Frequently asked Questions/ For your Information

• What kind of projects/Products can you design and build?

  Really anything that doesn’t require complex electrical involvement (complicated wiring and computer/PLC programming). With our mechanical engineering background we can design, build, and service most machinery. However, we specialize in power equipment and agricultural machinery. Whether it be mechanical or electrical issues with your commercial mower, a chainsaw that won’t run right, tune-ups and service, or you need a part made that no one else makes anymore. We are happy to help.

  We also love unique projects, such as pulling tractors, antique machinery, and engine/mechanical machining. Feel free to pitch your project idea to us and we will see if we can help.

  We are able to design, weld, fabricate, machine, sandblast, and paint according to project scope. But there are some practical considerations in which projects we take. We can’t match or beat the price of some parts and assemblies that are mass produced, check and see if you can get the part or machine you need from a widely available vendor or retailer first. This is not always the case so please feel free to request a quote.

  Usually, what you buy off the shelf at a retailer is made by the thousands or millions. There’s dedicated machinery, fixturing, and production tooling that a company invested thousands of dollars into to make just that one product at a rapid rate. We are making one or very few with universal machinery, which is why it takes longer and is much more expensive. Likewise, we cannot compete with overseas labor and materials.

  We also refresh and recoat old parts and equipment. We offer abrasive blasting and have a paint booth large enough to fit a crew-cab eight-foot-bed DRW pickup.

It doesn’t hurt to ask though, so regardless, feel free to give us a call and if we can’t pursue your project the worst that will happen is we politely decline your Request for Quotation.

• understanding shop rates- Do you really make that much an hour?

  When looking at a quote, it might be hard to see everything that goes into the number just by looking at it. Labor might be quoted at $75 an hour for welding services, but no employees here pocket $75 an hour. The shop labor rate must be able to cover costs of operation as well as provide income. $75 an hour, using a rule of thumb, provides a technician a median rate of $25 an hour. The rest goes to paying for insurance for the business, investing in the company, saving money for repairs to the facility and equipment in the future, covering software, accounting for time that can’t be billed (estimates, facilities upkeep) and covering other monthly expenses. In a given month, our current single person operation might be able to bill 80 hours even though they worked 45 hours a week.

  We also markup raw materials and purchase parts as a way to fund business growth and reward risk in funding customer’s projects before completion and payment in full.

  You might find someone who does it cheaper and that’s okay, but you get what you pay for and we make it worth it. When you purchase products or services from Carlson Diversified Engineering, you’re paying more for quality and attention to detail. You’re also recirculating your money back into the local economy and stimulating local business.