Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup

I’ve long suspected that many crime & trauma scene cleanup companies are overcharging clients.  This feeling was somewhat substantiated the other day when I received an email from a well known company in this industry.  The email was a solicatation for referral business.  Attached to the email was a well drafted contract that guarateed me (or whomever referred business) a $750 referral fee. 

Bio-Trauma 911, Inc. routinely offers up to $200 as a referral fee.  The last two such checks cut were for $100.  This isn’t because the company is cheap, it’s because we don’t charge the client enough to justify any more than $100 as a referral fee.  I have to believe that most companies in this industry would be more than satisfied with a profit of $750 for a job.   The majority of the jobs our technicians work take approximately 6 hours from start to finish.  Since we send two techs, we would calculate the total cost of the job based on 12 hours.  If we were to see a profit of $750 for a 12 hour job, which rarely if ever we see, the hourly profit would be $62.50.  So, how does a company afford to pay out $750 for a referral fee?  I have to assume they’re charging the client far too much for their services.  Maybe insurance is paying for it - is it ok now to overcharge?

Although I can’t control what other companies charge, I do make it a point to let potential clients know about the wide range of prices charged throughout the industry.