What do private locate companies charge on the east coast

**locatedude** · May 2nd, 2009, 10:42 PM

I was wondering what private locating companies charge per hour on the east coast?
I was mainly curious about Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

**ifinditunderground** · May 4th, 2009, 10:33 AM

Not enough.

**locatedude** · May 4th, 2009, 02:11 PM

Any info you know would help. Just curious, thinking about moving to the region. Don't want to undermine the going rate.

**ifinditunderground** · May 4th, 2009, 04:09 PM

It never hurts to ask.......

**premo** · May 4th, 2009, 08:13 PM

It is diff for each state.I work in all of them for Bloodhound.

**locatedude** · May 4th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Hey Premo, thanks for posting. I'm thinking about North Carolina. So what do you charge for NC, and do you charge same rate for travel? Any info you are able to share would be helpful.

**premo** · May 5th, 2009, 02:58 PM

I cant tell you rates Boss would kill me. We do charge mob if we go out of the area we have an office in.

**locatedude** · May 5th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Thanks away Premo! I completely understand! I was just fishing.

**premo** · May 6th, 2009, 09:30 AM

Good luck there are a lot of Privet locate comps out there.

**locator229** · November 18th, 2009, 06:55 PM

i am looking for info from any one about private locates..I have the chance to work after hours with a cable company and do all there locates and am in need of info on what to and how to charge..

**NINJA** · November 22nd, 2009, 08:33 PM

hey guys I think it is going to be a hard question to get a straight answer to. With the economy the way it is anyone doing private stuff would be hard pressed to give that info out over the net you may want to set up a gmail account and ask for pm's to be sent to them. People may have a hard time posting that type of info on this site. Me I am no longer working so the only info I can give to you is in Florida if we were doing a private locate while working for our companies the charges were about $75.00 per utility per hour with a one hr. minimum but that is what our co. wanted use to charge. off the record if someone asked me to do some on the side stuff I would do it for $25 per.............I did get a lot of side work........

**ifinditunderground** · November 22nd, 2009, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by NINJA

hey guys I think it is going to be a hard question to get a straight answer to. With the economy the way it is anyone doing private stuff would be hard pressed to give that info out over the net you may want to set up a gmail account and ask for pm's to be sent to them. People may have a hard time posting that type of info on this site. Me I am no longer working so the only info I can give to you is in Florida if we were doing a private locate while working for our companies the charges were about $75.00 per utility per hour with a one hr. minimum but that is what our co. wanted use to charge. off the record if someone asked me to do some on the side stuff I would do it for $25 per.............I did get a lot of side work........

It's highly likely someone will get their ass canned for posting their companies hourly rates here. Good luck finding any information. I'd recommend steering clear of Raleigh/Durham in NC, and the Washington DC Metro. Probably the highest saturation of companies providing Private Locating in the entire US.

**MOJO** · November 23rd, 2009, 08:50 AM

Locatedude -

The going rate will depend primarily on the job. For example, here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Is the locate for a homeowner or a contractor? Homeowners get a lower rate, as most are not willing to pay as high an amount as a contractor whom bakes his costs into his bid.

2. Will you be using conventional EM technology, or does the job require GPR? Of course, GPR would be a higher rate, due to the cost of maintaining the equipment.

3. Does the customer want you to take on any sort of liability? Again, this increases the amount you have to charge, in order to cover the cost of insurance.

4. Is there travel involved? You will need to add this into your cost.

So, as you can see, there are a number of variables involved. My suggestion, for what it's worth, would be for you to figure out what YOUR costs are. Also, do you homework. Posting here is a good way to start, but you still have a lot more to do. Consider contacting owners of other private locating companies. Make sure they are from another geographical area, to show that you have no intention of competing with them. And then ask what the typical billing structure would look like. Be honest and up front, and any "good" business person would be happy to help you out. Your talking about being an entrepreneur, so make sure you have the fortitude to tough it out.

Good Luck!

**ifinditunderground** · November 23rd, 2009, 09:14 AM

And cough up the money for some good liability insurance.....

**locatedude** · November 24th, 2009, 07:22 PM

Just FYI,
Locator229 reposted by old question from sometime ago and I believe your questions should be directed to him. In the future Locator229 could you please use your own post to avoid confusion, thanks...I have already started my company and have my rates set. As you see by the prevoius posts the information is hard to determine, you have to feel out your market and make any adjustments needed. Ifinditunderground is right about Raleigh/Durham and Washington DC areas, these areas are saturated with private locating companies. Good Luck Locator229...