So...I'm committing to a new buisness

[simplicity]

In my mind you need 3 rigs to do a quick professional job.
A bathroom rig, a sink and floor drain rig, and of course
a main line rig. I've done this for a living before and I'm
curious about why some guys are so worried about having a
machine that does "everything".
(I've seen posts on the site that suggest this)
In my mind, to save the hassle of cable swapping and
poor machine perfomance, just buy the three machines
and save yourself the time and frustration in the name of saving a buck
on an extra machine. In order to run a buisness you'll need
at least the two. Why not buy the third and be complete?
I can't see loading a mid range machine with 1/2" cable to run a main,
or swapping cable down for a bathroom washbowl or tub.
To me it's time consuming and un-professional.
Tell me if need to be corrected on this line of thinking.:)

[PLUMBER RICK]

In my mind you need 3 rigs to do a quick professional job.
A bathroom rig, a sink and floor drain rig, and of course
a main line rig. I've done this for a living before and I'm
curious about why some guys are so worried about having a
machine that does "everything".
(I've seen posts on the site that suggest this)
In my mind, to save the hassle of cable swapping and
poor machine perfomance, just buy the three machines
and save yourself the time and frustration in the name of saving a buck
on an extra machine. In order to run a buisness you'll need
at least the two. Why not buy the third and be complete?
I can't see loading a mid range machine with 1/2" cable to run a main,
or swapping cable down for a bathroom washbowl or tub.
To me it's time consuming and un-professional.
Tell me if need to be corrected on this line of thinking.:)

simplicity, you need to read more than 1 day back:D

the debate here is if you only had 1 machine, what would it be and why?

we are having a roundup and a drain cleaning olympics. drum vrs. sectional.

if i told you i have well over 20 machines (drum and sectional) and i like my k-60 the most, do you get my point:confused:

there will be a quiz at the end of the week:clapping:

rick.

[Crappy days]

In my mind you need 3 rigs to do a quick professional job.
A bathroom rig, a sink and floor drain rig, and of course
a main line rig. I've done this for a living before and I'm
curious about why some guys are so worried about having a
machine that does "everything".
(I've seen posts on the site that suggest this)
In my mind, to save the hassle of cable swapping and
poor machine perfomance, just buy the three machines
and save yourself the time and frustration in the name of saving a buck
on an extra machine. In order to run a buisness you'll need
at least the two. Why not buy the third and be complete?
I can't see loading a mid range machine with 1/2" cable to run a main,
or swapping cable down for a bathroom washbowl or tub.
To me it's time consuming and un-professional.
Tell me if need to be corrected on this line of thinking.:)

I do not think anyone on the forum is committed to one rig. I just think we like to argue over which is the best overall machine. I myself have Over a dozen different drain cleaning machines. Currently I carry about four on my truck(although I have a large 14' step van) and still have room to spare.

I think as professionals we all can see the value in using different machines. I have a large drum machine for ground level C/O. I recently bought a new sectional to go on roofs with . After using the sectional I will never break down my mainline machine to carry on a roof again. However at this point I am still using my drum machine for mainline C/O. Depending on the drain and the issues it has I might use the sectional/Drum.

When I started drain cleaning over a decade ago I had two machines with multiple drums. I really could still clean lines with only two machines I prefer to have multiple choices depending on the drain/history.

[simplicity]

simplicity, you need to read more than 1 day back:D

the debate here is if you only had 1 machine, what would it be and why?

we are having a roundup and a drain cleaning olympics. drum vrs. sectional.

if i told you i have well over 20 machines (drum and sectional) and i like my k-60 the most, do you get my point:confused:

there will be a quiz at the end of the week:clapping:

rick.
I can tell that you know the buisness.
I really want to get down to the basics to make
a buisness "fly" as it were.
It's a venture my brother and I have talked about for years,
and now actually getting serious about.
We plan on having 2 outfitted vans covering the Milwaukie/Madison
area and points north.
We're both sick of our jobs.
He's a truck driver and I'm a machinist.
We were thinking it's a simple obtainable buisness
that we both have a background in.
Lets face it;
It's a job that nobody wants to do and relatively cheap start-up
costs as far as buinesses go.

