Kite&KeyElectric

Just went on a service call, and it turned out to be a bad 100 amp main Seimens breaker. I used my only one already and didn't restock! Damn 30 min service call turned into 2 hours. I could shoot myself!

tufts46argled

So how did you charge it?

MDShunk

YouTube Video

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One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

HARRY304E

You did charge for 2 hours right!.

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ES2 Flat Rate , The best $99 I've ever spent ..

flyboy

So tell us how you are going to avoid this going forward.

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"It is as impossible to withhold education from the receptive mind, as it is impossible to force it upon the unreasoning." Agnes Repplier, American essayist

Kite&KeyElectric

No! I should have the breaker stocked.

Kite&KeyElectric

I charged $249.00 as if I had the breaker already.

running dummy

I would charge for the 2 hours.

You troubleshot the breaker didn't you?

Kite&KeyElectric

Write it down on the clipboard that's sitting in the back of my truck and make more money so I can stock more than one or two of things.

electrictim510

Charge as if you have to go get it even if you have it. What if while being in stock it gets damaged? Trust me, it happens. Who pays for that if you are not charging for it being in your truck? 100 amp siemens/ Murray breaker I charge a minimum of $450. I don't know if rates out here are that much more than where you are but I have never been turned away.

Certain jobs should just come with a minimum charge, like main breakers and such. And it was a main, which means you either had to pull the meter or work it hot. Does your local poco /inspectors require a permit for mains typically? Out here they do. of course that would double the call to $900 if I pull it.

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"Understand one thing every one has a place in this trade, and no matter what your skill set I doubt you know it all." brian john

SHADOW

You just can't have everything in your truck,the way I see it,it is like a ambulance,have a little bit of everything to patch thing up,but have to go to the hospital(main store) for the big operation.

bobelectric

I changed a QO 100 main in a genny room feeding lights,heat and receptacles.Sits there all year then fails. Any ideas?

Kite&KeyElectric

Hmm, I'm gonna have to get more feedback on charging as if I had to go to the supply house. My hourly rate already figures in time for going to the supply house to stock up.

Breaker was arcing across the bulbar, I could see it and hear it. Busbar was all pitted.

dronai

Flat rate I think you will just have to eat the time if you are out of stock.

flyboy

That should already be calculated into your hourly through the percentage of billable hour. Which I'm assuming you have calculated at no more than 50%.

__________________
"It is as impossible to withhold education from the receptive mind, as it is impossible to force it upon the unreasoning." Agnes Repplier, American essayist

Kite&KeyElectric

That's what I am. It just doesn't seem fair to charge for running to the supply house. I know customers will pay large sums of money to have the whole house breaker replaced.

On a side note, I just thought of something. I didn't charge for the trouble shooting. I should have charged $75 for that. I found it pretty quick. Live and learn.

brian john

$860.00 at the low end.

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Brian John
Leesburg, VA

Kite&KeyElectric

Correct.

What should I do about the forgotten troubleshooting fee.?I already sent the invoice. It's for a property management company that has given me 3 jobs so far and looks like more.

dronai

How much for the CB $60.00 ?

Kite&KeyElectric

Wow, is your hourly rate $900/hr? The breaker only cost $38. Or do you charge according to the level of emergency?