oriented towards man-lifts, I wondered if there is a reason to prefer the lift over the bucket truck?

Mark

 

[iwire]

Before you buy a bucket truck check out how much it will add to your insurance costs, the required up keep and testing of the boom, where you could have this done and how much they would charge.

 

[ceb58]

I almost posted the same question a few weeks ago. I have an opportunity to buy a 35' bucket truck VERY CHEAP. I was wondering about what I could charge for parking lot light maintenance to see what the break-even point on usage would be.

Reading the responses that are all oriented towards man-lifts, I wondered if there is a reason to prefer the lift over the bucket truck?

Mark

Before you buy a bucket truck check out how much it will add to your insurance costs, the required up keep and testing of the boom, where you could have this done and how much they would charge.

Remember the VERY CHEAP part can cost you BIG MONEY. Every day that truck sit unused it cost you money. The insurance has to be payed, the boom has to be tested and certified and the more a piece of equipment sits the more maint. it will require. The only way to justify a big investment into a large piece of equipment is to have a customer base where that equipment is use every week and is not sitting there eating off the table.
I have had several opportunities to buy trenchers CHEAP but so far I have had the need for one about 2-3 times a year. I rent the machine, charge accordingly and I dont have the headache of maint. and up keep. I can put that money into a retirement account or put it into a piece of equipment that I will use a lot and make money on.

 

[busman]

Remember the VERY CHEAP part can cost you BIG MONEY. Every day that truck sit unused it cost you money. The insurance has to be payed, the boom has to be tested and certified and the more a piece of equipment sits the more maint. it will require. The only way to justify a big investment into a large piece of equipment is to have a customer base where that equipment is use every week and is not sitting there eating off the table.
I have had several opportunities to buy trenchers CHEAP but so far I have had the need for one about 2-3 times a year. I rent the machine, charge accordingly and I dont have the headache of maint. and up keep. I can put that money into a retirement account or put it into a piece of equipment that I will use a lot and make money on.

Yeah, you hit my thoughts exactly. I've had it available to me for a few months and the reasons you gave are the reasons it's not parked at my place. My wife thought I should get it to hang the Christmas lights. I don't see that happening.

Mark

 

[ceb58]

My wife thought I should get it to hang the Christmas lights.

Mark

Well that changes every thing.
Tell her that you will get the truck to hang Christmas lights but she will have to go with out shopping or presents for several years..... See how far that gets you

 

[satcom]

Well that changes every thing.
Tell her that you will get the truck to hang Christmas lights but she will have to go with out shopping or presents for several years..... See how far that gets you

If he is going to buy a bucket truck it may be a great idea to buy a boat at the same time, that way he can watch his bank account free fall

 

[bth0mas20]

we change quite a few parking lot lamps, and will rent a towable lift whether its one lamp or 20. If the customer really wants it fixed, they'll have to pay whatever it takes to get the lift out there.


we charge 1.5hr per lamp, plus lamp cost x markup. ballast change is 2.5hrs, plus ballast cost x markup. and trip charge for each visit.

lift charge is cost x2 to 2.5 if local.

Thank for the only response to the question I asked.

 

[satcom]

Thank for the only response to the question I asked.

It is also good that he put it in hours and not a dollar amount

 

[flyboy]

At the very least you need to charge for "your" lift what you were paying for a rental unit. You have the same maintenance and upkeep on yours, don't you?

In my view, he needs to charge more. Recover initial capital investment, eventual replacement, maintenance and repairs, storage, insurance, etc.

 

[flyboy]

Thank for the only response to the question I asked.

Unfortunately, this is not your answer. His hours are based on his overhead and profit requirements based on his billable effieciency.

You need to do the financial calculations exercise, based on your companies numbers, to determine your pricing.

If you want the formulae, PM me your email and I'll send it to you.

 

[growler]

What is the going rate for light repairs?

10% less than the last guy. Just hope you are not the 10th contractor they call.

 

[brantmacga]

Unfortunately, this is not your answer. His hours are based on his overhead and profit requirements based on his billable effieciency.

You need to do the financial calculations exercise, based on your companies numbers, to determine your pricing.

If you want the formulae, PM me your email and I'll send it to you.

not exactly. they're based on standard labor units.

the dollar amount applied to those hours are based on overhead and profit.

i could change it to .5 hrs per lamp and triple the rate; still works out the same.