I also sub for an HSP (Really Sub of a Sub) Being a independant contractor i buy all materials except the recievers, dishes and switches. we had a pay cut down here in Texas as well. I use to get 65 for a 1 IRD install and 20$ for each additional IRD after that , so a 4 IRD would be125$ And service calls,Upgrades were 25$ . Now the paycut a 4IRD 110$ and service calls,Upgrades 20$ . I calculate an average of 300$ a week less then what i use to make , Thats 1200$ a month! Now as i also pay for insurance, i do charge cust for phone line installs. If the phone jack is within 25 ft no charge to the cust. I have talked to some inhouse techs that make 40$ for a 1 IRD install but they have the materials, van, gas,insurance,and tools provided. i am now making less per job than the inhouse techs if you add it all up. What sucks is that there is probably going to be another paycut soon in the future. If Hsp`s want just to phase out contractors they are going about it the right way. If they are not trying to phase out contractors and keep cutting the pay than the only contractors willing to work at such a low rate are the one`s I would not want in my house to do an install. I can see it now, a customer calling directv and complaining that the tech told me to hold his beer while he kissed my wife. Why get certified. Thats another thing, you go and take classes to get certified and learn more about the job you enjoy doing. Wanting to succeed in your profession. hoping that the reward would be an increase in pay, definately not a decrease. Verizon, Sbc techs get paid a good amount to install phone lines both companies charge the cust an average 90$ per HR. for phone installs. I think what we the techs inhouse or contract who do work for Hsp or even Msp, should start a union to prevent Directv (HSP,MSP) from having techs work for free, like putting in phone lines at our expence. And definately help in preventing Paycutts. I always have been a believer in, that you get what you pay for. quality work is not cheap.