When it comes to your quiz............

S++T flows downhill :twofinger2:

[Crappy days]

I can tell that you know the buisness.
I really want to get down to the basics to make
a buisness "fly" as it were.
It's a venture my brother and I have talked about for years,
and now actually getting serious about.
We plan on having 2 outfitted vans covering the Milwaukie/Madison
area and points north.
We're both sick of our jobs.
He's a truck driver and I'm a machinist.
We were thinking it's a simple obtainable buisness
that we both have a background in.
Lets face it;
It's a job that nobody wants to do and relatively cheap start-up
costs as far as buinesses go.

When it comes to your quiz............

S++T flows downhill :twofinger2:


Great way to start out in the forum,:twofinger2: to.

[Crappy days]

Nothing personal.........
Just trying to have a sense of humor..Sorry:smack-head:

No problem , just be carefull with these little smiley faces as they can be used to really get across a point. Anyhow:welcome:to the forum. I hope you enjoy it here and find it usefull for your venture.:thumbup2: Oh by the way I was only f......g with you.

[Cuda]

Well I can say I wish I had found this forum sooner as I have spent money on snakes that I no longer use or fight with anymore. The K60 is a great small package, it can go on roofs and into small crawl spaces. I think it does the work of 2 snakes and takes up little room in my van. I still use my big drum machine for mains but now I may start trying the k60 first just to see how it does. I will continue to use my big machine for the tough stuff. I was at first against the little toy looking thing but now it has it's place in my van. Still hate my little electric jetter though:rolleyes: And I traded in my general sink snake for the Ridgid k39-af and it was a great move the autofeed kicks *** and handles 50ft of cable. Another snake of mine gets retired

[simplicity]

No problem , just be carefull with these little smiley faces as they can be used to really get across a point. Anyhow:welcome:to the forum. I hope you enjoy it here and find it usefull for your venture.:thumbup2: Oh by the way I was only f......g with you.

I know it's a different economic climate out there,
but what's the going rate for main lines, tubs, and kitchen sinks ?

Around here it's about $85 for a main plus $50 for additional hourly labor,
and $45 for interior lines plus $30 for additional hourly labor.
(plus parts of course if needed)

[Cuda]

Yea there are big differances in prices around the country, in Seattle the low main rate is $200 and that's low, inside sinks and tubs min. is $100 no camera included or extra hard lines at these prices.

[Drain Medic]

I know it's a different economic climate out there,
but what's the going rate for main lines, tubs, and kitchen sinks ?

Around here it's about $85 for a main plus $50 for additional hourly labor,
and $45 for interior lines plus $30 for additional hourly labor.
(plus parts of course if needed)

What kind of experience do you have with drain cleaning?

Its sounds like you know business, but what about drain cleaning?

Starting a drain cleaning business is fine, but if youve never ran a machine before, your going to be in way over your head

As far as the different machines. Crappy and Rick said it perfect.

[simplicity]

No problem , just be carefull with these little smiley faces as they can be used to really get across a point. Anyhow:welcome:to the forum. I hope you enjoy it here and find it usefull for your venture.:thumbup2: Oh by the way I was only f......g with you.

What kind of experience do you have with drain cleaning?

Its sounds like you know business, but what about drain cleaning?

Starting a drain cleaning business is fine, but if youve never ran a machine before, your going to be in way over your head

As far as the different machines. Crappy and Rick said it perfect.
It has been a while, but I did it for a living right out of high
school. I posted more details in another Topic/thread.

[Drain Medic]

It has been a while, but I did it for a living right out of high
school. I posted more details in another Topic/thread.


