Start own business

**upro** · September 4th, 2009, 01:16 PM

Hey everybody, I am new to the forum don't know if this has been asked or not. I was recently(last friday) laid off from Verizon where Consolidated has took over our jobs and Verizon would not offer us any new positions in our area. I am now wondering what would I need to do to start my own private facility locate company. Nothing large because where I am at it is very rural area. Just wondering if any suggestions and where to start.

Thanks

**ifinditunderground** · September 4th, 2009, 04:57 PM

My suggestion: Steer clear of the DC Metro.

**TheCableVine** · September 4th, 2009, 05:53 PM

I think if you start by making up some business cards and visiting your local one-call center you would be on your way to making some extra money doing private locates. Give each of the operators your business card and let them know to give you a call anytime something comes up. Network with some of the larger contractors and let them know what you are doing. If you are on good terms with consolidated and they don't offer private locates you might give them a visit and try to get all of their referrals. You won't make good money on one or two big jobs. You'll make good money doing many small jobs. Oh... make up a website and submit it to the private locate link page on this site.

**AULupstate** · September 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM

You know, when I see this topic and the area it is usually asked from gives me the creeps.

It ALWAYS ends up being the same person asking this question.

I really hope it's NOT this time.

**upro** · September 4th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the info Cablevine and no this is the first thread I have put up. I just found this website yesterday and have been reading through it. Thanks for anymore info people can give

**wrightsb1** · September 14th, 2009, 12:37 PM

Protect yourself first, get another job. If this is just a way to make up for your lost job, It will be hard to replace your income locating for people building fences and putting up mailboxes, You can not just go to the one-call center and let them know you are available, they don't care. You have to have a contract with a utility owner first then you can pay their dues and they will send you tickets. I owned a utility services company that supplied companies with reserve locators when they were short handed. we also did mapping, private locates, and CP monitoring. The insurance requirements are crazy but you gotta have it. I was required to carry a 5 mil blanket and 1mil professional liability, 1 mil general liability, most utilities only require a 1 mil blanket. All of it ran about 38k a year but you only need about 10% upfront and you pay the rest out monthly. A simple release from liability is not enough to cover your ass if you miss something, Utility companies have tons of money and lawyers you will be liable when fecil matter comes in contact with the air handeling device. become a member of NULCA, they will send you bid info when it comes up, Best bet is to market yourself towards design and engineering companies, the insurance requirements are lower, there is less chance you will be found liable and they pay really well, I charged anywhere from 75 to 150 an hour depending on what mood i was in.

**Mke** · September 14th, 2009, 06:45 PM

wrightsb1 is right. It would be extremely hard to open a Private locating company in a rural area. Even for the best of Private locators, the job flow is slow enough you wouldn't be able to maintain.

This may sound horrible as well, but, if you don't have any Private locating experience.... it may be an uphill battle. Private locating is a beast in and of itself. some can do it....and some think they can do it.

mke