Emergency call outs - DOMESTIC - Small one man band companies

[1shortcircuit]

Being pestered by a certain advertiser at the moment and something has come up in discussion about emergency call out. Now at the moment I don't provide this service but what I would like to try and establish is... Is there much of a requirement for this service in the Domestic Sector. I've only recently started to trade as a sole trader at this moment in time and trying to get my name established in my area.

I was targeting a 20 mile radius to start with but after quoting on two jobs in the same day at 22 miles away and not winning either I have scrapped this idea and decided to focus every ounce of energy into a six mile radius. At least if I do not win the jobs I quote for in this area it has not cost me a great deal of time and money in fuel and hopefully the work I do allow good reviews in the local area.

I'm going to add a poll to see if I can obtain a better idea but I would love to hear your thoughts and know if it works for you. Also, if it's not too much to ask, what do you charge for the priviledge of being dragged from your nice comfy bed at ridiculous o'clock in the morning?

Thanks for your input

 

[sythai]

(whoops - just realised it was for domestic..... can you delete my post please)

 

[nickblake]

£60 plus VAT inc first half hour ,you have to cover the costs its not just fuel its time getting there etc

 

[Guest123]

I will attend call outs but only after firstly discussing the issues/ramifications at length over the phone, unless they are elderly or dependent on medical equipment at home etc.


I've been had too many times with call outs in the middle of the night by people who just cant manage without their electricity until 7 or 8am in the morning, only to find out it's because they cant play bloody x-box!!!

 

[alarm man]

id imagine it would be quite profitable,tho once you commit your tied down,in the security game small companies who have to offer 24hr call have buddy companies,ie you cover their customers when your on and they cover yours when your on holiday etc if you can find another local spark to share the hours you'll do fine

 

[nickblake]

ive got an elderly ladyinfact just come off the phone with her she starts crying as soon as i answer then you get her full medical history and a call out can take 2 hours just cause you cant get away ,another one got called out xmas day last year turkey in there cold oven family round no electricity 3 hours of searching found the fault just charged the call out well it was xmas and , 2 days later a hamper of food and wine was left on the door step with a thank you card that to me was better than the call out fee

 

[Richard Burns]

I do not specifically provide emergency call outs because I cannot guarantee to be available 24/7 (not that I have a life, just might be away). However I do tell my customers that they can call IN AN EMERGENCY at any time and I will do my best to respond. Most people do not feel they can call "out of hours" so I do not get many calls.

 

[topquark]

When called I will try to gauge whether or not it can wait till the morning (depending on who's calling and what the symptoms are). Call out fee includes the first hour labour. Be wary of travelling too far on call out though!

It can impact your other work though, if it can wait it may impact your plans for the next day. I do offer call out support for any work I've done.

 

[Phil]

I know a guy that did call outs for the council. dodgy area so two vans attended, 1 would wait with the van. 11pm ish I think on a friday or saturday night he goes up to the high rise flat and knocks on the door. guy shouts come in. then calls im in the bedroom, gets to the door and asks what the problem is the guy wanted his light turning on. nothing wrong at all just could not be bothered getting out of bed. I won`t post what he said as its not in the arms but im sure you can imagine

 

[alarm man]

I know a guy that did call outs for the council. dodgy area so two vans attended, 1 would wait with the van. 11pm ish I think on a friday or saturday night he goes up to the high rise flat and knocks on the door. guy shouts come in. then calls im in the bedroom, gets to the door and asks what the problem is the guy wanted his light turning on. nothing wrong at all just could not be bothered getting out of bed. I won`t post what he said as its not in the arms but im sure you can imagine

i bet it was wheres the switch...:ninja:

 

[cbw]

I got called as a Paramedic to change the channel on a tv!!

When I refused he was abusive and then reported ME for being obnoxious!!!!

 

[Phil]

I got called as a Paramedic to change the channel on a tv!!

When I refused he was abusive and then reported ME for being obnoxious!!!!

I would have been tempted to kick the tv off the stand or wall whatever it was on. make me sick calls like that some poor sod is waiting longer for an ambulance (rant over) :censored:

 

[davetherave1979]

Got called out on xmas eve at 9pm cooker switch getting hot and the cooker wasnt working called the lady back at 945pm as left phone in office told her it would cost £120.00 for me to come out and look at wats wrong and try and get cooker working some way but she said here son looked at the switches and it is now working she said she would have a think about getting me out at that cost i think she thought i would come for free do you think that was a fair rate it was only a mile from home

 

[PC Electrics]

Got called out on xmas eve at 9pm cooker switch getting hot and the cooker wasnt working called the lady back at 945pm as left phone in office told her it would cost £120.00 for me to come out and look at wats wrong and try and get cooker working some way ......... do you think that was a fair rate it was only a mile from home

Chances are that it would have been an hour or less to effect a temp repair. I'd have said £60. I'll bet she rang around and found someone nearer that figure.

I don't offer an "emergency service" as such. I tell existing clients they can call on me any time if they have an emergency. I'll answer any calls that come in out of hours and assess over the phone whether they need help right away or it can wait. If possible I'll help over the phone (eg RCD trip). If it needs a visit and I'm happy to go, then I will. Doesn't happen very often though.

The trouble with advertising an emergency service is that you have to provide one! If I fancy going over the pub for my tea and have a couple of jars, then I can. If someone calls, they'll just have to wait.

I have had calls from people who have waited overnight off their own back before calling.

 

[alarm man]

Got called out on xmas eve at 9pm cooker switch getting hot and the cooker wasnt working called the lady back at 945pm as left phone in office told her it would cost £120.00 for me to come out and look at wats wrong and try and get cooker working some way but she said here son looked at the switches and it is now working she said she would have a think about getting me out at that cost i think she thought i would come for free do you think that was a fair rate it was only a mile from home

Seems fair price for an Xmas eve call,unless they were regular customer would have went to down to £80