Ya sorry, i saw that. I didnt read your posts in order:D

[wizzy]

It makes a big difference on where you live and what you can charge. I see you live in Wisconsin and here in Green Bay a main line cleaning is $95 while sinks and tubs are $75.Most customers want a flat rate so that is what they get. As for machines I use a K-750,k-380 & k-39 on the k-750 I use a 3/4" Duracable with a flex 2' leader. I have to give Rick the credit for my change in cable as before I used Ridgid 5/8 which was way to light for the tought jobs. Rick loves the K60 but where he works most cleanouts are outside but here 99% are in the basement and half the time the basements are finnished so not sure how easy it would be to keep every thing clean?

[simplicity]

It makes a big difference on where you live and what you can charge. I see you live in Wisconsin and here in Green Bay a main line cleaning is $95 while sinks and tubs are $75.Most customers want a flat rate so that is what they get. As for machines I use a K-750,k-380 & k-39 on the k-750 I use a 3/4" Duracable with a flex 2' leader. I have to give Rick the credit for my change in cable as before I used Ridgid 5/8 which was way to light for the tought jobs. Rick loves the K60 but where he works most cleanouts are outside but here 99% are in the basement and half the time the basements are finnished so not sure how easy it would be to keep every thing clean?
When it comes to your machines, I concurr.
I found a deal on a 380/750 package with extras for $2100
What's the retail on these things?
That's ultimateley what I was looking for when I found this site.

[stxrus]

i have a K-39, k-50, & K-75 in my van. i'll be getting a K-60 (for those hard to get to spots) and a camera system this year

steve

[Jay6]

Is anyone carrying a sectional machine? We've sold drums for sometime but never really sold many sectionals. People very rarely ever ask about them and we don't do too many repairs on them either. I guess I'm missing the advantages a sectional would have over a drum.

[stxrus]

Is anyone carrying a sectional machine? We've sold drums for sometime but never really sold many sectionals. People very rarely ever ask about them and we don't do too many repairs on them either. I guess I'm missing the advantages a sectional would have over a drum.

FWIW, i get a lot of my stuff from North State. sectionals are my personal preference.

steve

[aero1]

we use and love or k400,k50s, k75s,and k1500s,great versatility and power,and that is a beautiful thing

[AFM]

On reading this thread it could only happen in the U.S. that Joe Bloggs off the street can start up a drain cleaning business, as you have to be a Licensed Plumber who has done a plumbing apprenticeship and have the experience to touch sewers where I live.


Regards
Tony:rotflmao1:

[Gene Bickford]

WELL... It has been a while since the license VS no license debate.
Who would like to go first?

[plumberscrack]

NNNNOOOO!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

[aero1]

cant we all just get along.:have-fun:

[All Clear Sewer]

I say that you should have to have a license ;) BTW I now have one city license and working on my masters for the other city and I`m just a sewer rat :rant-on:

:trash-him: <------Roto Rooter

[simplicity]

On reading this thread it could only happen in the U.S. that Joe Bloggs off the street can start up a drain cleaning business, as you have to be a Licensed Plumber who has done a plumbing apprenticeship and have the experience to touch sewers where I live.


Regards
Tony:rotflmao1:
Australians have indoor plumbing? :D
Drain cleaning for the most part is pretty elementary.
It's not like I've never done it before.
And yes ONLY IN AMERICA
:party-time:

[All Clear Sewer]

if it`s so elementary I wonder why most people cant do it ? There's more to being a sewer guy then just sticking a cable down a C/O or at least if you work for me that is ;) If you don't know plumbing or how to read a print you should step-a-way and leave it to a guy that knows what he`s doing.

[simplicity]

WELL... It has been a while since the license VS no license debate.
Who would like to go first?

I'LL TAKE A CRACK AT THIS ONE.

I think the questions are, how much damage can you really do
cleaning a line?

And, are you doing installation that requires following code?

