after hour rate

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If someone has a true 1:30 am emergency, I would probably go easier on them than the one that insists you come out for a job that could wait. The best thing to do is let them know ahead of time that you are coming out at emergency rates. If they say, "I don't care, we need some one now," they'll pay. If they say, "Well, what are your rates?," it'll probably wait. :rolleyes: I got a call after hours the other day from an elderly customer who has had one of our generators for a few years because she saw some wires sticking up near hear propane tank and is scared of a fire. I assured her someone would be there that evening. I was tied up another job so I called my boss. He called me about 30 minutes later. The problem...2 pine needles.
 
My regular rate applies, but I make sure they really need me before I head out. Having your overhead service ripped off your house by a tree or wind storm is one thing. One dead receptacle in the whole house isn't an emergency. I find it amazing how many people think their microwave has to be working at 2:00AM.
 
For existing clients and folks that I did the original install, its time and a half, invoiced net 30.

For everyone else, its double time and they have to pay at time of service.

My service manager has the authority to refuse service to anyone he wants, the decision is up to him; he and his crew wears the phone 24/7, it?s up to them if they take the call. Its hard enough finding good service men, and take care of the ones I?ve got.

This type of service is not my bread and butter and I could not care less if we did it at all, but I do like to take care of my clients we did the original install on; you don?t want some yahoo in there telling your client everything they think you did wrong.
 
Materials = Regular Price
Labor = 1.5 X Regular Price

Some people work nights.
1:30 am is the middle of the day for them.
If the price is the same they won't have a problem calling you at that time for any little problem they may have.
A lot of my customer's want me to work after 5:00 pm or on saturdays so they don't have to take off from work.
If they had their way all my work would be done nights and weekends.

Maybe I could call my company "After Hours Electric" and have my normal operating hours nights and weekends and charge more for service during the day. :)
 
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Time and a half after hours, double time on Sundays or holidays. Clock starts ticking when the key turns in the truck on an after hours call.

Some things that people think are emergencies aren't really. With a bit of phone assistance, you can often get them in a situation where they can wait until morning or Monday if it's over a weekend. It's a qulaity of life issue for me. :grin:
 
After hour emergency calls are double time minimum 4 hours, portal to portal. My employees and myself work way too many hours not to get extra for our services after hours.
 
I always make clear on the phone what the after hours rate is, and how it works. It's amazing how many emergencies can wait until morning when you lay it all out.
 
GUNNING said:
Same as regular rate. I figure if they are calling at 1:30 am, they must really need an electrician.
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aline said:
A lot of my customer's want me to work after 5:00 pm or on saturdays so they don't have to take off from work.
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So then they make their regular salary AND spend time with their family( or goofing off on the internet)?

How are you compensated for missing the family time?
The comfort in knowing you have satisfied a customer??
:confused:

7 - 4 ST
4 - 11 Time and a half
11 - 7 Double Time

Saturday... time and a half until 4, then double time
Sunday ...double time
Holidays...triple time and maybe MORE


I put high value of my family time and those that work for me (and are wiling to come in) should also be compensated.
 
ITO said:
This type of service is not my bread and butter and I could not care less if we did it at all, but I do like to take care of my clients we did the original install on; you don’t want some yahoo in there telling your client everything they think you did wrong.
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Throughout my electrician career almost anytime an electrician sees the previous electrician's work he can pick it apart. Hell, I can do it too.

I go the honest route but you certainly don't need some other electrician who has different ideas telling the homeowner that your ideas are wrong.
 
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aline said:
Maybe I could call my company "After Hours Electric" and have my normal operating hours nights and weekends and charge more for service during the day. :)
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That is one great idea. Just need the right clientele and advertising and you might just make it work. I know you are joking and aren't planning on doing it, but there is probably somebody out there that could do this.
 
I stopped advertising "24 hour service" years ago. I used to get calls from tenants who could not reach their landlords, and wanted me to "bill the landlord" for the repair. Of course, the landlord would not approve such invoices for payment. And the tenant was not willing to pay at time of service, so I got woke up for nothing..:mad:

Most of those calls were not emergency in nature, but stupid stuff, like tripped GFI's or breakers, or appliances that were on the fritz.

A few times we did get legitimate calls from storm damage, or burned out mains in poultry houses. Those were usually billed out at double time rates.

Our regular customers can still call in at 2 AM, but know that we don't come out for cheap at those hours.... :cool:
 
jaylectricity said:
That is one great idea. Just need the right clientele and advertising and you might just make it work. I know you are joking and aren't planning on doing it, but there is probably somebody out there that could do this.
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He better take a lot of family pictures before he starts!

But it would be a great idea, for someone that wants no part of family life.
 
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