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Just curious what everyone’s opinion is on what is too far out to be booked up for scheduling jobs? 3 days? 5 Days? 2 weeks? At what point do you feel you are costing yourself money and/or customers? With this question in mind, at what point do you add another van? How long do you feel you need to be booked out for a time period outside of your comfort zone before you decide it’s time? I know all of us hit busy times that make you long for an extra van, but then 2 weeks later you slow down and realize it’s not time. What are the indicators that you feel “make it time”? Since most people’s busy times are starting now, I figured this would be a good time to pose the question(s).
Goals for your business. How hard you want to/or can work. Advanced bookings. What to do if business slows down . . . . all play into the decision. We started out with a helper and could do about a third to a half more work in that truck. Bookings stayed about 2 weeks out all the time. I studied the numbers at that time and decided that we could do twice the amount of work with 2 vans. The thing I didn’t realize at the time was not only are we doing more work per day, but building our referral base and our repeat business people at a much faster pace. Two vans are much more efficient and productive, in my in my view, than having two people in one van.
Iowa winters are rugged. Business does slow down and I am grateful to have an employee going out to fight the elements rather that me.
I recently had a life-changing event in my life. My van days are definitely over. I am so grateful that I made this move years ago and not trying to hire and keep schedules with a new inexperienced person. I would encourage all operators to think about your plan B!
Bryan, You bring up some very good points, thank you. I’ve ran the numbers, one man in a van pencils out better. The exceptions are: two in a van when you need a stronger body to do the lifting of equipment, one of them are being trained, or you couldn’t find a baby sitter for your teenager! I’m looking very strong at running one van, 2) 6 hr shifts- 8a-2p and 2p-8p. For what it’s worth, in my old chem-dry days, they said three days out is all you should be before you get another van. I disagree.
You Guys bring up excellent points. But I don’t see how I can run multiple vans. Now, Im close to 3 weeks out. If I had another van,employee & everything that goes along I’m not sure if my mental state could handle that. I think my biggest concern is that if I have to constantly remind my employees of this & that what would they do if I wasn’t over their shoulder. I try not to micro manage but I strive for perfection. Thats why I’m 3 weeks out. Over the years I’ve built up a fairly large cliental & they know its best to call ahead. Before I run another van I need to get out of the first one. For me thats a huge jump!
Having a lot of work isn’t a bad problem to have. So many operators promote themselves and/or their name over or just as much as the name “Heaven’s Best”. The problem comes in the future when you would like to sell. Slavery is against the law, you can’t sell you and when the time comes when you want out, then what? Having a good employee isn’t a bad thing. Screen them well, take them with you for a couple of weeks or send them to training of you don’t have the time. After the employee is trained,I would recommend two shifts using one van. No additional over head of the second van and equipment. The two 6 hr shifts I mentioned earlier is really what I would recommend giving some thought.
You’ve just brought up the very points that everyone thinks of when their business gets to that certain point. We’ve run this way for over 7 years . . . and those are daily concerns even now. Despite having employees, our business continues to grow. If you can physically handle it and your way of operation is comfortable . . . Great! As we age and life circumstances change, maybe that’s the time to consider another van or a change in the way you operate. It’s good to envision that change now and have a plan in place when the time comes.
More thoughts.
Is there more you can do to maximize the van/gear you already have? Work the van longer hours, i.e. 2 shifts or a night shift for commercial work.
Raising prices. A 20% increase in your prices is all (almost all ) profit, even if you lose 10% of your business, you end up with more cash in your jeans, fewer headaches and scheduling issues, less wear and tear, wash fewer pads, on and on.
The rest of it, quality control, employee loyalty, customer expectations, etc are all things that are easily enough sorted through.And then personal preference. What would you rather be doing? Cleaning or scheduling and employment management. Be careful what you wish for
Great topic! Sounds like “Growing Pains”! you have some tough decisions. I like the Raise your price idea . thats what i have done in my area .i also have a hard time fully trusting my employee with “my clients” I am still on the truck or at the jobsite a large %of the time . I am lucky to have a great tec that can do a great job ,that allows me to focus on other aspects of the business
Just a thought at the price raising idea. I have a per sqft charge that I start with and quote over the phone. In the past, I have discounted for conditions that were better than average. For example: if a $250 job only took 2 hours, I would discount to $200 or $100 per hour. I have decided to increase my discount rate to $125 per hour(I am faster and better). If I work a minimum of 6 productive hours per day x $25 per hour x 5 days per week x 52 weeks = a potential of an additional $39,000 PER YEAR PURE PROFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish Dennis would have called me years ago!!
Think about this guys and gals, you are worth it!!
I schedule the date they ask for. If it is over weeks. I call and remind them of the appt.
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