I can see where if a guy were to disturb some
old plumbing and opened up the proverbial can of worms,
and would have to do some major repairs. And even then
we're talking replacement of existing parts on drainage.
And if this case does occurr, because of cleaning,
it needed to be replaced anyway.
(wether you're a licensed plumber or not)
Supply lines on the hand are much more critical in the sense
that there should be some assurance that these lines
will seal, original install is up to code,
and the related components are properly installed.
(hot water heaters, dishwashers, environmental units, etc.)
As long as local, state and federal standards are followed,
I don't see where a person would need to be a journeyman.
As long as you're insured and O.K.'d to do buisness
it's up to you if you're going to sink or swim.
No matter what it is, if a guy does poor work on something
he'll weed himself out and the game will continue.
This is about as analytical as I can get.

[simplicity]

if it`s so elementary I wonder why most people cant do it ? There's more to being a sewer guy then just sticking a cable down a C/O or at least if you work for me that is ;) If you don't know plumbing or how to read a print you should step-a-way and leave it to a guy that knows what he`s doing.

I'm not completely green.
I can read prints, do repairs, and analyze situations.
I just haven't done it for a while.
And if I were really an incompetent, I would step away.
I by no means have the arrogance to say I know more than
the most of you guys but I feel I know enough to start,
and if need be, respectfuly refer a customer to another service.
I'd rather let people think I'm an idiot than show 'em I'm an idiot.
My skills will only get better with time and perseverence.

[JCsPlumbing]

Point/Counterpoint. I've worked with licensed plumbers that weren't very good at plumbing. I've worked with unlicensed people that were great at plumbing but just could not pass the test. Are you qualified? I don't know. Every certified machinist I've known is pretty intelligent.
But I think people with licenses general complaint is that we are held to a higher degree of accountability than unlicensed people. I don't care if your insured, ethical, etc. Without the license the accountability is not as prevalent. So you SHOULD be required to obtain the qualifications that all others have for accountability, equal competition, safety etc. In my area we are encouraged to report any unlicensed person engaging in plumbing contracting. And almost ANYTHING can fall under this category. Yes, removing the toilet. Yes, installing a cleanout. On and on. Don't want to discourage you. As you've read on this forum, licensed plumbers can be some of the most helpful people you will encounter. So I encourage you to join us. Get your license.:)

[simplicity]

Point/Counterpoint. I've worked with licensed plumbers that weren't very good at plumbing. I've worked with unlicensed people that were great at plumbing but just could not pass the test. Are you qualified? I don't know. Every certified machinist I've known is pretty intelligent.
But I think people with licenses general complaint is that we are held to a higher degree of accountability than unlicensed people. I don't care if your insured, ethical, etc. Without the license the accountability is not as prevalent. So you SHOULD be required to obtain the qualifications that all others have for accountability, equal competition, safety etc. In my area we are encouraged to report any unlicensed person engaging in plumbing contracting. And almost ANYTHING can fall under this category. Yes, removing the toilet. Yes, installing a cleanout. On and on. Don't want to discourage you. As you've read on this forum, licensed plumbers can be some of the most helpful people you will encounter. So I encourage you to join us. Get your license.:)

I completely agree, but in due time.
I want to test the water.(no pun intended)
I know the integrity of the industry as a whole
needs to be taken into account also. I know one
bad serviceman can cast a shadow that goes
all the way to the horizon and ruins it for everyone.
(or at least causes a lot of skepticism to the public).
I would love to, some time down the road get the
bonified plumbers license.
Even if just for buisness crudentials.
For now I just want to keep it as simple as possible.
Hence "simplicity".
Maybe I'll find myself having to anyway.
I'm still at the berthing stage.
I still haven't checked all the codes, covenants and by-laws.

[All Clear Sewer]

The big key to making it in business is to be able to analyze situations and knowing how to fix em. With out a plumbing back ground you wont be offering a good service and may find yourself deep in $hit some day :banghead:

Oh and "GET YOUR SHOTS"!!!!!!

