What would you charge for this job?

[77401]

Let compare prices in different parts of the world..OK?
Here is the job....

Replace a 4' 2 lamp ballast in a closet fixture. 9 foot ceilings, standard magnetic ballast.
the job is located within 10 minutes of your shop.
And break down the cost so we can all compare.
I'll go first.
this is of course Houston Texas

Labor = $85
Materials =$25
Total Invoice =$110.00

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Labor....$50.00
Material....$20.00

Total....$70.00

Chippewa Falls, WI.

[peter d]

High enough to make a profit, low enough to get the job and be competitive.

[77401]

Peter'd
& just how much is that?
Is it that hard for you to quote real numbers on a real job????

[peter d]

Peter'd
& just how much is that?
Is it that hard for you to quote real numbers on a real job????

All I'm saying is that it makes no difference what other people in other parts of the country would charge for this. There are dozens of variables that will affect the price from one area to the next. It's like comparing apples to hamburgers.

The only thing that matters is that YOU make money and stay in business. That is why I reply that way when these questions are asked.

Now, that said, if there are other members from Houston or surrounding areas here, they will be able to better help you get an idea of what to charge.

[celtic]

I would T&M it.

Why?

Because the ride over and back, time to load/unload a ladder, paperwork, etc... would consume more time than changing out 1 single fixture.

[77401]

Perter'd
I already told ya what I charge.
Chipewa said what he'd charge.
I don't expect anyone to judge either of us, as different parts of the country, & even my town warrant different wages.

If your not going to answer a post with a correct answer why do you bother?
I don't expect anyone here is expecting an apple to apple answer.
I don't even expect an apple to apple answer from anyone here in Houston.
So I can only assume your either embarrassed by what your charging, allbeit, too much or too little or you are just an unemployed union apprentice, waiting your turn on the books.
But hey!
Keep replying to post with wasted answers & wasting our reading time.
Its a free WWW

[LarryFine]

Labor = $85
Materials =$25
Total Invoice =$110.00
Right on the money, for a strip fixture; for a wrap-around, I'd add $15.

[growler]

Normally it's not good to do anything without a 2 hr. minimum but a job that's 10 minutes away and I'm sure will not take over 30 minutes .

Labor: $ 97.50

Maretials: $ 25.00
--------------------------
Total: $122.50

[satcom]

Our objective is to stay in business, so that type of job, would be flat rate, could be anywhere from $139 to $189 on the low side to $189 to $250 on the high side, depending on your overhead, and operating costs, and the local economic conditions.

[iwire]

Keep replying to post with wasted answers & wasting our reading time.

Would you like your forum membership fee returned?

[j_erickson]

I'd bill T&M, too. Realistically should be under an hour, including paperwork for simple invoice (providing ballast is in the truck) - but there should be a minimum. What are the circumstances? Are you expected to have the replacement ballast on the truck when you arrive? Did someone tell you that it's a 4' 2lamp magnetic, and are you going to take their word?

If it were as simple as you stated, then cost is about what I'd charge. Providing I can do it on a flexible schedule, sort of at my convenience. Anything else, there would be a minimum charge to show up.

[celtic]

Keep replying to post with wasted answers & wasting our reading time.

Would you like your forum membership fee returned?

You mean this place isn't FREE!

Now I'm gonna have to make some money to pay for this membership fee:



http://webserve.govst.edu/users/ghrank/Assets/Images/rent_blackboard.jpg

[77401]

Wow
This is so very interesting on how many of you think & react to a simple job like this.
I'd like to talk more in detail about this...
With out any disrespect... but just for the sake of conversation.

Obvioulsly many businesses don't want this type of work? WHY NOT?

If you answered ...T&M... then what is your time charge? & what would you charge for the ballast? You do know your cost on a ballast, right?
If your charging T & M? would you drag this out & make a big deal out of it for a full hour?NOr would you just do the job, charge afiar amount and leave with your self respect?

What scope of work do you prefer to do, or, is it that you specialize in?

What is your typical job or day like?

What sort of Electrical truck would not have a 120 volt 2 lamp 4 foot ballast on it all the time?

