Realistic call out price?

[littlespark]

knock on the door last night.
“Could you have a look at my electrics. Sockets off, cooker working. Managed to get telly on with an extension lead.”

They couldn’t really say what happened, just that the switch wouldn’t reset.

So walking distance job, find that they’ve had a new db in 2016... rcbo’s all circuits. Downstairs sockets only are off.
However. All tools and testers are in my storage as I’m on holiday now, so that was a 4 mile drive before I get started.

Testing circuit brings up L to E short. So I start splitting the ring. A few likely points where additions have been made or rawlplug holes in the vicinity of where vertical cables runs are.
Problem found in kitchen where a single socket had been spurred from another single... the newish faceplate was the cause.... dead short between the L and E terminals.

So I was there about an hour, plus the drive out and back. Finished at 10pm.

£50 call out plus my usual hourly rate or should I be a little more severe.
No talk of money beforehand, but I did say there would have to be a callout charge.

 

[telectrix]

£40 -£50 call-out plus an hour at XX/hour, IMO.

 

[cliffed]

No thanks then

 

[bill01803]

£50 + 1 hour rate

 

[l4urence]

I always charge a higher rate for the first hour and then hour rate after that. The first hour could be by notice given, so no notice is higher than a weeks notice. Either way, publish or document the charges and display on your website - paperwork. Then everyone knows and it’s no surprise. I also give a better rate to existing customers that pay on time.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I used to do £40 per hr rates for very local jobs , but in reality an hours job always turned into 1.5hrs by the time all was said and done and only ever billed the £40.

My parents recently had a local plumber out to replace a leaky stop tap in the kitchen cupboard and he charge £160.00 plus the tap.
Took him about 45 mins.

Think we are in the wrong job really...

 

[buzzlightyear]

you should be charging £75.00 first hour and £35.00 onwards .

 

[l4urence]

you should be charging £75.00 first hour and £35.00 onwards .

Spot on!

 

[Octopus]

Out of hours should be 50% more than normal daytime rates ....

 

[buzzlightyear]

drinks are on you MURD .now you are back in the arms .

 

[Stspark]

Call out (which is presumably your midweek rate) + out of hours rate + materials

 

[PEG]

I don't want to be the hedgehog on the zeppelin,but these are always things which require thought,before,and not after the visit.

I have always believed that a blanket charging policy,when SE,is impossible to implement. There are so many factors,which can alter arrangements.

I've had four figures,for a 2 hour call-out,and plenty more,where it has actually cost me....and as Seth McFarlanes moose says..."...and everything inbetween..."

 

[baldelectrician]

I used to do call outs for £60 or £80 out of hours.

I don't bother now
I had a call today and I really didnt want to go out, I told the guy £80 call out and £80 per hour or he could wait till Monday and it is £40 per hour.
He said 'I will call back' and didn't

I have realised that it is better to do this as I get 50% of these jobs.
In other words- I was going out 4-5 times a year for £60 call out where I now go 2-3 times a year for £160

I take payment on card before I go out and it saves any hassle about monies. If they don't want to pay they don't get me out.

I value my time off

 

[Pete999]

I don't want to be the hedgehog on the zeppelin,but these are always things which require thought,before,and not after the visit.

I have always believed that a blanket charging policy,when SE,is impossible to implement. There are so many factors,which can alter arrangements.

I've had four figures,for a 2 hour call-out,and plenty more,where it has actually cost me....and as Seth McFarlanes moose says..."...and everything inbetween..."

You're hourly rate plus 20%

 

[baldelectrician]

You're hourly rate plus 20%

Doubled