negotiate... It never hurts to ask.
WE ARE ALSO PAYING $500 FOR OUR SITE SUPERVISOR AND HE IS GOING TO WORK A HALFDAY. OUR GAMETIME SALES REP TOLD US IF WE CAN HAVE THE SUPPORT POSTS IN THE GROUND, WAITING FOR THE SUPERVISOR WHEN HE GETS THERE WE CAN SHAVE A COUPLE HOURS OF THE TIME WE NEED HIM FOR. SHE ALSO THINKS THE SUPERVISOR MIGHT STAY LONGER THEN 4 HOURS, JUST TO HELP OUT. SO I AGREE THAT THE FEE IS NEGOTIABLE!
Thanks for the tip! There is also an agreement in the KaBoom! Tool Kit that helps explain the role of the installer/playground company/purchaser that is worth taking a look at. At minimum, they should understand the need for communication with the purchaser of the equipment. In working with several playground representatives in our process to choose the equipment vendor, we discoverd that they all use the same "Sub-Contractors" to install the equipment. We are considering working with the installer directly so we can streamline the communication with the person(s) who will certify that the install is done correctly.
As a side-note, it was interesting to see how much the different vendors were going to charge us for the certified installers...the prices varied considerably for the same service from the same sub-contractors. This in itself may be another reason to work with the installer directly.
While it may not work in your situation, it is a good idea to negotiate the installation services while still in the selection process of playground equipment. This is where you may get the best deals. Sales representatives have some wiggle room with the costs of the equipment and may be willing to discount or donate the installation in order to get your business. Also, there may be more than one certified installer in your area for the equipment manufacturer you have selected. There is nothing wrong with getting multiple quotes for the installation of the equipment and taking the best deal. Have you already signed a contract with the installer?
I reiterate the comments you have already received:
1. Negotiate as early as possible, while you still have other vendors/installers competing for the work.
2. Negotiate directly with the installer, if you feel that this could be more productive than going through the vendor.
3. Try to minimize the number of hours spent by the installer, as it will reduce the cost.
4. View other builds to get a sense of how much the installer does, the value their work has, and how much is necessary.
Good luck!
As a nonprofit organization, we were able to negotiate the Playground Rep donating the time/cost of the installer and us issuing him a tax-deductible reciept for donated services.
Our supervisor only cost $330 for 8 hours and a final inspection. This was through BCI Burke. We were lucky that he lived in the area so we didn't have to pay any extra fees.
He was a huge help on Build Day and I was glad that he was around.
I guess I was naive in thinking fees were non-negotiable when dealing with the installers. I took the installers word for it that we had to pay the flat fee, 2 day minimum, no matter how long the guy was there. We are going to pay about $1700 for 2- 10 hour days, when the installer was only there for about 8 hours total. And, he didn't have to do anything. We had everything laid out and ready to go before he arrived. Too bad I hadn't stumbled upon this forum prior to scheduling. Guess we learn as we go.
cmad
wwa