five minute service call for $XXX

[growler]

OK, why did the breaker trip? Was the circuit overloaded?

Good question, but 99.99% of time you will never have enough information to re-enact exactly what happened, and client will not know what kind of things they should be trying to recall in the first place.

I don't know, I often find causes for breakers tripping. I would have at least removed the panel cover and checked for a loose connection at the breaker. Very common cause of breaker tripping other than overload.

 

[drcampbell]

If we were attorneys, there would have been charges for the phone conversation as well ...

Attorneys, same as everybody else, wrestle with what to bill and what not to. Many have a "first hour free" policy.

... I often find causes for breakers tripping. I would have at least removed the panel cover and checked for a loose connection at the breaker. Very common cause of breaker tripping ....

And while you're in there, tighten up every connection.
Some decades back, the Bell System did a large-scale survey of commercial power quality problems. Something like 75% of them were traced to loose connections. When they published the report, they put a photograph of a screwdriver at the head of the chapter about power-quality remedies.

 

[brantmacga]

Attorneys, same as everybody else, wrestle with what to bill and what not to. Many have a "first hour free" policy.

I’m sending a screenshot of this to my attorney. He’s apparently unaware of that policy. ?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oldsparky52]

I’m sending a screenshot of this to my attorney. He’s apparently unaware of that policy. ������



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's only for new clients.

After reading this thread, I'm glad I'm retired.

 

[Coppersmith]

If we were attorneys, there would have been charges for the phone conversation as well:happyyes:

I actually do charge for phone conversations for some clients. When I first started subbing for solar contractors they had me doing a lot of things that I wasn't charging them for. Come over and look at this job, come to this meeting we are having, long phone calls to discuss projects, drive over to the office or the permit office to sign a permit application, drive two hours to do a one hour job, etc.

After a while I got smart and put a contract in place that enumerated all these items and the charges for each. For phone calls, I start charging my hourly rate after five minutes. First five minutes are no charge. If they want me to sign a permit and not charge them for my time, they drive it over to my shop before I leave for the day and I'll sign it. If they can wait a few days, they email it and I mail the signed copy back to them.

 

[kwired]

I actually do charge for phone conversations for some clients. When I first started subbing for solar contractors they had me doing a lot of things that I wasn't charging them for. Come over and look at this job, come to this meeting we are having, long phone calls to discuss projects, drive over to the office or the permit office to sign a permit application, drive two hours to do a one hour job, etc.

After a while I got smart and put a contract in place that enumerated all these items and the charges for each. For phone calls, I start charging my hourly rate after five minutes. First five minutes are no charge. If they want me to sign a permit and not charge them for my time, they drive it over to my shop before I leave for the day and I'll sign it. If they can wait a few days, they email it and I mail the signed copy back to them.

I may track phone calls, driving to and scoping out projects, time spent creating estimate or plans, etc. and throw some extra labor to cover all those things when estimating/bidding, but won't collect any of it if not awarded the project.

 

[kwired]

Attorneys, same as everybody else, wrestle with what to bill and what not to. Many have a "first hour free" policy.

I don't think many of them wrestle with that decision very much at all. They may initially consult with you enough to give you an idea what you may be up against if you proceed with whatever it is you came to them with and not charge you if you walk away not wanting to proceed. If you do proceed they likely bill you for that time.

I have been a creditor listed in a bankruptcy case a couple times. Being a creditor the court does mail you copies of all case activities.

Both times the attorneys had included in their fees a charge for every phone call and a fee for pretty much any document produced, copied or whatever, as well as postage expenses, etc.

Maybe we should all itemize phone calls and postage on our invoices and see how well that goes over with customers

Lump a little extra into labor or other misc fees for such things and they usually don't say anything.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I know I already have told this story so I'll tell the cliff note version. Three phone calls to me about the same thing and me telling him that there's a GFCI somewhere, he get's mad and asks why I won't just come over? I tell him that if I drive over there and push that little red button it's going to cost him $60 (this was 30 years ago). Fourth phone call to me, Found it. Thought you might.

Now on the other hand I've reset many a breaker or GFCI for nothing and made lots of money later from those same people.

 

[Fulthrotl]

I’m sending a screenshot of this to my attorney. He’s apparently unaware of that policy. ������

honey, the first hour was a long time ago.

it's not a free first hour *each time*

send him this screen shot.

 

[brantmacga]

five minute service call for $XXX

honey, the first hour was a long time ago.

it's not a free first hour *each time*

send him this screen shot.

