Anyone fit or know anyone on a metering contract

[newcastle phill]

Had a big meeting with a company and Ive been offered a contract to fit them and am undecided as the unit price seems low considering the usual vehicle running costs and other typical encumbrances.

Does annyone know anyone whos doing them and how many a day they get fed/do.

Just number crunching and even with the freedom to continue my own work, because of the time i have to commit to the contract and availability i am still struggling with the bottom line numbers based on a daily worst case scenario.

It is doing both dumb and smart.

They wouldnt commit to how many as they are coming via 2 very very large utulity companies.

Im thinking it would be worth a punt as i surely would pick a load of work up re stuff i come across thats faulty or dangerous and also pushing servicing for boilers etc...while striking up a good rapport with the custs. From that point of view i cant see a downside.

Anybody have any input through experience or a friend who has etc....

 

[AWheating]

does the price inclue extras for repipe, faults etc......

ive got a few mates who do meters but they work for the energy company. they do both gas and leccy when its a smart meter.

the energy company they work for pay between 24 and 30,000 and expect about 8 jobs a day, this will prob go up when smart roles out full pace.

 

[WaterTight]

I'm fit.

 

[newcastle phill]

I have a national grid code chart here that has alsorts of permutations

Credit to prepay
Credit to smart
New instal
Relocate..

Ofmat testing etc.

I will have to clarify re pipe. I did ask amd he said yes.
It would have to be otherwise im subsiding the install and buying work.
Besides I wouldn't want to be coughing up for 28 and 35 too often when i came across it.

What I'm seeing is an opportunity to really push sales and servicing. If enough work came on i would take a lad on to do it.

 

[WaterTight]

what are the terms/pay

 

[newcastle phill]

4 weekly and tax @ 20% deducted at source as per hmrc subcontractor rules.

Figures are confidential at mo sorry cant discuss.
Im more concerned about shifting metres so am after a typical volume from others do the same in a day / week as they were non commital which raised my eyebrow.

8 a day seems low and was told they attack areas at a time so not much driving.

Its a hard choice as leaving it has financial penaltys, not masssive but large enough.

 

[Nostrum]

If you're questioning the initial price then I'd be concerned.

I wouldn't want to rely on upselling the servicing etc, that's not guaranteed. It sounds as though you're a contractor for the main contractor. They want a fixed price to make it pay for them so they'll be finding the margins tight themselves, or just being greedy.

 

[newcastle phill]

Yes that crossed my mind too

 

[newcastle phill]

But I also believe strongly in a captive audience. The law of averages says when purging and relighting i will come across faulty appliances or people needing servicing or people doing new kitchens or gas leaks and whatever else that people are wanting doing - and thats all chargeable.
And seeing at least 8 people a day also means thats 40 people a week so 120 month All with gas, some wanting servicing, some not ...so on and so forth..

Its a foot in the door....every time
There is definate potential in that aspect.

 

[tamz]

I just typed out a 1000+ word reply too this with a lot of good information in it as i had 4 guys on a metering contract for 10+ years but the bloddy thing had logged out so i lost it and i can't be bothered typing it all out again.
Bottom line would i do it again..............no chance as it is now being run by halfwit ******s and i know some of them personally and they agree.