Shop Owners with a "R" stamp?

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I have a growing weld and fab shop who has come at some crossroads. I am wondering if anyone else out there proceeded to get their R-stamp with any regrets. Is it worth the hassle? What was typically the shop rate before the change and did you dramatically raise income afterwards? I have the work banging down my door but I just dont know if I can deal with the paperwork!Give me some advise -
Reply:R-stamp?????
Reply:An "R" Stamp is "given" (ie - authorized) to companies that satisfy certain requirements which indicate a capability to safely perform repairs on Boilers, etc.  The scope of the "R" Stamp may be different from one company to the next.  A "R" Stamp authorizes you to do repairs and alterations (design functions required) to Boilers and Pressure Vessels (including Power Piping), at a main shop and field sites controlled by the main site.It is an expensive and lengthy process. To be exact - $3510. You bet your azz "R" certified shops charge more! http://www.nationalboard.org/Nationa...s/R_Stamp.aspxJohn -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Thanks, MicroZoneI googled it after I posted the question - I prolly shoulda before I asked
Reply:Nah - that's why we're all here...to help. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I say go for it, this will put you a notch above the other weld shops around that can't do the specialized boiler and pressure vessel work. You can always resort back to what you were doing before the r stamp. You said work was knocking your door down, is this for the r stamp work? If it is what do you have to loose, as long as you or your employees have the ability and tools to perform the task. The paper work part of the job is always the hardest in the beginnings, after a couple of times doing it you will settle right in. Charge more for the r stamp, this is something that the other local weld shops can not supply, and remember the paper work takes time also, and that $3510 to get the certification, yes you charge more.Good luck with what ever you decide to do.Just remember that no one can take the education away from you, you just have to figure out how and where to apply it to make money.G3miller... 225g, s32p, 250x, 304, 12vs, MSW41     victor o/a thermal dynamics cutmaster 50 lenco panel spotter        hobart hf-boxG3 Farms.....raising cattle, hay, kids and hell, ...oh yeah I'm a fire sprinkler contractor by trade.
Reply:If you think that there will be a market for the work covered by the stamp, it may be worthwhile. The $3k is only the beginning of the costs, though. Code books to cover the scope of your work, three year review for renewal, retainer and contract fees for the AI (authorized inspector) and agency, etc. It isn't cheap. Some AI's will want to do annual audits (worthwhile to you: reduces the risk of problems later), etc.The STARTING point is evaluating yourself to see if you have the skills and experience, then contact insurance/inspection agencies and see if you can find an AI-- he (almost all are male) can be your best friend in getting the work done. Writing a book is not for the uninitiated, so, if you decide to do this, you may want to see if you can find an experienced person to help you do it.Keep in mind that it is a fairly small world... If you mess up badly or make a bad impression, word will get around and things will become much more difficult. Key is: no one knows everything, and no one is expected to. Don't overextend your knowledge base. If you need help, get it and learn.
Reply:Thanks, for your support guys. I know its a huge undertaking. I may just put it on the back burner until I can get to the point where I can get at least a couple workers ,other than myself , to be able to do the work too.Johnny
Reply:Hey Johnny, I urge you to get your "R" stamp. Customers sometimes have to look across counties and states to get  good "R" stamp shop work. I am really excited for you. I hope it goes through. Not everybody gets a chance to do this.
Reply:dont you have to carry like a million dollar bond the company i work for has it and i believe thats the amount it was i cant remember but it is up thereComplete Fabrication Shop specializing in pipe fabrication. Also offering heavy steel fabrication and sheet metal work.
Reply:Originally Posted by scubaholicdont you have to carry like a million dollar bond the company i work for has it and i believe thats the amount it was i cant remember but it is up there
Reply:I carry 2 million in business insurance already.  Also , I guess the "R" is for fired pressure vessels like a boiler and the "U" stamp is for unfired  as in air compressor or propane tank. Which also means you probably get the U first and then get the R.  just FYIJohnny
Reply:Originally Posted by JohnnyWeldI carry 2 million in business insurance already.  Also , I guess the "R" is for fired pressure vessels like a boiler and the "U" stamp is for unfired  as in air compressor or propane tank. Which also means you probably get the U first and then get the R.  just FYIJohnny