On Sewer Cameras

gitnerdun

So now that I have invested in a camera and locator, how to sell my customers on using it?

Just wondering what other plumbers are doing to make sure that the cameras pay for themselves and don't just gather dust. I use it whenever possible, but would like to do more.

K2

When I purchase a property I don't care about too much except the condition of sewer and the water line. I can pretty much see and handle anything else but faulty sewer and water lines would be a major expense that should be anticipated ahead of time .

Might be a marketing point.

My guy always hands me the video and says "When your in the mood for a dirty movie"

Could be another marketing point.

Soon google satellite will be able to zoom in and go down down your 4 inch stack.

Double-A

If you do any advertising, you might add something like "The city will not locate personally owned utilities, like your water service and sewer line. Before you dig, call us to locate these private utilities for you."

Also, make sure you tell the remodel contractors in your area you can now do locating. Its nice to find the sewer before your backhoe operator does.

As far as current clients, work with your drain cleaner. He is the one that will be needing these services the most. If you have a client with a recurring stoppage, offer to camera the line and locate the real problem.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

gitnerdun

All good stuff. Keep it comin'. I am my drain cleaner

Double-A

When I was in the field as a service plumber, we charged for locating lines, unless it was part of a larger job, such as service or sewer line replacement.

We made up a magnet that said "New garden? New pool? Call to locate your private utilities before you dig for that next project."

It had our number on it. We used to give those out to homeowners on service calls. We got several calls for locating from it. Just explain that some "One Call" or "Dig Safe" organizations do not locate homeowner owned utility lines.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

a1plumbingyakim

offer other plumbers discounts for location of sewer on slab on grade construction?? remodels and such. tenant improvements at the mall we were always wondering where exactly that line was.
in your ad "video inspection of your sewer"
OBGYN DIY.

747

advertise in the yellow pages you do sewer routing and have a camera. "See the problem before we start". I'm assuming because your a plumber you do have a roto router or what ever the technical name is. Oh that one guy posted a while back you just include in the price as a diagnositic(spelling) charge.