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The number one question of consumers everywhere is: “How much will this cost?” Although price is the number one concern we all have before making a purchase, it can be difficult to find price information.

Like many industries, the drain care industry has previously not been transparent about pricing, which has frustrated our customers. This article intends to end that frustration and provide information on how much a drain care contract with State Chemical costs.

State Chemical provided hundreds of new customers with drain maintenance through drain care contracts last year alone. This article details how much our clients paid in 2023.

How much did clients pay in 2023?

In 2023, most State Chemical customers paid between $2,000 and $8,000 annually on drain care program agreements. This breaks down to between $165 - $665 per month. The average cost per customer in this range was $4,800 annually, or $400 per month. We have a few customers spending significantly more, but these are exceptional situations. The cost of treating a few kitchen drains is considerably lower than the cost of maintaining many lift stations throughout a hospital complex.

What Am I Paying For in a Drain Care Contract?

A drain care contract with State Chemical, also known as a “program agreement,” is a contract in which State Chemical provides you with regular preventative drain maintenance. Preventative maintenance treats the drains in your facility to prevent backups, reduce pump outs of grease traps, and prevent lift stations from overflowing.

The goal of a preventative drain care contract is worry free drains that work. It will provide you with peace of mind that your drains are handled. A preventative drain maintenance contract includes five components:

1. Chemicals – The chemicals that provide preventative maintenance to your drains
2. Equipment – A dosage station that slowly dispenses the chemicals into your drain so that there is a consistent flow of chemicals into your drain
3. Shipping – We ship the chemicals directly to you
4. Service – Included in the price is service; we will change the bucket of chemicals when it is empty and fix or replace the dosing equipment when necessary
5. Inventory Management – We will make sure you have the right amount of chemicals to care for your drains

What is Not Included in the Price?

At State Chemical, everything is included in the consolidated price on the invoice except tax. Your invoice will include a separate line item for tax.

What factors determine the price?

Significant price determinates include:

• How many drains you need to be treated
  • The more drains, the more expensive the agreement
• Which chemical you use to treat the drain - different chemicals are at various prices
  • Different floating degreasers and biologicals cost distinct amounts. For example, Orange Buoy is a more expensive product because the active ingredient orange oil is costly and the market for orange oil is volatile
• How much chemical needs to be dispensed into your drain – this is determined by the size of the drain, the flow rate of material through the drain, what type of material flows through the drain, and the strength of the drain care product
  • The more chemicals you dispense per day, the more chemicals you will need to buy as part of the program agreement

Is the Price of Preventative Maintenance Worth It?

Most of our customers find that preventative maintenance is cheaper than reactive drain maintenance. Reactive drain maintenance responds to a drain problem after it occurs, while preventative drain maintenance prevents a problem before it happens.

We like to think of preventative maintenance as insurance. While it is more expensive up front, it prevents higher costs down the road. For example, a casino in Colorado did not pump out their interceptors in the grease traps, leading to a grease backup. The grease was so impacted that they had to “chisel away at the grease.” You can prevent this type of backup through proper preventative maintenance.

To determine if a preventative drain maintenance contract will be cheaper than reactive drain care, compare the cost of the contract with what you have spent and could spend on reactive drain care. Ask yourself questions such as, “How much would an emergency plumber cost if my drain backs up?” to determine which is right for you.

What does my invoice look like?

Your invoice will include one consolidated drain maintenance program price and a separate line item for tax.

How often do I pay?

Clients provide payment either monthly or quarterly.

The punch line: Drain Care Program Agreements Provide the Preventative Maintenance You Need

A drain care program agreement with State Chemical can start for as little as $200 per month. For this price, State Chemical will provide you with worry free drains that work, giving you peace of mind. The contract price includes chemicals, equipment, shipping, service, and inventory management, but does not include tax. You can expect to pay this amount in monthly or quarterly payments. To sign up for a drain care program agreement with State Chemical, contact us and a local representative will reach out.