[simplicity]

The big key to making it in business is to be able to analyze situations and knowing how to fix em. With out a plumbing back ground you wont be offering a good service and may find yourself deep in $hit some day :banghead:

Oh and "GET YOUR SHOTS"!!!!!!

You can't tell me that at some point in time,
even the best of 'em got stuck with something
they couldn't figure out or had issues with.
It's just part of the job altogether.
My capacity for analisys is above the
common bar. I know for the most part
what's out there for parts to repair
and replace your average plumbing.
I learned the craft,(I don't want to call it a trade,
as drain cleaning is more of a talent than a science),
from my Dad, and a very successful small buisness owner.
I cleaned drains from the time I was 14 until I was 22.
There after I put myself through tech school
to be a machinist while working as a
line cook in area restaraunts.(Dad never offered a dime)
Now I'm sick of being a machinist.
(I'm actually really good at it)
The reason I quit drain cleaning was I hated my Dad.
(he was a career Roto-Rooter man R.I.P.)
I can't remember how many times his pager went off
in the middle of night and I could here it through my
bedroom door and without thought, get dressed
and make coffee to go help him handle his midnight emergecies.
He almost literally jammed cable down my throat.
(he was even on Roto-Rooter billboards in the Mpls. area)
As soon as I was old enough to drive, I quit school and
started working the industrial division doing pumping,
steaming, and jetting.(nepetism rules)
Roto-Rooter management was just waiting for this to happen.
They knew my Dad had me hooked into the job.
I went from honor roll student, to high school drop out, to the
TOP OF THE $HIT CHAIN OVERNIGHT!
(and bottom of my dignity)
Who wants to be 17 yrs. old and tell their friends
"I clean sewers"
I'm not stupid to the craft, I'm just a little rusty.:turtle:

[AFM]

Simplicity

Yes your right we in Australia live in tents and ride kangaroos but at least our governments know that civilizations are built on fresh drinking water and the safe disposal and treatment of sewerage waste and that one has to be qualified to be a plumber.
You can argue all you wish and be the greatest sewer machine operator of all time but but you are not a licensed plumber and judging by your arguement you wish to take the short cut and laugh at the work all the qualified members of this forum have put in over the years to become licensed plumbers.

Well I have to run now as my kangaroo is waiting he says hi and the your name suits you.

Regards
Tony

[Josh]

I can sense the love in this thread

[All Clear Sewer]

I would consider myself to be one of the better drain guy`s as I have a long background in waste Maintenance such as I was installing sewers at the young age of 17. I carry an Apprentice Plumbing License for the city I live in and a Plumbing License for another city. I`m working on my master plumbing license for my city so I can better service my customers. I have been in plumbing for a long time and like what I`m doing. I to this day have never had a sewer I couldn`t clear or repair. I don't know what your getting at?

You quit because you said you hated your dad, hummmm
Roto Rooter in this town is a big joke knocking access holes in sewers. I have replaced 4 sewers this year that had at least 6 holes in the top that were knocked in em for access. That there is the number one reason I say a sewer guy should have to be Licensed! There are many other reasons but that is one of the big problems I see daily. When people call you out they already think your a plumber, they will ask you to do other things and you will do em when you are hungry and want to pay a few bills.

Today's sewer cleaning involves more then just sticking a cable down a sewer. Yes there are still a few cable stickers left but they are being replaced with guy`s like myself that can analyze situations and repair. Now days if you don't have a camera and know what you are looking at you wont last long in the business.

So I must ask,
why do you want to get back in to playing in peoples crap again? Is it the money that you think you can make or is it the long hours, no weekend off`s, or the calls at 3:00am.