To me a job like this is like taking candy from a baby. Remember it was less than 10 minutes from me. I can pick this up on the way to or from a big job or even lunch.
Paperwork? I fill in the owners name and address, write "replace a ballast" & total it. It takes a free king minute!
Mean while I strike up a conversation with the customer & build a quick raport with them. Put my "for service Call" sticker on their breaker panel leave them a few cards, play fetch with the dog, look at the family photo from the ski vacation, make a few skiing comments & I'm done.
I now own this customer. They are mine! When their breaker trips & they can't find which one it is or can't reset it , or when their dimmer switch quits I get to take more candy from them!!
Now I just sit back & wait for the referalls they most surely will send.

LOOK, we got to have a minimun charge & be able to quote it to customers. I will up my minimun for the first 1/2 hour if the job is 20 minutes away, this just helps cover drive time for small stuff

[celtic]

Having just come back from having taxes done....

I would charge them $75 per man/hour.
Material costs would be $30 for the ballast and $5 for the lamps (and you were gonna re-use the same lamps )

It should take:
- 30 minutes to change the ballast and tubes,
- 05 minutes to clean the lense and replace same (who doesn't carry Windex?)
- 20 minutes to/from shop.
- 10 minutes of paperwork (writing an invoice does not include paying the supplier or actually buying the item, entering tax/job info into software, etc)
- 15 minutes loading/unloading truck (10 in/5 out)

This is in a perfect world of cleaned out closets in ranch homes without small children and dogs running amuck and assuming the fixture was installed properly in the first place and where parking is not the biggest obstacle to getting the job done.

In MY world, those conditions are non-existent.
My world consistist of no parking for a 5 block radius around job location, previous install by the previous owner's wife's cousin who was going to be an electrician but isn't, at least 1 small child in a walker thing with a dog nipping at him while Mom yaps to her Mom on the phone or is engrossed making a fortune on eBay, carrying a ladder/tools/ballast/lamp etc upf 3 flights of stairs, and the closet is still full of boxes because they just bought the place...

...and this is how we arrive at a T&M job with NO NUMBER...and let's not forget the mandatory parking ticket.

:D

[c10charles]

I would never get this work. Our overhead and labor are too high. Our area is flooded with "home handy men", that are unlicensed (no contractors license/no business lic./no insurance, etc.) If the work is less than $500, parts and labor, you do not need a contractors lic. in CA.; they would do this for $50.00 plus parts. Silicon Valley to San Francisco.

[satcom]

If the work is less than $500, parts and labor, you do not need a contractors lic. in CA.


So if i understand this right, if the job is under $500, there is no need to be qualified, and if the work is over $500 you need to be qualified?

So in Ca, i am allowed to put the public in danger, with unqualified workers, unless the consumer pays $500 or more.

How can anyone, enact a law like that, and call it, consumer protection?

The contractors, and the public, might want to ask their Attorney General, to review this law.

[frank_n]

Most of my work is within 10 minutes of my home. I'd charge

Labor: ($75/hr X 1.5hr) = $97.50
Materials $25

Invioce = $112.50

Most of the time would be spent driving and setting up. It shouldn't take long at all. I'd probably spend more time talking to the customer and giving business cards than changing the ballast. I am considering charging 2 hrs for a service call if I don't have the materials on my truck. If I do have the materials, I'll give a 1/2 hour discount.

Frank
(central NJ)

[celtic]

sat...
The same thing would happen here (NJ). Generally, replacing duplex outlets and fixtures does not require an inspection (replace/change a GFCI, yes). Joe Homeowner is not going pay either of us $225 to change a 2-lamp ballast when Joe Handyman will do it for parts plus $50...and it happens!

This is why I would just T&M the "estimate" (cost not to exceed $xxx.xx). It's just not gonna happen for a real EC.

[77401]

Celtic or C10
Are y'all sending out crews or do you man the trucks your self?
I'm a one man shop & always have this type of stuff on my truck.

[speedystevie]

2hr min @ $75hr = $150
$55 for the lens my guy broke,
$3000 for when we had the wrong ballast and had to go back to the supply house and rear ended the old guy in the caddy.
$3,800 The mark up on our workmans comp policy since the same guy just fell from the ladder.
$25 parts.

