company supplied tools

[cavalieri85]

What tools should a employer supply. Should they contribute to cost of new tools or repair existing broken tools. I would also ask you to specify union or not. That makes a big diffrence in what your employers do and is relevant to the question. Gotta compare apples to apples

[cavalieri85]

We are supplied with equipment for trucks such as straps and bins and buckets and can go to home depot whenever for that stuff. We get 250bucks a year to fix old tools or buy new. And they supply torches,vac pump, recovery machin dollars e,scale, and all other tools are furnished by the techs. I estimated the cost of all tools on my truck to be in the range of 6,000 that's including some stuff I plan to purchase. I calculated the cost of tools that i would like to buy and found about another 4,000 dollars. Just wanted to debate what share employers should pick up or if any at all.

[cool-in-cayman]

As an employer I don't like to buy any tools for the techs. I prefer to agree on a reasonable tool allowance. This way when a ladder gets left on the job, not my problem.

[Moonrunner]

As an employer I don't like to buy any tools for the techs. I prefer to agree on a reasonable tool allowance. This way when a ladder gets left on the job, not my problem.

Ladder left on the job? What kinda techs do you get down there in AZ?

Over here, typically the tech is responsible for hand tools, multimeters, manometers, gun, sniffer, gauges and some of the power tools (typically hammer, impact, sawzall, but not rotary hammer - that one's on the bossman). The company supplies the ladders, vac pump, reclaimer, combustion analyzer. Upper year apprentices (4th-5th) would sometimes get tool replacement costs covered (you look at the UEI multimeter cockeyed, it craps out, the bossman gets you a new one) as long as they don't abuse the system.

[timebuilder]

What tools should a employer supply. Should they contribute to cost of new tools or repair existing broken tools. I would also ask you to specify union or not. That makes a big diffrence in what your employers do and is relevant to the question. Gotta compare apples to apples

My Co offers to supply vacuum pump and recovery machine, B tank with torch, and maybe a couple of other small items, like new hoses every year.

I take the hoses, but every other tool is mine.

No tool allowance.

[heatingman]

Most companies I've worked for supply the truck, ladders, recovery machine, vac pump, big hammer drill such as hilti, ppe such as fall gear, lifts, hoists, dollies, and combustion analyzer, pipe threader, welder if the company gets into that.

I have all else, but also have my own vac pump, recovery machine, pipe threader, torch set, and combustion analyzer.

The pipe threader and recovery machine are on the truck only as needed.

I use the company recovery machine, but generally my vac pump, b/c the company pumps usually don't pull well. I have my recovery machine as a back up.

I would never supply my own ladders, ppe, or lockout beyond a simple lock.

I'm non union

[valdelocc]

Worked non-union, bought all my tools,name it, I own it! some non-union companies provided the very minimum (ladders, vacuum pump, recovery unit) other give a little more.
Joined the union, sold most of my tools, employer provides me with everything from service wrenches to combustion analyzers,when I need a tool I call the office, get a PO# and buy it, I still carry some of my tools cause of old habits.

[Tech Rob]

Company supplies specialty items and all PPE, I supply everything else. There are things like meters, leak detectors, vacuum gauges, and certain wrenches that they will provide, but I choose to use my own stuff. If anything I am using breaks on the job, no matter who it belongs to, they'll replace it with no questions asked. I would rather buy high quality stuff of my choosing than have to use whatever is in the shop or whatever their preferred supplier carries.

[cool-in-cayman]

Ladder left on the job? What kinda techs do you get down there in AZ?

Over here, typically the tech is responsible for hand tools, multimeters, manometers, gun, sniffer, gauges and some of the power tools (typically hammer, impact, sawzall, but not rotary hammer - that one's on the bossman). The company supplies the ladders, vac pump, reclaimer, combustion analyzer. Upper year apprentices (4th-5th) would sometimes get tool replacement costs covered (you look at the UEI multimeter cockeyed, it craps out, the bossman gets you a new one) as long as they don't abuse the system.

You'd be surprised. And it's not just Az. If I had every lost ladder back from over the years I could probably start a ladder store online and retire.

I don't want to manage peoples tools and as many above have indicated they prefer to buy their own. I negotiate how much money is fair to use their tools while working for me. Everyone's happy.

And you'd surprise how much longer the tools last this way.

