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#159087 10/28/06 08:27 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 187
HCE727 Offline OP
Member
Do you add Service Call charges to every job that you do, whether you looked at the job or not. Whether it is for a private customer or for GC's that you work for?


Hank
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#159088 10/31/06 12:21 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
E
Member
Working for a service company I charge a service charge on every call. When the job is done I waive the service charge. Usually the job pays for the traveling. But I use up front pricing not hourly. I would assume using hourly you would need to charge a SERVICE FEE.

#159089 11/02/06 08:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 39
W
Member

#159090 11/03/06 02:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 138
P
Member
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).]

#159091 11/03/06 07:57 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
I understand Greer's pricing method if anyone wants to email me. Good advice about GCs...don't walk, RUN!

Dave

#159092 11/03/06 10:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
L
LK Offline
Member
"I'll charge $40.00 to get there and $50.00 to hang the light."

Are you in business or just doing some side work?, at $50 it would not even pay the overhead, at most small, one man shops.

#159093 11/06/06 08:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 138
P
Member
Believe it or not but I'm around a 25% profit margin...and have been for about a year. I have 4 employees and 3 service trucks. My average service call is closer to $350.

I get there for $100 but sale three times that. Haven't you ever walked into a store for something cheap and walked out with an armload of stuff?

How about that $15.99 oil change and you wind up buying new tires while your there, and flush the tranny? It's salesmanship.

#159094 11/08/06 08:33 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
PE&Master,

I understand the salesmanship part, but I'm confused about the "getting there"...is it $40, or $100?

Dave

#159095 11/20/06 04:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 201
A
Member
Yea I interpreted what he said as $40 too.

I wouldnt even leave the shop for $40


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