That stone tech pro is a mechanical process and can be re used on the next 2-3 sections. This is probably where they got the usage rates. It is however a lot more labor time, manipulating the slurry into a new area again and again, the the clean up is much more difficult because it is a superfine Aluminum Oxide, can easily stain grout. It also has to be worked much longer because there is no chemical (oxalic acid) kicker. So what John is saying is quite true, you will loose out on labor costs big time.
Baird ,
Where were you in class when we went over cost of materials. The
5X powder cost you as a Partner 279.00 for 45 pounds this equals a cost
of $6.20 per pound you will use approximately 2 no more than 3 ounces of powder
for every 10 sq,ft. therefore if you use 2 ounces per 10 SQ
FT there is 16 ounces to a pound divided by 2 = 8 , 10 SQ FT sections or 80 SQ
FT per pound $6.20 divided by 80 SQ FT = .0777 per sq ft.
NOW , this is more then .02 per sq ft but my bet is you will not
get that low of cost on that powder, I have tried all types of powders and found
the 5X powder to be the best,
If you use powders other than 5X I cannot not guarantee
you will get the same result as we did in training, if you need to spend more
time then you labor rates will go up and you have saved NOTHING !
Over the years I have seen to many restoration contractor worry
about the cost of materials, and not pay any attention to their labor costs. If
your material costs are running over 5 to 6 % of you sales you have problems,
not so much with you cost, but how your employees are using the materials.
The bigger number to look at is labor! If you labor rates are
running over 30 % you have problems. This could be a loss of productivity,
over p aid employees or your techniques do not allow you the maximum productivity.
If you purchase all your products from Stonecare Central and you
control the use of the products you material and supply cost should not be over
5 to 6 %
Watch you labor if it’s over 30 % ( direct labor no benefits
taxes etc included ) you need to look at you r productivity.
Do your technicians need to stop on their way to a job site to
pick up supplies ?? if so then take a simple 5 to 8 mile trip to Home Depot or
other stores and calculate what it cost you. You are not getting in and out of
the store any faster then 30 minutes, then figure the drive time you , it cost
you a least $13 to $18 for that hour maybe more depending upon you r pay scale.
Oh if you are sending 2 technician to a job double those cost! So what
have you really saved NOTHING it cost you money.
Look at the labor numbers find a single source supplier like StoneCare
Central and review your monthly material and supply cost if they are over 5 to
6 % we need to talk.
John E. Freitag
President/Director
The Stone and Tile School
Office 407-567-7652
Cell 407-615-0134
jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com