Fixed price breakdown diagnostic?

[Millsy 82]

Anybody do fixed price breakdown diagnostic?

All I get is every time if get a phone call is how much will it be? So I say I charge £40 for the first hour £30 after that, I then get how long will it take you?

Then I go through saying well 9/10 times I know what is wrong within the first hour then I will give you a price to repair it then it is up to you.

Not meaning to blow my own trumpet but I'm fairly confident in my breakdowns and it is not very often that I'm in a property over 45 minutes let alone an hour so was thinking of doing a fixed price just to diagnose the problem, I know I will have a few that will catch me out but I can't see it being too many, I think since I have set up for myself I've had 1 take me 1 1/4 hours.

What do you reckon? Good idea or pita?

 

[hammers4spanner]

i would only do that excluding certain parts im not brilliant on breakdowns tho

 

[Millsy 82]

i would only do that excluding certain parts im not brilliant on breakdowns tho

All I'm on about is the diagnosing side not including parts.

My though is charge x amount to go and diagnose the problem then when I know what it is then give them a price to repair it.

It's not a lot different to what I do now as I am usually done in an hour but I think it may appeal to customers worried about someone spending hours to find out what's wrong with it and then get hit with a massive bill.

 

[hammers4spanner]

ah right then yes charge a set rate for diagnostic with payment ypfront and charge more if they want you that hour

 

[clarky101]

When you've diagnosed the problem, do you tell the customer what the fault is & I can fix it for x amount or do you just say I can fix it but don't mention what the fault is...what happens if the customer asks what the fault is & then says thanks I'll get someone cheaper in???

 

[Millsy 82]

When you've diagnosed the problem, do you tell the customer what the fault is & I can fix it for x amount or do you just say I can fix it but don't mention what the fault is...what happens if the customer asks what the fault is & then says thanks I'll get someone cheaper in???

Not had that once, even when working for companies. Or if it has happened it hasn't happened a lot. But if they did I would give them the bill for the first hour but soon I'm going to look at card readers so when I'm there I can take first payment then if they do that's fine.

What I do is find the problem tell them what it is, go out and get price together come back and say I can be back the price is this and I can come back on such a date to replace at the moment everybody just says yes that's fine (maybe I'm too bloody cheap! Lol)

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

depends what it is and how long it takes.

 

[Nostrum]

Hi Millsy,

I tried the fixed price repair route, £80.00 excluding parts. Didn't have much success with it to be honest as most thought you were trying to be quids in on it. Went back to hourly as I think people are more confident with that way believe it or not.

We call our first hour the diagnosis fee on breakdowns. Not had anyone walk off after diagnosis, most just want it sorted out. I suppose they could if they wanted to though.

 

[clarky101]

Happened to me last year, fan was shot, gave them a price and they said thanks we'll get some prices...paid the hour...wondered if that had happened to anyone else...

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Happened to me last year, fan was shot, gave them a price and they said thanks we'll get some prices...paid the hour...wondered if that had happened to anyone else...

Probably went online and ordered the part then fixed it themselves!!

 

[Leo21]

I tell them the first your rate is diagnosis charge, if it takes longer than an hour to diagnose (quite rare). I ask them if they want me to carry on at my hourly rate.
Im ok on breakdowns, as long as its a familiar boiler. If im not familiar with the boiler I turn the work down.

 

[Roger Welton]

Happened to me last year, fan was shot, gave them a price and they said thanks we'll get some prices...paid the hour...wondered if that had happened to anyone else...

"Could be the fan or PCB, I'll bring both along" sorts chancers out.

 

[Nostrum]

"Could be the fan or PCB, I'll bring both along" sorts chancers out.

Then replace the o ring on the next visit?