???

I never got my free hour though. The first time I ever sat in front of him it was $200 for an hour to talk. But hey, he knew everything about something I knew nothing about, so I ain’t complaining.

That divorce was worth every dollar though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[__dan]

If you specialize in residential service calls, resetting GFIs and breakers are bread and butter calls.

Most of the time the customer simply cannot find it. Other times it helps to have a very experienced person briefly survey what may have caused the trip. Survey would include considering the age and condition of the service, meter box and panel, maybe popping the panel cover if it's old or suspect equipment.

I wanted construction and unusually complex, and not resi service which I grew up doing. I've reset tons of breakers and found hidden switches, never charging. Just too busy.

It was a mistake, but I did not have time for it and did not target it. Charging and getting paid is the only way for the customer to treat you like a professional and not like some amateur.

New neighbor wants to know why his new electric bill (for the old old lady's house) is $250 monthly. I told him immediately most likely the meter is accurate and he has some defective load or appliance that runs all the time. Could be bad connections in the service also. We got to price and I said I could take a look at it for $150. His face changed like I asked to take his daughter home.

I did give him enough info to point him in the right direction, but I did not like being treated like some scalawag as payment for my effort.

Getting paid, even $20, is the only way the customer can say Thank You and You are a Professional.


Except for these guys, clearly they want unlicensed eastern european "mechanics" to do their wiring. In my mail today.

*********************

We are hiring journeyman electricians for a long term industrial project installing conveyor systems. Our client specializes in installing material handling systems for major logistics, distribution and e commerce companies nationwide.

Job Requirements

1. Bend and install conduit.
2. Install motors and electrical components.
3. Assist other employees as needed.


Job Requirements

Qualifications

1. Electricians must have at least 4 years of commercial and/or industrial electrical experience.
2. Candidates must be able to work 55-70 hours and 6 days/week.

Great opportunity to work close to home.

Pay: $23.00 and $420.00/week

Locations:
Macon, GA 31204
Carlisle, PA 17013
Fredericksburg, PA 17026
Please contact our office at 888 929 0213



Thank you,
Aaron Taylor
| Sales Consultant | ataylor@leadstaff.com 12631 E. Imperial Hwy. Suite A-205 |Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Office 562.929.0210 Fax 562.929.0215 | www.leadstaff.com

 

[JFletcher]

I have been extremely tempted to set up a 900 or charge per minute for phone calls troubleshooting. We routinely do it here for free to help other electricians out. However that is in our spare time we do not have to leave home, and there are times when I need help as much as I may help out somebody else

For customers, charging 2 to $3 a minute. May save them $100 on a service call if it's something like a blown bulb, or a trip breaker or GFCI receptacle.

That or a flat rate, like $25 for up to 15 minutes phone time, which would be refunded if they have you come out and make a visit and fix the problem in person.

I see that as a win-win situation.

Eta: dan, you may want to post that in the help wanted section, although I do not understand the math of 23 an hour and 420 a week with expected hours of 55 to 70

.

 

[Coppersmith]

I have been extremely tempted to set up a 900 or charge per minute for phone calls troubleshooting.

"Brrrrrriiinnggg!"

"Friendly Neighborhood Electrician, how may I help you?"

"Oh, you want a free estimate? Sure, I'd love to spend 30 minutes discussing your project on the phone and give you a free estimate. Are you a real estate agent? I thought so. Can you call me back on my free estimate line? It's 900-555-6789. We'll go over all the details. Thanks."

 

[__dan]

Eta: dan, you may want to post that in the help wanted section, although I do not understand the math of 23 an hour and 420 a week with expected hours of 55 to 70

.

Right. Call them and tell them you want $420 a day ($40 / hr, 8 hrs, no bennies plus per diem). See where they're at.

 

[GoldDigger]

I’m sending a screenshot of this to my attorney. He’s apparently unaware of that policy. ?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You realize he will charge you for looking at the screenshot?

 

[Coppersmith]

I charge her for a minimum service call (one hour plus travel charge). "That will be $XXX. Sorry" I say.

I'd like to add that the fact that I charged her for the hour shows me that I've overcome my fear of charging people for my services. (Although the "sorry" shows there is still a remnant of fear left.) A couple of years ago, I probably would have said "no charge" to avoid the stress of the client being annoyed with me. An important lesson I learned on this forum (and others) is you can't give away your services and expect to stay in business.

