Low Cost Drain Cleaning... Deal or Bait and Switch??? You decide
Have you heard the deals? $99.00 to clear any drain - $89.00 drain cleaning specials - $79.00 to clear your drains - $49.50 - $34.99 and so on. Heck, there are even companies that have embedded low price drain cleaning slogans on their actual trucks, and company names. Great for the consumers, right? NOT!
For starters, many of these "drain specials" come with hidden restrictions such as there must be an accessible cleanout, the line can't be longer than 100 ft., the work must be performed during normal work hours, etc. etc.
This is where the problem begins! The consumer has no idea the so called "specials" come with varying restrictions, and immediately feel betrayed by misleading advertising. Or, once the drain cleaner hits your door the dreaded high pressure sales pitch starts.
So, how can a company promote such "low prices" for drain cleaning services and actually stand by their advertising? The simple answer is THEY CAN'T... Strike That! They can, but they won't be in business very long.
Allow me to explain: the average cost per lead (or customer) is $50.00 on up to $350.00 per lead. So let's go with the conservative number of $50.00. Right out the gate, one can see where a company who promotes anything under $50.00 is already losing money and requires a desperate scheme to make up the difference SOMEWHERE! Guess where?
Ok, I shall digress... So, the lead costs $50.00 Now let's add on the rest.
- There is gas involved - call it $5.00 per lead (conservatively)
- Office staff/overhead - call it $15.00 per lead (this cost obviously varies from company to company)
- There is the actual plumber's pay - call it $24.00 per hour (the State of California Industrial Welfare Commission has determined $24.00 per hr. to be the going rate for a competent plumber)
- There are payroll taxes, workman compensation, and other benefits to pay (assuming the company promoting such low prices actually pays taxes and has workman's compensation) one would assume so but, its best to actually check and verify such. Let's add another $15.00 as a conservative number on the taxes/benefits side.
- Lastly, any company doing business would definitely like to make a profit, otherwise what's the point, right? Let's say 10% profit margin
So, in adding the hard costs we have $50.00 plus, $5.00 plus, plus $24.00 (assuming from start to finish the job only required 1 hour - not likely, if good service is involved), and $15.00 of which equals $94.00 ADD to that a 10% profit margin and we end up at $103.40 ...
Funny that we come up with $103.40. In 1988 the going rate to clear a main sewer line was $100.00 and that was 25 years ago!
So, where is the money going to be made?
How can a company advertising to clear your drain for $35.00 stay in business if they can't turn a profit?
I strongly recommend you take the time to research the online reviews of every plumbing service company you're considering. Save yourself some time and frustration and don't be fooled.
By Anthony Pouliot
Have you heard the deals? $99.00 to clear any drain - $89.00 drain cleaning specials - $79.00 to clear your drains - $49.50 - $34.99 and so on. Heck, there are even companies that have embedded low price drain cleaning slogans on their actual trucks, and company names. Great for the consumers, right? NOT!
For starters, many of these "drain specials" come with hidden restrictions such as there must be an accessible cleanout, the line can't be longer than 100 ft., the work must be performed during normal work hours, etc. etc.
This is where the problem begins! The consumer has no idea the so called "specials" come with varying restrictions, and immediately feel betrayed by misleading advertising. Or, once the drain cleaner hits your door the dreaded high pressure sales pitch starts.
So, how can a company promote such "low prices" for drain cleaning services and actually stand by their advertising? The simple answer is THEY CAN'T... Strike That! They can, but they won't be in business very long.
Allow me to explain: the average cost per lead (or customer) is $50.00 on up to $350.00 per lead. So let's go with the conservative number of $50.00. Right out the gate, one can see where a company who promotes anything under $50.00 is already losing money and requires a desperate scheme to make up the difference SOMEWHERE! Guess where?
Ok, I shall digress... So, the lead costs $50.00 Now let's add on the rest.
- There is gas involved - call it $5.00 per lead (conservatively)
- Office staff/overhead - call it $15.00 per lead (this cost obviously varies from company to company)
- There is the actual plumber's pay - call it $24.00 per hour (the State of California Industrial Welfare Commission has determined $24.00 per hr. to be the going rate for a competent plumber)
- There are payroll taxes, workman compensation, and other benefits to pay (assuming the company promoting such low prices actually pays taxes and has workman's compensation) one would assume so but, its best to actually check and verify such. Let's add another $15.00 as a conservative number on the taxes/benefits side.
- Lastly, any company doing business would definitely like to make a profit, otherwise what's the point, right? Let's say 10% profit margin
So, in adding the hard costs we have $50.00 plus, $5.00 plus, plus $24.00 (assuming from start to finish the job only required 1 hour - not likely, if good service is involved), and $15.00 of which equals $94.00 ADD to that a 10% profit margin and we end up at $103.40 ...
Funny that we come up with $103.40. In 1988 the going rate to clear a main sewer line was $100.00 and that was 25 years ago!
So, where is the money going to be made?
How can a company advertising to clear your drain for $35.00 stay in business if they can't turn a profit?
I strongly recommend you take the time to research the online reviews of every plumbing service company you're considering. Save yourself some time and frustration and don't be fooled.
By Anthony Pouliot
Toll Free 1-855-893-3601
San Bernardino Co. 1-909-758-0280
Riverside County 1-951-427-1707
San Gabriel Valley 1-626-696-3490
San Bernardino Co. 1-909-758-0280
Riverside County 1-951-427-1707
San Gabriel Valley 1-626-696-3490
Better, Cleaner, Faster Service!
CSLB C36 #967595
