boiler pricing

[gaspastemania]

Think in right area to talk about rates,
I dont do many boiler repairs as alot of it goes over my head but looking for ball park figures at replacing parts like ,expansion vessel,prv,pump air vent those types of parts . If you have to wait on parts as not in stock do you charge a diagnostic on first visit then a fit charge on second??
Not sure if i am to cheap on doinf g the basics so a general guide would be appreciated.

 

[diamondgas]

This is an open forum for public as well as GSR gaspastemania ... maybe worth asking mods to move to GSR only forum IMHO

When it comes to pricing I have my own comfortable rate that I think is reasonable. Many in the same trade think I'm to cheap Some customers think its to much!! Go figure...lol I make enough knowing i am not fleecing the customer, and can sleep at night quite comfortably...

 

[gaspastemania]

Could have swore i wrote this for the plumbers arms ???

 

[diamondgas]

Central heating forum here gaspastemania

 

[dontknowitall]

I think it depends on the customer. I charge when finished. Part plus percentage/petrol money, plus one call out and time per hour after that.

If you think they're going to get a second quote (not asking you to order part) then call out for the first visit.

If you're unsure about quick payment at the end of the job, then call out plus materials cost before you order part then fitting charge next time.

 

[Puddle]

Moved to the arms resents2:

 

[GQuigley67]

can gas paste get into the arms ?

 

[gaspastemania]

Yep certainly am i'd be the one hitting the top shelf :17:

 

[SimonG]

Aye, although he's not red, he's in!

 

[SimonG]

....and he can type quicker than me. lol

 

[kirkgas]

can gas paste get into the arms ?

aye he has his CCN1 but not his CKR1 (sorry gaspaste!!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[GQuigley67]

just wondering as he isnt red, but you dont need to be gas safe to get into the arms

 

[gaspastemania]

aye he has his CCN1 but not his CKR1 (sorry gaspaste!!!!!!!!!!!)

I have actually got ckr1 on my bpec cert but gas safe say no ,,,,work that one out then lol

 

[SimonG]

In answer to the original question and bear with me as it's oil related but same on anything else. I have a flat charge for turning up and first hour, then add my hourly rate on top of that after the first hour. As 80% of my oil breakdowns come via another company, a mate of mine, I have a laminated sheet in the van for what to charge with regards parts. It's cost + 20 to 40%. So I go do the job work out the labour, check the sheet for parts and add on anything else. My turning up rate is variable on a radius from home. Oh and my clock starts when I leave home for the first job and then restarts as I leave first job to get to the second.
I use exactly the same system for plumbing repairs as well.

 

[gaspastemania]

What about the possibilty of a miss diagnose? presume this happens doing this type of work , seem to be slowly getting more inquiries about boiler breakdowns but cautious about what the fault is as not into idea of getting stung on parts or diddling myself out on labour.

 

[CES]

Just swot up on using your multimeter, get to know the operation of the boiler you are working on and come on here and ask if you're not sure. Some breakdowns are a pain in the erse and everyone gets stuck once in a while.

 

[mfgs]

I always work on an hourly rate, the first hour being more expensive than the rest. I am quite new to fault finding etc aswell so if I misdiagnose a fault, I normally just take the hit of the time spent etc and treat it as an expensive lesson.

 

[kirkgas]

I always work on an hourly rate, the first hour being more expensive than the rest. I am quite new to fault finding etc aswell so if I misdiagnose a fault, I normally just take the hit of the time spent etc and treat it as an expensive lesson.

yes this can cost you in time, but it gives you experience and also the customer respects the fact you are open with them, if its a PITA and you are struggling to diagnose/fix and tell them "this is one of those jobs and it could be a tricky one for me but i will charge you a max of 2hrs labour" they are happy (obviously) and will use you again, every day is a school day and i try to be straight with everyone, so if im struggling to know whats wrong i cant expect the customer to pick a 5hr bill, and the theory is when i come across the same fault again i will "appear" to be an expert

 

[mfgs]

Exactly kirkgas. I am well aware on some jobs I really should have solved it quicker etc but I am still learning and have never had anyone who has taught me any fault finding it is all what I have picked up and learnt myself. If I think it would be an unfair price for the amount of time I was there I just knock some money off and go away having learnt alot, hopefully haha.

 

[mike_s]

Exactly, I don't just charge a flat hourly rate with no compromise as if I mess up/take too long/mis-diagnose, I cant charge over the odds for my mistakes so after looking at how long I was there, I consider if it should have took me quicker and if that's the case I will charge based on how long it should have took. Obviously I try to allow for this in the first place when giving a fixed quote, always add on as 90% of jobs take longer than you think.