[jpsmith1cm]

Company supplies specialty items and all PPE, I supply everything else. There are things like meters, leak detectors, vacuum gauges, and certain wrenches that they will provide, but I choose to use my own stuff. If anything I am using breaks on the job, no matter who it belongs to, they'll replace it with no questions asked. I would rather buy high quality stuff of my choosing than have to use whatever is in the shop or whatever their preferred supplier carries.

Sounds a lot like me.

My company would provide me with just about anything that I ask for, BUT, when I ask for this meter or that, I'm likely to get the low-end model.

I've spent thousands of my own dollars to purchase high end tools and I expect those tools to be repaired and/or replaced by the company that I'm using them to make money for.

[heatingman]

You'd be surprised. And it's not just Az. If I had every lost ladder back from over the years I could probably start a ladder store online and retire.

I don't want to manage peoples tools and as many above have indicated they prefer to buy their own. I negotiate how much money is fair to use their tools while working for me. Everyone's happy.

And you'd surprise how much longer the tools last this way.

Not providing ladders is outrageous.

" hey mr boss man, I need a 40 ft extension ladder to get on the roof over here."

Reply - " no problem, there only 600 bucks, so go pick one up at grainger, oh by the way, I'm gonna take it out of your paycheck this week, that should leave with enough money to get a sandwich and a pack of smokes. "

[valdelocc]

Not providing ladders is outrageous.

" hey mr boss man, I need a 40 ft extension ladder to get on the roof over here."

Reply - " no problem, there only 600 bucks, so go pick one up at grainger, oh by the way, I'm gonna take it out of your paycheck this week, that should leave with enough money to get a sandwich and a pack of smokes. "

And I thought I knew what a bottomfeeder was, makes you wonder who he hires under such conditions,probably ex-cons and Slur removed, and then some here bash the unions.

[freemind]

And I thought I knew what a ************ was, makes you wonder who he hires under such conditions,probably ex-cons and illegal immigrant, and then some here bash the unions.

Don't you think that is rather rude to talk about a guy like that?

I wouldn't get along with his practices any more than you would. However, I would call him a cheapskate, not what you did.

There is no way, however, that there would be a "reasonable" tool allowance IF my recovery machine, or meters/specialty tools were to be worn out.
A good recovery machine and a vac pump will set you back alot. Then you want to talk about a 40 ft ladder. Mmmm hmmm. Not my kind of employer, sorry.

[valdelocc]

Don't you think that is rather rude to talk about a guy like that?

I wouldn't get along with his practices any more than you would. However, I would call him a cheapskate, not what you did.

There is no way, however, that there would be a "reasonable" tool allowance IF my recovery machine, or meters/specialty tools were to be worn out.
A good recovery machine and a vac pump will set you back alot. Then you want to talk about a 40 ft ladder. Mmmm hmmm. Not my kind of employer, sorry.

I been at it longer than you been alive and I have never hear of an employer asking his employees to supply ladders, bottomfeeder is the kindest word that came to mind.

[timebuilder]

I been at it longer than you been alive and I have never hear of an employer asking his employees to supply ladders, bottomfeeder is the kindest word that came to mind.

I have to agree. Ladders are a company responsibility.

[cavalieri85]

I once interviewed at a company that wanted me to maintain/repair the work truck. Needless to say I kindly laughed in his face And said I'm good ill stay where I'm at

[cavalieri85]

About not supplying ladders. The poster said he compensates fairly for all the tools. How much tool allowance are you providing it must be pretty substantial to have guys buying ladders and such

[Krzyd]

I been at it longer than you been alive and I have never hear of an employer asking his employees to supply ladders, bottomfeeder is the kindest word that came to mind.

Bottomfeeder is correct, sorry.

















....actually I'm not.

[cool-in-cayman]

I negotiate every job I get....daily and I never whine to my boss, the customer, about having to buy materials for the job because I agreed upfront to do the job under the negotiated terms.

Since none of you know what I am willing to pay for the use of your tools, including your ladder, how then can you say anything about the agreed upon terms?

[cool-in-cayman]

About not supplying ladders. The poster said he compensates fairly for all the tools. How much tool allowance are you providing it must be pretty substantial to have guys buying ladders and such

It is. It's usually enough money for my guys to replace their tools every couple of years. Those who take good care of their tools are making money off it.

Some people look at their boss as if he's their daddy. I have enough kids, so those who don't want to take responsibility and ownership of their tools will probably do better working for someone else.