Total=$5,730
Thats why we don't do small jobs anymore.

[celtic]

Celtic....
Are y'all sending out crews or do you man the trucks your self?


Both..depends on the mood the fish are in :)

[c10charles]

"So in Ca, i am allowed to put the public in danger, with unqualified workers, unless the consumer pays $500 or more."

You cannot believe the work that is being done by "handymen," and do they ever put the public in danger, you should see some of the work I get to fix. If they get a city business lic. ($150) in Silicon Valley, about the same in most CA cities, they are legal to do almost anything (can't do alarm systems) as long as the owner gets the permits (it never happens) and the total cost of the job is not over $500.00. However, once you have a contractors lic. you can work anywhere in the state without further testing. Cities and counties cannot regulate contractors but they verifiy your lic. when you get the permit. This part of the law makes it easier for contractors.

[c10charles]

77401
I take the small jobs alone. I only use electricians (licensed!) if it is going to be more than one days work. I have to pay 8 hrs. I don't worry about having every major part. (Just every small part.) I have 4 electrical dists. in my area not counting Graybar, and 6 home depots (sorry) within 25 mins. so I don't need a big inventory on the truck. The real profit killer is not having some of the inexpensive parts that take a 45 minute drive to purchase.

[peter d]

or you are just an unemployed union apprentice, waiting your turn on the books.

Yup, that's me. :wink:

[marinesgt0411]

10 minute drive from shop so it is across street from shop 2 minute walking distance
park truck at shop
walk to jobsite with ladder and tools Kliens wirestripper ten-in one multimeter
30 minutes to an hour to find someone who knows where light fixture that is not working is located and another 30 minutes to find someone who has key to closet that light fixture is in
10 to 15 minutes to remove ballast
tell people that you are going to supply house for ballast and what time you will be back
take ladder and tools and ballast back to truck
spend 1 or 2 hours driving to supply house 10 miles down the road
spend 1 hour at supply house getting ballast
spend another 1 or 2 hours driving back to job arrivring when you said you would be back in fact you are half hour early
carry ladder tools and new ballast back to closet find closet locked
spend an hour to find someone who has key to closet
10 to 15 minutes to install new ballast
30 minutes clean area fill out paperwork find someone authorized to sign for work done
$150 per hour 2 hour minimum =$300
$50 for ballast ( price of ballast plus 40 percent)
total bill $350
go back to shop for next assignment
argue with boss about why 2 hour job took so long
get jobs for next day and go home

[JROD]

Most entertaining thread. :D


I would charge $85.

Labor: $60
Materials: $25

[tshea]

The responses are interesting. This is the type of work (service work) we specialize in. It is our niche.
The humorous stories are all very true in some cases.

What's great is when you do a job like this, it takes 35 min, you bill minimum 1 hr plus material and get paid quickly!

When something goes haywire--strange ballast--broke lens, crashed truck, etc, you have to be versatile enough to regroup and make a few more bucks elsewhere.

[77401]

definitely some funny electricians.
Problem is so much of the humor is actually true.
I remember the time a customer sent me out of my usual are to a rent house for a service call.
Not knowing the area, I plow thru a school zone while my nose is in the map looking for the street & I get a ticket in this small town. Not thinking this small town would do too much I decide to wait to pay till I get a letter of default.
Well the day after the due date I get a knock at my door & 2 plain clothes cops pick me up.
Take a guess what this small job cost me???

[storeytime]

We do all these type jobs at T&M. 70/hour for journeyman and apprentice. Ballast and lamps would be about 35.00. We're in a small town (5000 population) central Texas, competing against jak legs that charge 45.00/hr whether it's one man (owner) or two (his son or cousin).
We get customers that really care about the job being done right, but there's still plenty of them that don't that just get the cheapest guy to do it.

[GUNNING]

T&M
$ 75/MAN HOUR
$ 23 FOR THE BALLAST
$ 15 FOR THE TRIP
$112 grand total

I love these calls.

I can do it in 20 minutes and on to the next!