What's a fair price for after hours plumber call out?

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015.

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  1. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Hi guys,

    On my latest statements I see a after hours call out fee.
    The claimed date was a Saturday but doesn't say what time.
    I was billed $330 for this.

    The invoice stated:
    Attended site on xx/xx/2015 after hours to investigate the gas hot water unit light going out and unable to be reset by the tenant.

    On inspection, found the hot water pilot light was unable to be successfully reset.
    Waited until the main light subsided and tested the hot water - no further issues were found.

    Is this a fair charge for those with experience?
    The property is in Brisbane.

    Thanks
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
    #1
  2. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    We had a hot water pipe in the bathroom burst on a Sunday night last year.

    Emergency plumber cost us $440 ... this was in Sydney.

    So it sounds reasonable if it was a legitimate callout and not something that was the tenant's fault - and from the description on the invoice, it does sound legitimate.
     
    Simon Hampel, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  3. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    For an emergency job 3-4 hours is the norm. So at $80 an hour thats OK
     
    DaveM, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  4. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Thanks.

    It's good to see other examples out there, I figured it would be there abouts.
    However, what is regarded an emergency and also after hours?
    Is any non-week day considered after hours?

    e.g. if this happened at 10am on a Saturday morning, would it be considered an emergency job that the pilot light has gone out?
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  5. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    Hot water is an essential service under the tenancy act and the tenant can undertake reasonable expenditure to remediate.
     
    DaveM, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  6. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Do you work Saturday at the same rates as Monday to Friday.?
     
    Scott No Mates, 2nd Oct, 2015
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    wylie likes this.
  7. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I do.
    I'm not on an hourly rate though.
    Get paid by the amount of sales I generate.
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  8. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    You have to think like a plumber/sparkie. I would not expect a plumber to come out on a weekend without expecting to pay extra. I'm in retail and I get the same pay Saturday but higher pay Sunday. I still wouldn't ask a plumber to interrupt his weekend without being prepared to pay extra.
     
    wylie, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  9. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Of course weekend rates should be higher, that's not what this thread is about.
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  10. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Understand your first post was not about that, but it kind of morphed into that, don't you think?

    I don't think what you've been charged is OTT though. I wonder if there is anything on the invoice to show how long the job took?
     
    wylie, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  11. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, it was never a protest/complaint about being overcharged, it was to get an indication of current plumbers call out fees.

    It would be good to know how long he was there for though.
    If only there for 10 mins to check on pilot light, I'd feel it was a little steep, but that's what you get investing in resi property.
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  12. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I think you are within your rights to ask the question about how long he was there for. If you have been ripped off, then at least you can tell your PM never to use that plumber again and you can also let the plumber know that you feel he has done the wrong thing and you will not be using him again.
     
    wylie, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  13. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    Some plumbers charge a fixed "callout fee" for after-hours work, just for showing up - regardless of how long they spend fixing the problem.
     
    Simon Hampel, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  14. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Don't they all charge a fixed call out fee, regardless of anything else?
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  15. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Founder Staff Member

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    I mean specifically a "large" callout fee - in my case I'm pretty sure they spent less than an hour attending for the $440 charge, but that also wasn't their hourly rate.

    I can't recall whether it was something like $220 per hour for after-hours work with a minimum charge of 2 hours, or a fixed charge plus hourly rate, or some other model.

    Perhaps you could do a search of plumbers in the area where your IP is and find those who advertise they do after hours emergency work - ask them how they charge and how much?
     
    Simon Hampel, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  16. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    I reckon someone could do really well with a database of plumbers/electricians who have trouble getting regular work, and are willing to do out of hours work on call.
    Could make a pretty good commission that way acting as an agent.
    It's probably already being done.
     
    Ace in the Hole, 2nd Oct, 2015
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    Bran likes this.
  17. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    There is an insurance mob starting up something just like that for plumbing and electrical. Newcastle area I think.
    Like roadside assistance type setup. Yearly fee then x amount of dunny unblocks, hot water repair, basic house call out stuff.

    But I'm sure like any good insurgence company they line their pockets real good with your monthly fee!
     
    bob shovel, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  18. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    This.

    I have a family friend in his 20s who set up some form of platform like this for mining equipment perhaps 1-2 years ago. He is now making millions. Just for co-ordinating access from consumer to provider.
     
    Bran, 2nd Oct, 2015
    #18
  19. S.T

    S.T Well-Known Member

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    Costs me around $170 a year for racv emergency home assist per property.
     
    S.T, 2nd Oct, 2015
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  20. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Self managed? Or is that through pm?
    How often have you used the service?
     
    bob shovel, 2nd Oct, 2015
    #20
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