(I love quoting myself. )

 

[kwired]

You realize he will charge you for looking at the screenshot?

Only if he reads what it says and learns from it

His attorney apparently missed class the day they talked about what to bill clients for

They don't teach that class to electricians apparently:huh:

 

[sameguy]

Story is here some where before:
Big customer, I'm sick, one of his rent house calls dryer not working, I ask if needs done today I'm feeling bad, must go. 45min. drive fpe load center, hit breaker with my hand, reset, turn on dryer. On way back pager going off it is the owner of the rent houses(100 of them) dump truck pulled down wires to garage can't get his caddy out to go to Someplace. I turn around go to his house temp some rx in to let him use the door tell him, I'm sick will be back Monday to fix it right, needed extention ladder.
Get to shop Monday morning, find out he called bi tching about 1) service call on dryer 2) leaving his house with wire too low, only had a 6' and 8' ladder on truck for a dryer call.
Boss said no problem on low wire, but service calls we stay 1/2 hr. so next time open panel and tighten every connection.

 

[rllevine]

Of course you should charge for your time - and expertise

Of course you should charge for your time - and expertise

I always inform clients of my hourly rate and one hour minimum charge before I start any work. This is pretty standard practice for any service technician in any industry. She has every right to be annoyed (probably at herself for not finding the tripped breaker), but if you have done your due diligence, you have nothing to feel guilty about.

A past client called me up to say the power was out in four bathrooms all controlled by one GFCI. She said the reset button was hard and could not be pushed in. (She made it sound like the button would not move, i.e. frozen.) I asked her if she had checked for a tripped breaker and she said yes. It stopped working when she ran the vacuum she had plugged into the GFCI. She said the GFCI was bad and needed replacing. Based on our conversation I agreed and made a service call.

I press the reset button and it's not frozen, it just won't lock-on meaning there is no power to device. I go to the garage which is literally 5 paces away and check the breaker panels. (There are two side-by-side. A big one and a much smaller one.) There I see a tripped breaker which I reset and then verify that the GFCI is again functional. "Uh-oh" I think. "This is not good. I've been here two minutes but I have to charge for an hour. She's probably not going to be happy."

I make a show of checking the other bathrooms with a tester and then check the kitchen receptacles. "Unfortunately", everything is wired correctly and working. Now comes the moment I was dreading. "I fixed the problem. It was a tripped breaker." She wants to see where this tripped breaker is located and I show her a spot in the small panel. "I checked the big one" she says. "I didn't know there were circuit breakers in there" pointing at the small one. I just nod my head.

I charge her for a minimum service call (one hour plus travel charge). "That will be $XXX. Sorry" I say. She doesn't say a thing while she writes the check, but I can see she is annoyed. I'm not sure if she is annoyed at me or herself. Guess I'll find out if she ever calls for my services again.

I've been advised in the past to change the breaker or GFCI in these kinds of situations just to make the client feel better. Maybe I should have, but it feels dishonest to me since I would have to charge even more to cover the material. Thoughts?

 

[jmellc]

If it is a past client and it isn't far out of my way I will usually not charge... I know that's stupid but IMO that is good will.

I used to do this too if the customer was close and quick. Sometimes for a regular customer who spent a lot with us. Sometimes for a person living in poverty.

I sometimes do it now but I call the boss and clear it with him first. He & I are usually on the same page with such issues.

OTOH, if I have to go a long way or put off other work, we have to charge something.

Worst complaint I had recently on billing was this. At one house, a helper & I had to troubleshoot about 6 receptacles. A few were simple, 1 burned out & killed next ones, etc. A couple were fed from somewhere totally illogical & we both went to crawlspace to track them out. 1 receptacle was also close to falling out of the wall. We blanked the box off and moved recept over a foot. Customer had been happy when we left house with all fixed. When he got the bill, he called my on my cell, complaining that we should have done the work in a different order, I should have been fixing and had helper in crawl space the whole time, etc. I just told him that every job is different and we have to play them by ear. Told him I didn't enjoy crawling & avoided it whenever possible but sometimes easier when 2 people crawl and sort out wiring. I had not been impressed by him to start with. He was a school assistant principal. It was near Halloween & he came to the door dressed as a pirate. He'd been at school & took a few hours to come home for the service call. My father was a school principal who wouldn't have thought of dressing up for Halloween. None of his teachers would have thought of doing it either. He would have sent them home to change if they had.