You may think you are up to the task and ready to try and take business from the other cleaners but beware you have a lot to learn as plumbing changes every 10 years or so ;)
Good Luck and GET YOUR SHOTS!!!! We lost a sewer cleaner a few years a go ;)

[Josh]

Good Luck and GET YOUR SHOTS!!!! We lost a sewer cleaner a few years a go ;)

Oh yeah.. and keep your mouth closed.. Right Rick :D

[All Clear Sewer]

Oh yeah.. and keep your mouth closed.. Right Rick :D

http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/puke/repuke.gif

[Service Guy]

I would consider myself to be one of the better drain guy`s as I have a long background in waste Maintenance such as I was installing sewers at the young age of 17. I carry an Apprentice Plumbing License for the city I live in and a Plumbing License for another city. I`m working on my master plumbing license for my city so I can better service my customers. I have been in plumbing for a long time and like what I`m doing. I to this day have never had a sewer I couldn`t clear or repair. I don't know what your getting at?

You quit because you said you hated your dad, hummmm
Roto Rooter in this town is a big joke knocking access holes in sewers. I have replaced 4 sewers this year that had at least 6 holes in the top that were knocked in em for access. That there is the number one reason I say a sewer guy should have to be Licensed! There are many other reasons but that is one of the big problems I see daily. When people call you out they already think your a plumber, they will ask you to do other things and you will do em when you are hungry and want to pay a few bills.

Today's sewer cleaning involves more then just sticking a cable down a sewer. Yes there are still a few cable stickers left but they are being replaced with guy`s like myself that can analyze situations and repair. Now days if you don't have a camera and know what you are looking at you wont last long in the business.

So I must ask,
why do you want to get back in to playing in peoples crap again? Is it the money that you think you can make or is it the long hours, no weekend off`s, or the calls at 3:00am.

You may think you are up to the task and ready to try and take business from the other cleaners but beware you have a lot to learn as plumbing changes every 10 years or so ;)
Good Luck and GET YOUR SHOTS!!!! We lost a sewer cleaner a few years a go ;)

Good post. I am with ya.:bravo:

[PLUMBER RICK]

Oh yeah.. and keep your mouth closed.. Right Rick :D

that's for jetting;)

not for the forum:eek:

and it was only a drop.

rick.

[Crappy days]

Simplicity,

I can appreciate that you believe this type of career is easy and that it does not take a brain surgeons degree (or whatever the saying is ). Let me tell you about the guy I met a week ago who felt the same way. I received a call on Saturday around noon , the gentlemen asked if I had sewer camera equipment. Of course, I said and asked what he needed.

He told me he was a general contractor that was trying to clear the main for one of his customers. In the process of snaking the line through the closet bend he broke it , yes the cast iron closet bend and the snake. After camering the line i could see he broke off about 4' of cable in the line. He did not even know he broke the cast iron.

The thing that pissed me off the most is he wanted me to retrieve the cable and forgo telling the home owner about the broken pipe. Well, needless to say I told the home owner the truth and gave her a price to repair it. I still have not received a call back from the home owner. At this point I believe it serves them both right .

The home owner was looking for a deal from a cheap Mexican contractor with illegal helpers. And the contractor was bidding the job way below market prices because he thought cleaning a drain was so easy. The contractor also installed a single dual directional C/O which is a big no no in my area.
When I left that day I over heard the contractor telling the home owner that he would have to jack hammer the footing in order to retrieve the broken cable. This simple job turned into a mess because the numb nut had no clue what he was doing.

If he would have had experience, he would have known never to snake the line through the closet bend with the snake he rented from Home Depot. He definitely would have stopped long before he broke the cable. I think if he knew what he was doing , he would have snake the line through the 4" roof vent. Especially with the machine he rented.

This simple job would have cost 285.00 if I had been called first. Now I am sure it is going to end up costing the home owner far more than they even knew. Anyhow , my hole point is do not portray yourself or the trade as if anyone can do it. In the long run your customers, friends and family will believe what you do is not important or valuable. They will not value you or your service in the future.

I am not saying to be arrogant, just firm in your desire to portray drain cleaners/plumbers in a good light. Sorry to give you an ear full. I am just getting sick of all the people who do not value what we do as professionals. I am not saying your intent was to be little or speak ill of the trade . It just kind of sounds that way.

