When you charge T&M - a few questions

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bjp_ne_elec

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When you do T&M jobs do you charge for things like sawzall blades, electrical tape, hole saw (say you're drilling a bunch of recessed lights)? Also, if you do charge, how do you particularly show it on an invoice? I'm doing my first T&M job, so that's why I'm asking. Be interested to see if people have things like this costed in to their rate.

Thanks

Brett
 
On a small job, you could charge a "rental fee"...just list it under tools and equipment in the invoice. Get a copy of the rental rates from a local rental center ~ HD rents tools, they may have a sheet for you to take.

On a large job, charge for the tools, again listing it under tools and equipment.
 
Brett, we charge for every nut, bolt, screw, piece of tape, etc. We do not charge for sawzall blades, hole cutters, hacksaw blades and other tools of the trade. In this area the general public frowns on paying a direct cost for our tools. We either bump up the hourly rate or increase the time to cover these additional expenses. Either way I found out that if a person shows professionalism, people do not mind paying for it. If you send out someone who shows that they are a green hand, people either complain about the costs or refuse to pay for a call. Good luck!!
 
We charge hourly and try to catch as much as possible, sometimes charge for parking (we should every time in DC). Charge travel if over 50 miles, rental of any test equipment as this equipment cost anywhere from 500.00-68,000.00 dollars plus yearly calibration fees, rental rates are from one time per job of 50.00 to 500.00. Minimum 3 hours 4 hours on emergencies.

Have seen 600 amp fused safety switch on a job ticket but no fuses, when questioned the electrician admitted he forgot to list the fuses. That can get costly, I know they miss many minor (and sometime major) parts.

I prefer to have most cost built in the hourly, we have been accused of having a high hourly fee, only to be told later the less expensive guy had a truck fee, tool fee, parking fee (even when the customer supplied parking) 15% misc. fee, hourly charge and 10 and 10 on top of everything, his rate was higher then ours and the customer was one upset puppy.
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
When you do T&M jobs do you charge for things like sawzall blades, electrical tape, hole saw (say you're drilling a bunch of recessed lights)? Also, if you do charge, how do you particularly show it on an invoice? I'm doing my first T&M job, so that's why I'm asking. Be interested to see if people have things like this costed in to their rate.

Thanks

Brett
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mechanics have started calling this shop supplies and usually add a charge for it to your bill.
 
I have everything but materials actually used in the hourly charge. Items such as tape, screws, etc. included as "misc. supplies" on invoice.
 
We build in the cost of small disposable tools, tape, blades etc into the hourly rate. Screws, wirenuts,straps etc are built into the price of the primary part ie, an outlet box is priced to include wire connectors, conduit is priced to include straps & fasteners. This makes pricing and estimating a breeze esp on smaller jobs.
 
We have a "misc parts" item that is listed for anywhere from a couple of bucks to over a hundred, depending on the job. Covers things like sawzall blades, screws, nuts, washers, staples, wirenuts, glue, etc.
 
I have always figured small items into my mark up for the larger materials, also I have a hard time really knowing how much wire I used on a job I guess high (I hope) If I have to bring out my scaffolding I charge rental at the rate a rental shop charges. Tools have wear and tear too, so I figure that into my mark up as well. I always keep track of tool purchases in 3 catagories, 1. new tools that I am acquiring for the first time. 2 replacement tools for broken lost stolen tools. and 3 wearable tool items, like bits blades ect. at the end of the year I can see what my cost for these things are.
 
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