That may be the best advice but it's sure confusing. Charlie really needs to break it into a couple of examples of the formulas he's using so you can see what he's doing.

I'm a licensed master electrician and a licensed, degreed electrical engineer. After reading it twice I still struggle with it. I don't doubt what he's saying but you MUST be consistant with billing - especially if you have employees.

We charge the service call on every service call, $40.00. Then a reasonable flat rate from there, based on what is done.

Can't beat a flat rate. Every other system uses it. You don't get charged at McDonalds for how long it took them to fry you hamburger or cook you fries, or whether the manager did it or it was one of his flunkies. To do this, costs this much, regardless of whos doing the work.

If it's a 'we need a light fixture changed' type of call, I'll charge $40.00 to get there and $50.00 to hang the light. Conditions: 10' ceiling max, no crystal chandeliers, light fixture is under 50 lbs.

Haven't met a GC yet that wasn't shady. We do very little if any service work for them.
Experience has shown us they are the least likely to pay of anybody. Poor people pay better than GC's.

[This message has been edited by PE&Master (edited 11-03-2006).]