[DuckButter]

17 years ago I was a machinist.
I did it for 3 years.
Mainly CNC lathes (with Fanuc controls), I worked for a small shop that specialized in high tolerance military parts for guidance systems and was able to accelerate as fast as I could learn.
In that trade you learn to think in math, every movement is a mathematical location in X, Y or Z.
You have to be able to think of all three dimensions as well as other variables like temperature, alloy, cutting material type all at the same time to be good at the job.
I was so accustomed to thinking in math that I could go grocery shopping with my then girlfriend and add the bill in my head as we went.
I was usually within pennies when I hadn't added it right.
The overall job requires a sense of contrrol, determination and confidence in the predictable nature of the machinery & materials you work with.

I left and got into plumbing because I felt the pay really wasn't that great in machining comparative to the skill level.

When I started in plumbing I had the same bravado thinking as I did as a machinist.
It took about a month as an apprentice to decimate that thinking.

I was knocked down once I learned that plumbing had little or no predictability like machining did...all the math in the world couldn't tell me what to do when there's a broken galvy line inside a wall and all I can see is wetness on the ceiling below.

[Service Guy]

I love those stories crappy. They partly make me mad, but in that case I agree that the homeowner deserved what they got for hiring an unlicensed, unprofessional drain-cleaner.
I have been doing plumbing service and drain-cleaning for over 10 years now and I still run into problems that are very difficult for me to solve. Stopped up Drains especially are a big unknown when going into a job. Sometimes they're easy, sometimes they are a nightmare. The biggest sewer-cleaning job I ever did started out as a simple commercial cable job through the closet drain.....ended being a $14,000 job involving lots of camera-work, jetting and excavation....long story.
I came in after some other hack who tied to cable it, couldn't do it, gave them a bill and left. It turns out there were large amounts of cemented rock debris in the drain!!! Video-cameras and jetters are a must nowadays to be competitive and give your customers full-service.

[All Clear Sewer]

I always tell my master plumber that nothing is hard or difficult, It`s that some things may take a little longer. He always looks up at me with a BIG SMILE :D

I thrive on the jobs that most people get pissed about. Gives me a sense of being of service to someone, not just a cable sticker or a pipe threader.

Service plumbing is a blast if you make it that way. I`m a big cut-up on the job and make the day go pretty fast. My helpers always like working with me. I told a lady today she might think about using a stool softener :shrug: after she asked my why her WC was always plugging up....rotflmao
she bout fell over.
My customers seem to love my joking with em :D

[gear junkie]

The biggest sewer-cleaning job I ever did started out as a simple commercial cable job through the closet drain.....ended being a $14,000 job involving lots of camera-work, jetting and excavation....long story. I got time to read. Don't keep us in suspense.

[Service Guy]

Large industrial building with office space and stone-cutting factory. the small office called with the problem, another guy had already tried cabling it through the closet and gave up. I tried to cable it multiple times but it kept backing up. black & white camera showed unknown debris that we were just stirring around. Finally quit late at night and came back next day. The line ran under a slab several hundred feet along the length of the building. Camera and locators showed the problem was in the next office space. We went in there and it was a granite cutting shop that had made their own illegal drains that deposited the water-slurry from stone-cutting directly into the sanitary system. Color-video from multiple floor cleanouts showed colored stone-deposits all throughout the main building drain. Cabling and jetting only moved them around, but the debris wouldn't flow.
We finally came up with a solution. We did a difficult line-location outside the building and finally found the outside drain, excavated to it and cut open the drain. We did multiple passes upstream with a 4000psi USjetter and we used a back-flusher nozzle and slowly pulled it back dragging the stone debris out into a bucket. After several passes, we filled a 5 gallon bucket with stone debris as 'evidence'. We then repaired the drain with two cleanout tees in each direction and back-filled. The job took several days of trouble-shooting, camera work, locating and excavation, repair, etc.
I don't remember what the final bill was honesty, but it was thousands. We warned we would not guarantee the work until the stone-cutting company installed proper code-required sedimentary traps and stopped sending their slurry directly into teh building drain.
The owner of the building took a long time to pay becasue he was trying to get the stone-factory to pay half and they refused!!! We should have reported that place to the local inspection department. I think we finally got paid in full, I worked for a Mr. rooter company at the time.

