Hi Everyone

**woodsman** · April 10th, 2009, 10:58 PM

Just discovered this site and am very happy to join.

I'm an old fart (over the half century mark) with ten years locating experience. I'm from the northern most reaches of Minnesota but spent a lot of time locating around the St. Paul metro area (Excel, Comcast, Qwest, and Centerpoint via Quality Underground Services).
I have moved back north and am trying to put together a private underground utility locating service (one person-one truck). Two problems...one is securing commercial liability insurance (no one likes to insure locators, it seems) and the other is in the rate to charge. I see that a lot of private locators charge around $100 an hour......that probably wouldn't fly in this depressed rural area (which is sort of depressing in of itself). I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has tackled this same issue.
Mike, the editor of Underground Focus magazine, has been a genuine help to me with waiver of liability forms and other business concerns (a great guy with a good sense of humor). Could use any input....

And did I say (before I gushed on) that I really am happy to have discovered this site? !!!

Take care,
Woodsman

**TheCableVine** · April 11th, 2009, 12:47 AM

Welcome to the site. I'm a contract locator but do some private locates on the side. I charge $50 an hour with no objections from anyone. Maybe I should raise my rates.

**Wingfoot** · April 12th, 2009, 04:07 AM

Oh yah woodsman - Glad to have you on board, don't cha know......... I was born & raised in Fairmont, Minnesota. I went to college for a couple years in Mankato. What an ice box! 7 months of winter a year is just too much "fun" for me.......

woodsman - I ain't trying to break your ballz - I am a wuss, you betcha, when it comes to cold weather. I moved 450 miles south of you just to get closer to the sun. I had a strong Minni-sue-ten accent and a strong Minni-sue-ten wife when I moved out of your state, but both are gone now.

I had the pleasure in May a few years ago to drive on I-35E thru St Paul during rush hour. WoW - 6 northbound lanes wide (maybe it was 7 lanes wide, I can't remember) of creeping & stopping, creeping & stopping...... It took me 2+ hours to pass thru town........

Anyway, welcome to theVine. Please post often and tell your buddies about our forum........

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**ifinditunderground** · April 12th, 2009, 10:49 AM

It sounds like you are on the right track Woods. Steve, raise your rates gradually every year or every other year. I am racking my brain for the names of our Liability Insurance and am blank. Will post later when I can think of anything. Try going to a broker Woods, let them help you figure it out.

**yahoo** · April 12th, 2009, 03:31 PM

welcome to the vine dude

**sprayandpray** · April 12th, 2009, 06:42 PM

Welcome, we need some more "seasoned" posters on here. These dadgum kids get uppity now and then and start talking all kinds of nonsense!

**yahoo** · April 13th, 2009, 10:36 PM

old fart may be right now that i think about it...................hahhahhahahahhahahhahaha!!!!!

**beyond help** · April 14th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Welcome Woodsman, I'm one of the punk kids here on the vine.

**underground quester** · April 14th, 2009, 10:02 PM

Welcome Woodman...I am one of the old farts on the site...

Check in often...

**Mke** · April 15th, 2009, 10:08 AM

wow steve... $50 for privates? Please tell me you have a minimum site time or a gas fee, or stupid contractor fee? With Gas prices slowly creeping up again and companies being tighter with their budget, I think a slow creep up in your fee would be understandable. I do think $100 is a bit much.

mke

**underground quester** · April 16th, 2009, 01:06 AM

I believe most private locators here in Alberta are over $100.00 per hour.
One fellow I know charges $135.00 per hour with I believe a 4 hr minimum call-out fee.

**scap** · April 18th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by woodsman

Just discovered this site and am very happy to join.

I'm an old fart (over the half century mark) with ten years locating experience. I'm from the northern most reaches of Minnesota but spent a lot of time locating around the St. Paul metro area (Excel, Comcast, Qwest, and Centerpoint via Quality Underground Services).
I have moved back north and am trying to put together a private underground utility locating service (one person-one truck). Two problems...one is securing commercial liability insurance (no one likes to insure locators, it seems) and the other is in the rate to charge. I see that a lot of private locators charge around $100 an hour......that probably wouldn't fly in this depressed rural area (which is sort of depressing in of itself). I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has tackled this same issue.
Mike, the editor of Underground Focus magazine, has been a genuine help to me with waiver of liability forms and other business concerns (a great guy with a good sense of humor). Could use any input....

And did I say (before I gushed on) that I really am happy to have discovered this site? !!!

Take care,
Woodsman

That's cool. I've had some offers on the side, never 100$ an hour though; I never took them, because I'm a pussy, which is why I work at Utiliquest to begin with... Just kidding, lol. In all seriousness, I was afraid of getting caught and fired for some bullshit private locate..

anyway, I wish you luck in your business venture.

-Patrick