What to consider before upgrading your sewer survey equipment

We live in an era of unprecedented technological development. What was once cutting-edge quickly becomes inferior or even obsolete. Fortunately, drain cameras and inspection systems have considerably longer shelf lives than consumer technology. As with all tech, though, there’ll come a time when it’ll need to be upgraded or organisations will be unable to offer the same range of services as their competitors. When, though, does this become necessary?

The importance of monitoring competitors

The most obvious advantage of upgrading sewer inspection equipment is that newer technology allows organisations to offer a broader range of services. Monitoring developments from manufacturers will ensure you’re aware of developments with drain inspection technology. Understanding how new developments and features will allow you to meet your customers’ requirements, however, is key to the creation of services that genuinely benefit them.

Frequently checking your competitors’ activities on digital platforms such as their website, social media profiles, etc. can provide valuable insights. Do their social profiles suggest that they’re undertaking certain jobs more frequently? Maybe they’ve added new content to their website promoting new offerings? Have new questions and answers been added to their FAQs? These, and many more changes can provide insights into what your customers are looking for and, as a result, what services you should be offering.

Weigh up the benefits of upgrading your equipment vs. the cost

Upgrading equipment requires substantial investment and you need to consider how long it will take you to recoup any outlay. Whilst new equipment may allow you to offer new services, you’ll need to pay attention to how profitable these jobs are and the frequency with which you’re likely to undertake them. Once you have a rough idea of both, you’ll be able to determine how long it’s likely to take for any new drain camera, crawler, etc. to pay itself off.

That said, with any calculations being based on assumptions, investing in equipment always poses a risk. On the other hand, should you decide against investing in new equipment, your competitors may begin outperforming you. Fortunately, DCR has the solution.

Hire the latest equipment

Hiring equipment instead of purchasing it negates both negatives highlighted above. There is no need to make substantial capital investments, but you’ll still be able to access the latest drain inspection technology. In turn, you’ll still be able to offer the same services as your competitors.

Here at DCR, we have a range of inspection equipment including pushrod and crawler cameras capable of maximum runs of up to 500 metres in pipes of diameters of up to 2200mm. We also have a range of pipe and sewer cleaning equipment, specialist jetting and CCTV vehicles, no-dig pipe repair equipment and much, much more!

Click here to view our full range of drainage equipment for hire.