[kernow]

In my mind you need 3 rigs to do a quick professional job.
A bathroom rig, a sink and floor drain rig, and of course
a main line rig. I've done this for a living before and I'm
curious about why some guys are so worried about having a
machine that does "everything".
(I've seen posts on the site that suggest this)
In my mind, to save the hassle of cable swapping and
poor machine perfomance, just buy the three machines
and save yourself the time and frustration in the name of saving a buck
on an extra machine. In order to run a buisness you'll need
at least the two. Why not buy the third and be complete?
I can't see loading a mid range machine with 1/2" cable to run a main,
or swapping cable down for a bathroom washbowl or tub.
To me it's time consuming and un-professional.
Tell me if need to be corrected on this line of thinking.:)
Hi there
my story goes like this....we sold our house 4 years ago to start up on my own.I had a jetter built,bought camera unit, 100 x 3ft. rods,and a K39 (5/16 &3/8"),and a K60 with 5/8 & 7/8" cables. The jetter stays at home for 90% of my jobs(which I tow with a thirsty L200 double cab pick-up) and most jobs are now done in a 3yr. old 1248cc. Combo panelvan(small) as the price of fuel here in Cornwall-UK topping £1.20 PER LITRE.Anyway both rigid machines and 70 rods in the small van are super-cheap to run and theres very few that I cannot clear with this fuel saving unit.One more thing before I go,all I have to do when I want to swap from 5/8 to 7/8" cables,is turn the adaptor on the front of the machine or vice-versa its very handy.My K-39 ,fitted with 5/16" cable came with interchangable drum of heavier 3/8"(so-called free) which I hav'nt used in 4 1/2yrs. since bought
regards Gary (Cornwall UK)

[rooter-mania]

Just thought I add my 2 cents.... Just like any start-up service business you must set yourself apart from the others, be the shiny nickel among a bunch of dull pennies. Granted Drain Cleaning is not rocket science..... You can get yourself in deep sh*t :eek: fast if your not careful... but more importantly it's about the customer satisfaction!!!!! Your customers are the ones that are going to make you or break you.

I started out in drain cleaning in the early 80's working for my Uncle after being laid off as a computer tech (anyone out there ever heard of the 8080 microprocessor) and have made many mistakes along the way, but on the same token have learned from those mistakes..... no business is built over night..... it takes years of sacrifice and dedication... but if you stick to it.... it will pay off... I encourage you and others to take the plunge... Somebody's got to give the Roto-Rooters, Mr Rooters a good run for the money.

Best of luck to you,;)

Scott

[appletondrain]

mains her are going for $89.99 and up during the day, and night and weekends start at $250.00 and hour across the board for anything.
these are not my prices but one of my biggest competitors.
most of my calls start at $55.00 for a 1/2 hour and go up.
I still retain a full time job and do service calls as well. I average around 65-80 hours a week between both
40-50 form the day job and 15-40 doing service calls.
As for the license her in Wisconsin. You do not need one but, if you so much as remove a trap or a toilet you can be in deep dodo.
I have had a few conversation with one of the states plumbing inspectors for Wisconsin. he had told me as long as you do not break a trap, toilet or install something that is not code, they wouldn't really pres the issue. as for installing anything the only thing that is expectable but not allowed is installing a clean out on smaller internal runs. like a 1 1/2" or a 2" for a sink line or what not.
one more thing is to be insured for what you are doing. I also have a master plumber that I can and have called in on job that require more precise work and a license.