Unfortunately, we'll have to increase our prices to keep up with our costs, no matter if the costs are fuel or copper wire. This is how inflation works.
I usually absorb a small increase in my costs as long as I can to see if the cost increase (in fuel, etc.) is the result of a temporary spike. If it looks like it's gonna be forever, like the price of gas looks now, I've gotta bump my rate.
So, the answer is yes. I've had to bump my rate up by a dollar an hour in the last month. This barely covers the increase, so I may have to go another 50 cents or so if things don't level out a bit.
This won't make my customers jump for joy, but unlike copper or other building material price increases, they are well aware of the increased price of fuel because they are getting hit too. What else are we supposed to do, pay to work? No, thanks!
If they come out with a 250hp smart car with a bed on it that gets 30mpg+, I'll be the first in line baby.
