Posted by u/no_drains_no_gains
Should I add drain cleaning to my service plumbing business?
Answered by Ask a Shop Owner ·
Turning down 5+ drain calls a week. Machine is $8k. Worth it?
u/askashopowner Owner-operator advisor
Top answer
If you are turning down 5 a week at even $250 per call, that is $65k/year of revenue walking. The machine pays for itself in a month. The real question is who runs it: you (adds hours to your day) or a helper you train (adds a paycheck and possibly a second truck).
Drain calls are also the best top-of-funnel for larger work: sewer camera inspections, repipes, water heater replacements. Every drain call is a chance to find bigger problems politely.
Add hydro-jetting within the first year. Cable-only shops turn away the higher-margin work.
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