Hi Vernam,
What other people charge or do is no real concern of mine, each to their own.
8hours to change a db and test/inspect!!!!
To do a proper inspection and test can be time taking, depending on the particular situation (if the diyers have been playing), but even if the job took five or six hours, this leaves little time to do anything else that day.
I take it you visit the job beforehand to give the estimate ?, this has to be paid for, the time taken to fill in the EIC and register the job and any other paper work, again has to be paid for, the time taken to buy the bits, again has to be paid for, unless of course you don't take this into account ?
My average timeframe (I allow) is 4 hours for the DB change, including a quickpre-test (at the estimate stage), picking up bits and identifying circuits etc... etc. and then 4 hours for the final tests, filling in certs, registering the job etc. etc.
I record all of the test results and other required info 'roughly' on site, and then fill them in properly (neatly) afterwards.
This does not include rectifying major problems, but does include rectifying simpler problems as required.
If I come across say a loose connection on a S/O for example I would then check all of the others, this of course has to be paid for, after all Iam not a charity.
As others have said, I allow plenty of time in case of something unforseen. This is not overcharging or padding the job out in my view, because I do a very thorough test and inspection afterwards, for my own peace of mind as much as the mandatory regs, and I do not want call backs which may not be charged for.
As to £12 an hour, what if you have to go back at a later date to replace a faulty item ?, not your fault, but this has to be taken into account, at that rate (in reality about £8 an hour) there goes any small profit you have made, and this also does not take into account your quiet patches, additional training, re-newing of technical books and a myriad of other hidden costs.
Far be it for me to criticise you here, as long as you are happy with that, that is fine as well.
Just to put this into perspective, I know a gas fitter (Gas safe) registered, and he won't start the van for less than £50, and he is one of the better/cheaper ones.
Edit: I meant to say my pricing is broadly similar to Tel's above, and is fully inclusive, ie. all certs and registration included in the price.
I have known some Electrical contractors advertise a low price for the work and then bang on an extra £100 for the paperwork.
