Cost of survey
We quote and charge by time, not by the number of panels to be examined. Our base units of time are Full Days and Half Days.
Thermographic surveys require safe working in many different environments and examining equipment in variable states of repair. Thermographers may need to undertake site or organisation induction, which can range from a short time to more than a day. For some customers we carry certification which requires annual re-accreditation.
Our Thermographers need to thoroughly understand the systems they are monitoring, and perhaps consult operators and refer to wiring charts which may take additional time. Equipment has to be made safe, and components prepared for scanning. Other things that can extend time on site include delays in access or even locating equipment. Even big switchboards can be 'lost'in a large complex with changes in staff. We strive for most effective use of our time, and may make changes in schedules to maximise efficiency.
Accurate documentation is important, and as a result we might take longer on an initial inspection than re-inspections. We will allow for this by spending extra non charged time if necessary at initial visits. Getting the documentation correct helps smooth the way in subsequent surveys, and we have found has helped customers in many different ways.
Our home territory is Sydney and surrounds, so local travel is absorbed into out quoted daily costs. For more distant areas about NSW or Interstate we will include travel and accommodation at reasonable cost.
In summary we work solidly and as rapidly as is safely possible in chargeable units of half or a full days. For those who have:
account managers who insist on budgeting by panel numbers this can translate from over 300 in a day under very good conditions down to 15 in a difficult situation;
very small not urgent tasks that can be fitted around other jobs we may arrange special minimum callout times.