Independent Contractor Operations

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Independent Contractor Operations [Abstract]

Independent Contractor Operations

8.   Independent Contractor Operations

The Roto-Rooter segment sublicenses with 66 independent contractors to operate certain plumbing repair and drain claning businesses in lesser-populated areas of the United States and Canada.  We had notes receivable from our independent contractors as of June 30, 2013 totaling $1.2 million (December 31, 2012 - $1.3 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 June 30, 2013.  We recorded the following from our independent contractors (in thousands):

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenues	$	8,154	$	6,809	$	16,364	$	13,491
Pretax profits		4,513		3,732		8,771		6,813