targeting customers?

[haycad]

how do you guys target drain cleaning jobs? i have several adds in the local phone books for plumber. i receive alot of calls for service work but rarely for drain cleaning. i bought a couple nice machines but they just sit in my shop. how do i put them to work? i would like to have them running non stop.

[tinmack]

I am not a drain cleaner nor do I know much about it. However, from reading some past posts I believe you could start by targeting commercial-type customers i.e. restaurants, industrial plants, hospitals, etc. Seems that their systems might suffer from a sludge build-up more than some residential-type customers. Maybe some direct mail/targeted phone call to the decision-maker would be a start.

Find out where the drain guys advertise in the yellow pages/paper and try to get a bigger ad above them. Then again, I feel that the yellow pages can be an expensive waste of time. Then again, if there isn't a "drain cleaner" section, maybe you can start it and be the only one....

Change your business cards to note that you offer drain cleaning and make sure to mention it to all your customers.

From what limited exposure I have gained from reading drain cleaning posts, I'm thinking the money is in drain cleaning. Probably dirtier, but is an ongoing/renewable part of your business. You might jet a line more often then you install a water tank..........

But then again, I'm not a plumber or drain cleaner........

[Cuda]

I have been using Service Magic for leads works pretty well in the Seattle area. I do not know how they are in and around Portland or Vancouver. But you can ask them before you sign up they will tell you how many hits you have missed. Cost is around $100 to sign up and $9 per lead they give you, but they dont just give the lead to you they give it to 3 others as well so you have to act fast to get the job once they notify you. But people trust them because they check your insurance and license. They even check your refrences. I also tell every plumber I see at the supply house and a lot don't like to do drains and turn them on to me. It is a win/win deal because if there ends up being a mainline repair I turn it back to them.

[tinmack]

:scratchhead:I have been using Service Magic for leads works pretty well in the Seattle area. I do not know how they are in and around Portland or Vancouver. But you can ask them before you sign up they will tell you how many hits you have missed. Cost is around $100 to sign up and $9 per lead they give you, but they dont just give the lead to you they give it to 3 others as well so you have to act fast to get the job once they notify you. But people trust them because they check your insurance and license. They even check your refrences. I also tell every plumber I see at the supply house and a lot don't like to do drains and turn them on to me. It is a win/win deal because if there ends up being a mainline repair I turn it back to them.

You pay to compete with three other guys?? $36 bucks a lead to the companyy???? Do they get paid even if no business comes of it???

Wow, I am definitely in the wrong biz.............

[All Clear Sewer]

Does your ad say DRAIN CLEANING real BIG? Look at my web link, the first page has my phone book ad and I get calls day and night.

[PLUMBER RICK]

that's interesting that you can't get drain cleaning business.
i'm a plumber and it seems like most of my referrals from other plumbers and contractors are for drain cleaning, drain related work.

do a good job at what you do and it will come faster than you think.

years ago i never carried a main line machine in my truck and only loaded it when i needed to.

today, it's in my truck and used almost every day.

rick.

[All Clear Sewer]

I have been using Service Magic for leads works pretty well in the Seattle area. I do not know how they are in and around Portland or Vancouver. But you can ask them before you sign up they will tell you how many hits you have missed. Cost is around $100 to sign up and $9 per lead they give you, but they dont just give the lead to you they give it to 3 others as well so you have to act fast to get the job once they notify you. But people trust them because they check your insurance and license. They even check your refrences. I also tell every plumber I see at the supply house and a lot don't like to do drains and turn them on to me. It is a win/win deal because if there ends up being a mainline repair I turn it back to them.
I get bad leads from em. Not one good one to this date....errrrr

[Cuda]

The reason Service Magic has been working I think for me is that I gave them the zip codes of about a 10 mile area that I like to work in, most of the homes are around 100 years old and I know the plumbing pretty well for this area. I stay in my zone and I am fast to arrive. The people for the most part are computer savy people who would actually use a service like Service Master a lot are even Microsoft employees. So it works out pretty well I don't get all the jobs they send as sometimes I am busy and one of the other guys is first to call them. The other one I tried was findaplumber.com and I have got 0 work from them.

[haycad]

thanks for the response guys. i'd say i use my k7500 once a month:mad:. its kinda hard to justify to my wife why "i have to have it". when it just sits i know it will eventually pay off. i was hopeing sooner though. is there any good classes at the pumper show about generating drain cleaning customers? how do you sell to a resturaunt? whats your pitch? all the restaraunt owner's i do work for are cheap. maybe im not selling it right?

