Fix the Sprinkler System

[Fernando's CleanCut!]

Hi, everybody. Ok, heres where I stand. My biggest client called me monday and asked me if I can fix/repair the sprinkler system and he ask me if I can give him a stimate by the end of this week. Well, today I was by the house (3 btw) and here are the stats: *All damage was done by preview employer* First House: PUMP (flotec) doesnt work, I guess because they havent use it for a while, plus 5 broken sprinklers. Numero 2: 'bout 8-10 broken sprinklers, broken pvc pipe, 2 of the 4 Zones doesnt irrigate. Third house: 5 Broken sprinklers... but did not had the chance to test the Pump because no one was home. (ya, the other company really made I mess) ... I mean Im lost, I've change/fix broken sprinklers before, but how much should I charge for Labor? send a Total bill or by house? thank you guys in advance.

__________________
.Fernando/CleanCut!.
36\" Scag Kohler 15Hp Walk-Behind
Toro Trimmer
Echo PE-200 Edger
Stihl BG 55 Blower

Lawn care business tips

Hi Fernando, What you can do is seperate each house and the repairs for each house. (how I would do it). House #1; I would charge cost of pump and other parts times 1.85 then add your labor rate per hours needed to do the repairs. House #2; Check the controler by moving zones that are not working to one that you know do. If the problem follows then its not a controler problem it is with in the lines, check the regulator to see if it is opening and closeing properly, if it isn't some times they may need a shot of oil or lubricant to free them up from sitting or not used, hard water will cause these to seize up sometimes in the closed state and not work propely, Charge Time and materials for the repairs = your labor rate times (parts times 1.85). House #3; Same as above, test everything as a service call and charge for it. You should charge a call for each house that yo have looked at this far. for house 3 you need to go back and finish the servcies call befor eyou can charge for it. Your labor rate is what your area will allow, it could be anywhere from 45 to 65 per hour. Service calls should be the same per hour rate, and all you are to do in a service call is find the proplem make notes on it and complete and estimate for the repairs to be completed. Do you or have you used a air compressor to blow out lines? Hope this helps some. Good Luck Tim

[Fernando's CleanCut!]

wow, very good Tim, thanks.
I was kinda lost on how the water pump can be fix, but after reading the manual I think I can figure it out whats wrong, plus your tips I think I can fix it.
Next, the hour rate I was charging $50 per hour, so I was in between the rate.

ok, my quiestion is service calls is the same as making a stimate?
and no, I havent use an air compressor, I dont even know how that works.
I definitely have to research/study more about the sprinkler system.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Fernando's CleanCut! @ Jan. 13 2008,8:06)]ok, my quiestion is service calls is the same as making a stimate?
and no, I havent use an air compressor, I dont even know how that works.
I definitely have to research/study more about the sprinkler system.

No.. estimates are not services calls and services calls are not estimates. If this person called you to go to these places and see whats working and what isnt working then it is a service call and you should bill for the services. Writting an estimate for repairs is apart of the service call.

If your between rates on labor then you'll be fine.

Some systems have a pressure stem and you can connect a air compresser to it and blow out the lines, becareful not to put to much presssure on the lines.

[Fernando's CleanCut!]

Gotcha'!
Thank you Tim!