Call out

[helpsy]

Just wondering how many people charge call out?
I have just started out on my own and posted cards out in my local area and someone responded by e-mail and asked what my call out was and hourly rate.
I wasn't thinking of charging a call out( or would it be in my best interest?) and as hourly, because I'm new into the job in the real world,I won't be as quick as you more experienced guys, so thought I would just charge a fixed price for the job.
Any opinions greatly appreciated positive or negative
Cheers

 

[traineedrip]

I charge nothing to view/quote the job, no call out charge unless its an emergency then its double the hourly rate.

I quote per job and base it on my hourly rate X what i think an experienced plumber would do it in. So the customer gets a job price and knows up front the cost and ive no pressure on rushing any jobs.

But i think it depends on the job, some you wont know whats involved until you start and then it has to be hourly/daily rates.
Youve also got to fall in line with locals to some extent. If your the only one charging a call out your going to suffer.

 

[secret squirrel]

I do the same as traineedrip regards quote for work. I try and not give too much away though, people may give it a go themselves if you say too much.

On the call outs depends on whether there a customer already, I have a few elderly customers who tend to worry about everything, so I arrange to pop around the next day and give a quote.

If water is pouring through the ceiling different kettle of fish. Then, I don't like the term call out charge, I charge an hourly rate, if, its 2am on sunday morning then the rate does increase.

Its very difficult, I got a job last week due to another plumber asking for debit/credit card details before he'd attend.....

I tend to charge a minimum for a job, if its a tap washer, you still have to drive there, have a washer in your van and then fit it. The 10-15 min tap washer has cost me an hour incl traveling.

I'm rambling now but I do feel bad sometimes but I still have costs.

 

[helpsy]

Yeah
I get you with the costs etc.I want it to be fair for me and the customer

 

[paulga]

Just wondering how many people charge call out?
I have just started out on my own and posted cards out in my local area and someone responded by e-mail and asked what my call out was and hourly rate.
I wasn't thinking of charging a call out( or would it be in my best interest?) and as hourly, because I'm new into the job in the real world,I won't be as quick as you more experienced guys, so thought I would just charge a fixed price for the job.
Any opinions greatly appreciated positive or negative
Cheers

when you say "call out" do mean getting called out to do a job or just called out to do a quote?

 

[helpsy]

Called out to do a job or in the middle of the night

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

Quotes you will find you will have to de for free as most others do

You wont get call outs for quotes on small jobs they just give you the problem and want to know the cost of fixing it

 

[johnmcginty]

Try not to have a callout charge , though I do have a cancellation fee to bump off the timewasters or for people who phoned me due to a drip from the flat above who wont answer his door .