[PLUMBER RICK]

thanks for the response guys. i'd say i use my k7500 once a month:mad:. its kinda hard to justify to my wife why "i have to have it". when it just sits i know it will eventually pay off. i was hopeing sooner though. is there any good classes at the pumper show about generating drain cleaning customers? how do you sell to a resturaunt? whats your pitch? all the restaraunt owner's i do work for are cheap. maybe im not selling it right?

restaurants typically require jetting over snaking. it can be nasty work and odd hours to not interfere with their peak periods.

i would sell to a management co. first.

also when you need it, it's not on your truck. hard to justify putting it on the truck without the work, but hard to get the work without it on your truck:confused:

let your regular customers know you do drain cleaning too. believe it or not, some of my customers thought you need a drain person and not a plumber:eek:

it takes time, spread the word. don't spend more on advertising than you will take in.

my pipe bursting machine only gets work a few times a year. my wife had a hard time with that purchase too. but at the time she was not my wife;)

rick.

[Cuda]

rick said" my wife had a hard time with that purchase too. but at the time she was not my wife;)"
I can't quit laughing at that:wink2:
I been married 3 times and I know the spending difference when I am single.
Bryce

[saysflushable]

how do you guys target drain cleaning jobs? i have several adds in the local phone books for plumber. i receive alot of calls for service work but rarely for drain cleaning. i bought a couple nice machines but they just sit in my shop. how do i put them to work? i would like to have them running non stop.

Get in good with other plumbers. All plumbers get drain cleaning calls. Just make sure you never ever steal a customer. I won't even leave a card when a plumber sends me on a job for drain cleaning or service. If the customer asks for a card I explain if they have a problem with the job I did feel free to call but anything else please call the plumber that sent me, and I still won't leave a card just my number on the bill if I'm billing them.

The only problem with drain cleaning for plumbers is the need for a camera and locating equipment. No need to call you if the job can't be inspected when needed. I tell plumbers "I spent all the money on video equipment for them not me or my customers".

My drain cleaning competion has good equipment. they do a good to great job depending on the guy they send out and they are cheap. To cheap, but we are making inroads.

Like Rick eluded to , being tough keeping all the drain cleaning stuff on the truck when it doesn't get used but to get to a job fast you have to. Fast might lead to more jobs until you prove your good enough to wait for.

The add in the drain cleaning section of the yellow pages does O.K for us .Good enough to keep it going.

I hope some of this helps

[DuckButter]

Get in good with other plumbers. All plumbers get drain cleaning calls. Just make sure you never ever steal a customer. I won't even leave a card when a plumber sends me on a job for drain cleaning or service. If the customer asks for a card I explain if they have a problem with the job I did feel free to call but anything else please call the plumber that sent me, and I still won't leave a card just my number on the bill if I'm billing them.


100% good business right there.
I don't do drain cleaning...been toying with the idea, but that is the #1 deterrent for guys like me to call a drain cleaner.
Getting that right out in the open & up front probably generates you alot of business.

[Crappy days]

100% good business right there.
I don't do drain cleaning...been toying with the idea, but that is the #1 deterrent for guys like me to call a drain cleaner.
Getting that right out in the open & up front probably generates you alot of business.

Duck , you definitely should invest in some drain cleaning equipment. 2 or 3 grand will get you all you need to clean drains properly. Not only will the equipment pay for itself quickly, but it Will also generate a lot of money in repairs.:groucho:

[DuckButter]

Duck , you definitely should invest in some drain cleaning equipment. 2 or 3 grand will get you all you need to clean drains properly. Not only will the equipment pay for itself quickly, but it Will also generate a lot of money in repairs.:groucho:
Yeah, I know...been chatting with several about it.
Friends say liability is also a concern, as far as damage to older exisitng plumbing & the obvious mess.
I'm always slow to leap without investigating, but at this point it's obvious your right.
Top that with my license and it's big leverage on repairs and versatility.
The number one problem I have is trying to decipher what the hell you drain guys are talking about with all the different machines, jetters, camera's cutting heads/blades & so on.

[Crappy days]

Yeah, I know...been chatting with several about it.
Friends say liability is also a concern, as far as damage to older exisitng plumbing & the obvious mess.
I'm always slow to leap without investigating, but at this point it's obvious your right.
Top that with my license and it's big leverage on repairs and versatility.
The number one problem I have is trying to decipher what the hell you drain guys are talking about with all the different machines, jetters, camera's cutting heads/blades & so on.


