Got a few minutes between appointments for septic system work? Is your smartphone or tablet handy on the road, or are you sitting near your desktop computer in the office? Then we have a bonus for you – additional Onsite Installer content is available online. Find more of the latest wastewater industry news – from product releases to videos and podcasts to my editor’s blog – at www.onsiteinstaller.com. Here’s just a sampling of the latest content you can find online:
EDITOR’S BLOG: THEY PROMOTE THE ONSITE INDUSTRY
Through its new website blog, Ace Acme Septic Services is showing that individual service companies can become strong advocates for the decentralized wastewater industry. Todd and Kelly Summers are sharing their thoughts about a variety of septic system maintenance topics, hoping to educate homeowners around their Arlington, Wash., home base. As an example, take a look at their recent blog, entitled “What Are the Advantages of Using Septic Sewage Systems?” The company lays out its arguments for communities choosing decentralized treatment systems over hooking more homes to the big pipe. Link to their entertaining posts through my editor’s blog.
HOW TO COMBAT THE SKILLED TALENT SHORTAGE
Business-building writer David J. Baker says small businesses are at the beginning of a talent war: “As we begin the rapid rise out of one of the worst recessions on record, businesses in the onsite septic industry are seeing opportunities for growth. The stock market is setting records, almost weekly, housing is rebounding and mortgage rates are starting to bounce back. But there’s a great conundrum. Unemployment rates are still unusually high — still over 7 percent nationally. The problem is a current workforce that lacks the necessary skills required to perform the hundreds of jobs that growing companies are trying to fill.’’ Baker passes along information that drivers, technicians and skilled trades workers will be the most difficult to recruit moving forward. He shares tips on how your business can attract the very best.
PROPERLY PRICING YOUR ONSITE SYSTEM SERVICES
Onsite system expert Jim Anderson writes about how installers can price their projects accurately to ensure a profit. He presents a primer for contractors on writing a solid scope of services document that will help customers understand project invoices. “The price you present for the work has to reflect your actual costs, plus a reasonable profit for your efforts. This means you need to track equipment and machinery costs. Consider equipment rentals, fuel and labor costs if other workers are needed. All of these are important to running a successful and profitable business,’’ Anderson says. “This was brought home to me a long time ago when an installer I worked with frequently talked about bringing his son into the business and that his son was quick to accept jobs that were outside their normal working area.’’ The contractor was sometimes losing money on these jobs that looked lucrative at the start.
