what about a flat monthly rate a one time set up fee? could be more appealing than an hourly rate pitch
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If I were to have someone set up a planted aquarium for me, the idea of a straight set up fee and then a monthly fee after that appeals to me more than an hourly fee. I have seen too many rip-offs of hourly workers (I'm not saying that you would do that) and that might not set as well. I guess a lot would depend on how much stuff is needed for a set up and how much is needed for maintenance. I would love to do something like that as well someday, if I could get anyone down here where I live to get on board.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
+1.
^ not gonna work. Like fshfanatic says, it all depends on the tank.
In my free time, I maintain tanks. I charge less for short tanks than I do for taller tanks. Trimming at 32" tall tank is a PITA. So is cleaning it, wiping it, planting it, vacuuming the gravel in it...
Some people are pretty anal and will call you if even one thing looks out of place. You'll have to visit these people more often. Others will ask me not to come by...and then pay me anyways.
I just tell them to call for quotes. Then when I come, I'll take a look at everything:
**1) Owner expectations
2) Tank dimensions
3) Equipment - what do they have? What do they need? What's the maintenance on the equipment?
4) Proximity to a sink/faucet. Running 60 feet of tubing for a Python for a WC is NOT fun. Having the wrong faucet adapter is even WORSE.
It's all case-by-case for the initial setup estimate. However, there are a few things that are somewhat standard:
1) $$$ per gallon of water changed. Not per WC, but per gallon of water changed. Estimate 25% a week, multiply by 4 to get a monthly estimate for them for WCs.
2) Include say, 2x 15 minute visits a month to check on the setup for them...canister, CO2, lighting schedules, etc...Anything else over that is charged an extra fee.
Good luck! Oh, and a perk is that all the plants you trim are yours.
Thanks for the input, but it doesn't work that way I know that much. Its generally standard hourly rates and a base rate or a monthly rate. The more done doesn't exactly equal more pay in maintenance but the longer it takes to do it the more you're paid.
WC is under the maintenance cost
Testing water is a regular thing takes like 10 mins tops (also included)
Trimming is maintenance which is included
They pay exact market prices for everything in the tank, none of that is covered unless specified.
Sick fish means I should have QTed them or the Client should have, so I most likely will not be able to charge them for it, more like loose money on them:icon_lol:
Teaching the person how much to feed... Takes a few minuets, if more I would have them buy an automatic feeder:icon_wink
Hight is something I forgot to take into consideration while writing my plan. Would you say after like 20'' tanks its another flat fee per hour added on? Like IDK $10? Depending on the exact tank it may be less/more but a rough estimate is around there?
I understand what you mean by that with the customers. The first thing I'll be doing once I start this "business venture" is get a cell phone :icon_lol: Maybe even put it on vibrate to have on me in school if any emergency happened:icon_lol: Maybe instruct them to text me if thats the case... Who knows.
What do you mean? Call other maintenance companies for quotes? Or you for a quote?
Its a good point about the faucet, I'll have to take that into consideration as well.
Equipment will always be paid for by them because I'm mostly maintenance and unless specified originally thats what they're paying me for.
1) Excellent Idea this is more of the type of thing I needed help on. Thank you!It's all case-by-case for the initial setup estimate. However, there are a few things that are somewhat standard:
1) $$$ per gallon of water changed. Not per WC, but per gallon of water changed. Estimate 25% a week, multiply by 4 to get a monthly estimate for them for WCs.
2) Include say, 2x 15 minute visits a month to check on the setup for them...canister, CO2, lighting schedules, etc...Anything else over that is charged an extra fee.
Good luck! Oh, and a perk is that all the plants you trim are yours.
2) Is that for a plan that is by the month? Or even if its by the hour? If month, yes that makes sense. If by hour it doesn't make too much sense IMO.
I actually have addressed the extra plant clippings in my business plan already :icon_wink
Thanks for the luck, I'll be needing it!
-Andrew
I would call around like he said. It should be a pretty decent indicator of what companies are charging in your area.
Personally, I would stick with a flat rate (per hour) concept. Knowing what other companies are charging in your area, I would come in slightly lower than average so that you have the best competitive costs. When you think about it, why would you charge less for a smaller tank than a larger tank when it comes to something like a water change? The concept and procedure is the same, but one takes longer than the other. A flat hourly rate would be "fair" for all customers. I would also think that this would apply to scaping a 90 gallon tank vs a 75. It would be harder to work in the 90 because of the height, hence more time spent even though the footprint is basically the same.
The only time I would change this is if someone had a tank that was extremely difficult to work with like a 150 high or something. There again, I would probably just adjust the hourly rate to compensate for the more difficult working condition.
As far as your company name goes, I would keep it or go with something that starts with A through mabye E. The reason for this is telephone listings in the phone book. A name that has the highest alphabetical listing has the first listing and it is something to keep in mind. Most people tend to go with the first couple of listings in the phone book, and this leads to more business in general.
I am sure that you have thought about this, but would you have business liability insurance and bonding? I would hate to see you pay $20,000 out of your own pocket for accidently cracking a 200 gallon tank and destroying flooring, furniture, and the tank/stand. I would also look into safety requirements prior to working on a customer's tank. I would hate to see you cause an accidental leak or something that lead to a fire, death, etc. because there was and unsafe electrical condition prior to your work.
Good luck and keep us updated. I am always jealous of the people that go into business for themselves and do what they love.
Thats what I figured and what I wrote:thumbsup: Thanks!
Yup I will be calling around soon. Maybe monday.I would call around like he said. It should be a pretty decent indicator of what companies are charging in your area.
Personally, I would stick with a flat rate (per hour) concept. Knowing what other companies are charging in your area, I would come in slightly lower than average so that you have the best competitive costs. When you think about it, why would you charge less for a smaller tank than a larger tank when it comes to something like a water change? The concept and procedure is the same, but one takes longer than the other. A flat hourly rate would be "fair" for all customers. I would also think that this would apply to scaping a 90 gallon tank vs a 75. It would be harder to work in the 90 because of the height, hence more time spent even though the footprint is basically the same.
The only time I would change this is if someone had a tank that was extremely difficult to work with like a 150 high or something. There again, I would probably just adjust the hourly rate to compensate for the more difficult working condition.
As far as your company name goes, I would keep it or go with something that starts with A through mabye E. The reason for this is telephone listings in the phone book. A name that has the highest alphabetical listing has the first listing and it is something to keep in mind. Most people tend to go with the first couple of listings in the phone book, and this leads to more business in general.
I am sure that you have thought about this, but would you have business liability insurance and bonding? I would hate to see you pay $20,000 out of your own pocket for accidently cracking a 200 gallon tank and destroying flooring, furniture, and the tank/stand. I would also look into safety requirements prior to working on a customer's tank. I would hate to see you cause an accidental leak or something that lead to a fire, death, etc. because there was and unsafe electrical condition prior to your work.
Good luck and keep us updated. I am always jealous of the people that go into business for themselves and do what they love.
As for insurance I will not carry insurance because for one it cuts most if not all profits and I wont need it. I will however probably have a lawyer neighbor help me to write up a contract that makes me not liable for any possible damage. Later on I may change into a LLC but it will be started as a sole proprietorship.
No reason to be jelous, at the time being I don't have a car so the maintenance is more of a project for DECA opposed to a great business venture.:icon_roll
It will be Fresh water and terrariums. Salt is not my ball game and many other people have much much much more experience in that side of the hobby than me.
Insurance is not going to be needed hopefully. If for some reason it is, this will never happen:icon_roll .
Thanks,
-Andrew
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