How much would you charge in London

[Gringoking88]

Hi all,

I was called out at 2100 on a Sunday, in the greater London area and tbh I have no idea how much to charge so am looking for some guidance please. It was fault finding a lighting circuit (lights in the extension would not work) and at the time I did not want to leave my house lol so I explained to the customer I would come but if it was not a quick fix I would have to come again at a more suitable time. The customer said that was fine.

I attended and could not find the extension connection so left. Since then the customer has a builder who was doing other stuff and new exactly where the junction box was and fixed the problem suspect he was also the cause!

I was there just over an hour at 2100 on a Sunday and am curious how much you guys would charge?

Many thanks,

Martin

 

[7029 dave]

Agree a call out fee in advance, before you even set off.

 

[The Ghost]

An interesting array of responses!

Yeah well it goes to show the very individual ways of seeing things. I havent gone "skint" in 44 years on the job quite the contrary. It's just the way I feel about it, if I did not do something for the customer I feel guilty about charging. But maybe you are right its food for thought anyhow. Vive la difference!

 

[Pete999]

Yeah well it goes to show the very individual ways of seeing things. I havent gone "skint" in 44 years on the job quite the contrary. It's just the way I feel about it, if I did not do something for the customer I feel guilty about charging. But maybe you are right its food for thought anyhow. Vive la difference!

Surely, though Mate if you are called out cold on a weekend, if you have any loyalty you would attend the call out, on arriving all you can do is make safe and advisem and add you will deal with it in the morning, when you can access spare etc it warrants a fee. I the client / householder wants to approach his/her builder then that's their problem, they called you out after all.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I wouldn't be doing any call out (apart from for friends and family) for free.

 

[The Ghost]

they called you out after all.

Well as I said it is food for thought, I think it would depend a lot on the particular circumstances. But I do not reject the idea of a charge absolutely, I am not (quite) that foolish its just I have not looked at it that way, which I am now considering. The way you put it, well hell no, I am going to charge. And in fact I am on call out commercial buildings wise and have been called and did not rectify but charged so I spose I'm a bit tongue in cheek here so......

 

[GMES]

Not charging for a callout is just silly, regardless of what you do or don't do on arrival is irrelevant. what Does matter is think about what it takes for you to get there.

Van
road tax
van insurance
van test
diesel
servicing
van livery
Tools= list is endlless
work clothes
testers
yearly calibrations
scheme membership costs/ days work lost to do assessment
HMRC tax and NI
years of training
all the books you buy and have to work to
Advertising cost
Public liability /indemnity/ employers.

After reading that list anyone who feels guilty for charging a minimal call out charge needs slapping with a wet fish.

 

[Pete999]

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Doesn't matter where in the UK it is

 

[The Ghost]

I consider myself so slapped. Ouch

 

[Pete999]

I consider myself so slapped. Ouch

Go and stand on the naughty step you bad bad Lad lol

 

[J.C.E]

in that case....why is plimico so cheap!

 

[KennyKen]

Too right charging a Call out fee. Obviously the right thing would be to negotiate before you attend. I've dealt with Snotty Academic types in London who have contempt for the understanding of general Electrics. Who will want a job completed that evening. Not understanding the complications like Lack of Light. Lack of Access. Irritability of customer because of the unduly hour of the evening. After a lot of experience I tend to be very forward in the way I explain things. Exactly how I would explain something to my child. Step by step.

 

[Gringoking88]

Thanks all for the reply, interesting responses.