The liability risk are all waived in your contract. At least in my my contract they are. Once the customer signs, they acknowledge that any damage that occurs during the drain cleaning process is due to old or improper working plumbing. They take liability for the plumbing. I have had snakes get caught in the past due to this, next thing you know the customer is flipping there lid . I kindly remind them that they are paying me to get it out , because it would not have got caught if the system was in proper working order. Its all in the fine print buddy.:D

[DuckButter]

...... Its all in the fine print buddy.:D

Exactly, one of a few things that I'm mulling over is a printed contract & careful wording.
On plumbing jobs I always stipulate something for existing plumbing that could become damaged as a result of working on, or an inspector might call me on to repair/alter.
Another big variable is the right machine to start with, there are completely conflicting opinions here, so I may look into test marketing and renting several first to sample them.
(Yeessss Rick...I've read your thoughts on the K-60....over and over...has weight, but I'm stubborn and need to have "hands on" firsthand.)

[Crappy days]

Exactly, one of a few things that I'm mulling over is a printed contract & careful wording.
On plumbing jobs I always stipulate something for existing plumbing that could become damaged as a result of working on, or an inspector might call me on to repair/alter.
Another big variable is the right machine to start with, there are completely conflicting opinions here, so I may look into test marketing and renting several first to sample them.
(Yeessss Rick...I've read your thoughts on the K-60....over and over...has weight, but I'm stubborn and need to have "hands on" firsthand.)

I would start with the K 50. After you get use to cleaning secondary lines buy a good mainline machine. The K 60 is great however being back east and having to pull toilets on older homes , you will probably want a good drum machine. I have used Gorlitz for years however after using the Ridgid quick connect feature I would spend the extra money on a Ridgid.

With the K 50 you will be able to clean all residential drain lines 1 1/4" to 4". In 4" you will only be able to do soft blockages, however I know several guys who use the machine from roof vents on very small roots to. The nice thing is you get the feature of a drum for your smaller inside drain work and the light weight of the sectional machine for roof work. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Drain Medic]

Yeah, I know...been chatting with several about it.
Friends say liability is also a concern, as far as damage to older exisitng plumbing & the obvious mess.
I'm always slow to leap without investigating, but at this point it's obvious your right.
Top that with my license and it's big leverage on repairs and versatility.
The number one problem I have is trying to decipher what the hell you drain guys are talking about with all the different machines, jetters, camera's cutting heads/blades & so on.


Duck, my phone is always on you know that. Whenever you have a question about drain cleaning, just give me a call ;)

[Drain Medic]

how do you guys target drain cleaning jobs? i have several adds in the local phone books for plumber. i receive alot of calls for service work but rarely for drain cleaning. i bought a couple nice machines but they just sit in my shop. how do i put them to work? i would like to have them running non stop.


Im not in your shoes but heres what i did. I was strictly a drain cleaning company. Wanted no parts of plumbing. So i had a Master plumber that i would give all my plumbing calls to, and all my dig ups to. He in return gave me all his drain cleaning calls. My plumber and i merged as one company. Now we do both drain cleaning and plumbing. He still does all the plumbing, and i do all the drains still, but what works out well is, we help each other and make each money.

If you find a good drain cleaning only company, they should stay loyal to you and not take any of your customers. A good drain cleaning company will appreciate the work given to them by you, and you should recieve all the major plumbing jobs from them in return. Its a win win situation.

[Service Guy]

Im not in your shoes but heres what i did. I was strictly a drain cleaning company. Wanted no parts of plumbing. So i had a Master plumber that i would give all my plumbing calls to, and all my dig ups to. He in return gave me all his drain cleaning calls. My plumber and i merged as one company. Now we do both drain cleaning and plumbing. He still does all the plumbing, and i do all the drains still, but what works out well is, we help each other and make each money.

If you find a good drain cleaning only company, they should stay loyal to you and not take any of your customers. A good drain cleaning company will appreciate the work given to them by you, and you should recieve all the major plumbing jobs from them in return. Its a win win situation.

That sounds like a great deal. I am like your partner, I love plumbing, hate drain-cleaning. I need to find a drain-cleaner like you to partner up with around here eventually.
I am good at drain-cleaning, i just don't like the dirt, teh unpredictability and the $$$$expensive equipment required.
All I have is a smal hand-held rigdid drain-gun and really smal drum-machine which can do mainlines, but no roots.
I have to either suck it up and buy root-cutter machine and a camera, or find a drain-cleaner to work with.