Independent Contractor Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Independent Contractor Operations [Abstract]

Independent Contractor Operations

8.    Independent Contractor Operations

The Roto-Rooter segment sublicenses with 64 independent contractors to operate certain plumbing repair and drain cleaning businesses in lesser-populated areas of the United States and Canada.  We had notes receivable from our independent contractors as of March 31, 2012 totaling $1.1 million (December 31, 2011 - $1.1 million).  In most cases these loans are fully or partially secured by equipment owned by the contractor.  The interest rates on the loans range from 0% to 8% per annum and the remaining terms of the loans range from 2 months to 5 years at March 31, 2012.  We recorded the following from our independent contractors (in thousands):

	Three months ended  March 31,
	2012		2011
Revenues	$	6,682	$	6,512
Pretax profits		3,082		2,987