Call Outs and pricing !

[Soulsurfer]

Hey all, just been scratching head while playing with Quickbooks at this hour ! and just thinking I haven't been charging a callout fee up to now and customers are a bit confused as they have said a few times now they have always been charged one before especially for night hours. Am I missing a trick here as everywhere I worked for companies charged quite a hefty fee. As was first year on my own I've only charged either on way to site or only on site time and been doing quite a few hours for free. Also does anyone reduce rate hourly for longer jobs as I haven't. I always kept it at a reasonable fee every job. Lastly if you quote / estimate a 4 way CU change etc.. and get there and while pulling out gear out find an extra full days work to get CU and associated wiring to standards and extra materials and the like do you inform client and get agreement that it's going to not be for the same cash as original quote as I end up losing out too much by feeling bad for them. Sorry it's a bit long winded.

 

[NDG Elecs]

You need to toughen up sonny Jim! Saying that I am soft as sheet with some of the oldies.
And have charged nowt on a good few occasions.

I normally charge a fixed rate for the first hr and approx 30% less for subsequent hours. If the customer is an existing one that I like, is local and I think I will get future work from I have been known to knock a tenner of my initial callout fee if I am only there for say 20 mins.

You need to make the customer aware that changing a 3036 board to an RCD protected type for instance, will highlight faults that may have not shown up before. Some preliminary tests should give you an idea as to what's what. Make client aware at the quote stage that unforeseen issues may arise and are chargeable.

I don't much like discussing costs and money in person, much prefer to send emails detailing them.

 

[Octopus]

This is included on ALL my CU quotes and some other work:

"NB: If problems are detected during the fuseboard change additional work may be required. Such issues and associated
costs will be discussed with you, prior to being implemented"

Never had a compliant when extra work is identified, discussed and charged

As for call outs you should be charging more for out of hours work - I uplift my rates by 50%

 

[edrobbo8]

You need to be flexible in your approach with call out charges - some jobs are just not worth going to without a call out charge, whereas some customers (regular ones) sometime get a discount.

For example, I had a callout on Sunday, not far away, guy was worried as he knocked a light while moving a wardrobe - went round, 2 loose wires going to the pendant, tightened up, and charged a small fee (£30) as it was a Sunday. 5 minute job, he was happy, so was I!

 

[Octopus]

You need to be flexible in your approach with call out charges - some jobs are just not worth going to without a call out charge, whereas some customers (regular ones) sometime get a discount.

For example, I had a callout on Sunday, not far away, guy was worried as he knocked a light while moving a wardrobe - went round, 2 loose wires going to the pendant, tightened up, and charged a small fee (£30) as it was a Sunday. 5 minute job, he was happy, so was I!

A degree of flexibility is always prudent with clients, both new and existing ones!