[start2finish]

I have to use scuba gear tomorrow to dive in a pool and retrofit a new update drain cover for a commerical swimming pool. Any pricing ideas? I don't have a clue on this one, I know this is a speciality item that there aren't alot of people to bid on this. We are doing it and then worrying about price. I want to charge enough but not rip them off. HELP

[Stonehenge]

That does sound like a specialized thing that not everyone can offer. How much does the scuba gear cost? How much to be trained to scuba dive?

If you're the only one around that can offer a service, shouldn't those specialty services have specialty prices?

There's a reason Ipe costs more than Southern Pine.

[start2finish]

i am guessing at least 100/hour for the service. their only other option is to drain a 50,000 gallon pool, buy the water to refill and retreat the water with chemicals. probably 350-400 so we must be within these constraints or it wouldn't be feasible. as for training I only have scba training and only going 8 feet deep I have talked with a friend that is certified and he is renting the equipment for me and gave some saftey tips, seems 8 foot of water is not that big of a deal, I have had lifeguard training and experience and a strong swimmer and taking someone with me to oversee me. He suggested communication with someone above me while I am diving as well. (hand signals) should take 10-15 minutes on the bottom tops. I plan on doing the certification training asap for the future and can legimately write the class as well as the gear off my taxes for business. this is probably a red flag item I may eat it.

[P-Train]

In my opinion you should never do something like that without a firm price written in a contract.

The things that could go wrong from faulty equipment eating your time, to you not getting paid what you ask for after the job is complete to the danger is infinite.

I hope it works out for you.

[sleepy]

Id do that just for fun. plus free time at the pool.

[jwholden]

I met a guy who fixed liner pools with scuba gear a couple years ago. Apparently there is quite a market for it. He would go in the pool and look for the air bubbles. His regular job was painting and he kept the gear in the truck so he could run off to emergency calls.

I think he said he got something around 200-300 per visit, which was usually less than an hour. I would go with a fixed fee to show up for so much time and an additional charge per hour, half hour, or 15 minutes.

[AdamF]

I would talk to my Insurance Company amd WSIB before attempting this.

And I would want a contract that would detail the exact scope of work and any limitations of liability.

IMHO: too risky without any real significant return to undertake this job without protecting yourself and your company.

[Raj Venugopal]

Ditto to Adam's post.

My concern would be the insurance implications if submerged water work is outside of the parameters around which your business insurance premiums are calculated.

If some mishap happened, knock on wood it doesn't, you want to make sure all's been considered.

[Fine Edge]

Based on our experience with water trucks, most only hold 6000 - 7000 gallons at a minimum cost of $145 if it's close and I've paid $185 for a load before.
So you need 7 loads at $150 which would be closer to $1050 to fill up the pool, if you truck the water in. Plus the time to drain it to a proper place, don't want to flood anything.

Get a contract signed and charge them for the specialty work!!!

Good Luck.

[start2finish]

45000 gallon pool, next to a lake so draining is not an issue, they are on city water and have a 3 inch line connected to fill valve. takes 6 hours to re-fill pool. but the cost of water is significant.

I have a long term relationship with the company that owns this and 7 other pools. We do grading and site work for the company and did 700K with them last year. They are my biggest customer. As for getting paid there is no problem, I just wanted to be fair. The repair went fine took 15 minutes underwater and 3 hours waiting on inspector. This was keeping the pool and 300 residents from being able to use it this year. So it was a priority.


As for the insurance issues I exclude myself from WC so doing this personally there is nothing to be considered from them. Now there is no way an employee could be allowed to do. But I wouldn't put them at that risk anyway.

Thanks for the input.