Would You Charge For This?

[Paul.M]

Did a little job last week, a shower in a 30A 3036 Wylex board. Fuse blown, 15A fuse wire had lasted 4 years before slowly burning itself out. Change the fuse wire only and quoted for a board change and off I went. Got a call from him this evening saying that after tonights shower his wife could smell burning coming from the c/u! "I'm on my way" jumped in the bat mobile and there in ten mins. Just as the man said it was starting to burn the plastic finger guard for the shower fuse. The guard was a little bit loose (i didn't touch it last week) and the brass was making contact with it. Also the kitchen was very humid after they did a couple of loads of washing and there was a bit of condensation on the fuse case which would not have helped. Anyway its sorted now and I had the shower running on full temperature for a while and no heat or burning so job done until he can afford a c/u change (he's getting married next month). Gave him the option of a 2 way rcd c/u for the shower and cooker as a temporary measure, giving him a price for that tomorrow. Question is would you have charged for this call out? If it was anything to do with my work previously of course there would be no charge but nothing I did would start burning out the fuse? Your thoughts please ladies and gentleman.

 

[robsparky1975]

Dont think id bother to charge as its only 10 mins away,might decide to go with your price,and give recommendations to friends and family etc that you are a good honest sparks,might get you greater deal of work in the future by letting it go imo.

 

[pennywise]

I wouldn't as there is a strong chance for repeat work, or just add a bit to one quote for fuel or an hrs labour. There's to much explaining to do to try and convince them its purely coincidence, not that it's your fault.

 

[Paul.M]

I'll tell you what I did a bit later on.

 

[JD6400]

No , to be honest if it had been me and not one of our staff that had changed the fuse last week i would not charge for that either .
Bloody stupid i know but i could not justify it to myself , all of our work has come about as a direct result of word of mouth and the way i see it that favour was probably cheaper than a advert that would attract a brace of chancer,s !

 

[Paul.M]

Anyone else like to say what they would have done?

 

[truckster]

Same as Penywise and Rosparky, little time here can pay dividends down the road

 

[Dunc]

Charge him a £100 call out! In all seriousness I probably wouldn't charge anything but stick an extra few quid on the quote for a CU upgrade.

 

[Paul.M]

I've already given him my set price for a c/u change last week. Can't see any problems with it, he's getting the DNO out to change the head, pme and fit and a main issolator and bonding not a problem as both gas and water are in the same cupboard. May have borrowed neutrals in the lights but that's not going to cause any headaches........I must say you are all very nice when it comes down to this type of call out charge. Wonder if I'm the same? Tell you all later, keep them coming .

 

[telectrix]

agree with all above comments. no charge but stick a few quid on future job. haapy hangover, btw.

 

[Mr.Si]

I'd have done the same as above comments too. But, as you say, we're nice people!

 

[mcs.serv]

Agree with above, good PR not to charge, with a view to further work & recommendation to friends & family.

Only problem is when the friends & family expect their "little" jobs to be done FOC as well!

 

[BlueToBits]

IHMO So much depends on the customer. Some customer's expect to pay and don't feel that they have had a professional service if they don't pay. After all, if they haven't paid, they can't complain if they are unhappy. Some feel reluctant to ask you to come back if you don't charge because they feel guilty and don't want you to think they are 'spongers' and are expecting subsequent calls to be free. Some see a free tradesmen as an easy touch and will abuse such offers, some feel that you are trying to 'buy' their recomendation, which is in effect what you are doing, others see it in the spirit it is intended.

 

[Paul.M]

Blue to bits you are spot on sir. Any more gentlemen?

 

[oldtimer]

In a situation like this I would make it safe then say I can quote you for a new board and if you agree to the quote then no charge if not I would bill £45 callout I had this with a customer who said he had a far cheaper quote from another plus he would take this option and paying me £45 and still save money mind I wont say what happened 3 months after when he called again