Charging the customer

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Still trying to set up my business model.  I was wondering if you guys charge for mileage?  How much?  Do you have a "Consumables" fee?  I was thinking of a percentage of the job to cover cutting wheels, wire brushes, grinding discs, rods, oxy/ace.I realize this is an open forum and that the world can see this, so if you would feel more comfortable, send me a PM.
Reply:I roll all the consumables for small repair work(<8 hours) into my hourly fee.  For new fabrication, I'll quote the cost of raw materials and significant consumables(rod, gas, special tools) as a part of the job.You need to track your expenses with a passion, at least for a while at the beginning, and any time there's a major change in the # of hours you're working or any major equipment purchase. Get receipts, and learn to use a computer to keep track of where your money is going.  Scratch that, you need to track your expenses like a bloodhound after a runaway convict; all the time.  It's the only way to figure out what your overhead is, so you can set your hourly rate correctly.  You need this whether your working by the hour, bidding jobs, or working for time & material.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I generally do not charge extra for consumables unless it is a job requiring a large use of something.  For just average work I have it figured into my hourly rate.  As far as mileage goes, YES, you have to charge mileage.  It's the only way to pay for up keep, fuel and wear and tear on your vehicle.  your truck is a tool just like a welder, and it will wear out and eventually need to be replaced.  It cost you to operate it so it has to be charged to the customer.  I generally charge $1 a mile plus hour rate starts when I leave the shop until I leave the job site.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:When I ran a tire service truck years ago, we had a flat service fee of $75.00 that would be waived if the customer bought a new tire (not a recapped semi tire though).  Mileage was invoiced at $0.75 a mile round trip.  This was in 1983-1984.If it was a repair job, even if the tractor tire or pivot tire required a new tube, the farmer got charged the $75.00 and $0.75 a mile.  They complained about it, but the next closest service truck was over an hour away (over 60 miles).  I always took a new tire with me, sold it because the bars were tearing off, or sidewall damage.  After I waived the service charge fee, they thought they were getting a bargain for that $275.00 tire.  We also didn't charge full price on the tires.  Most we got with a discount & sold them with a discount from list price.List price for a tractor tire could sometimes exceed $500.00 a tire, but if they paid $290 we made money, they got it for a fair price & didn't have to pay or bring the tractor to town.  Win-win all the way around.Charge either a flat rate plus mileage, or just mileage.  Just make sure you charge for it.  The customer will complain, but don't sell yourself short.  It's your ball, if they don't like the rules, you take the ball home with you.  End of game.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I just got a job to build a deck for a guy.  I charged him for Material, hours and  for consumables.  He asked why the consumable fee, and I told him it was due to the deck being made out of Alum.  I had to get Alum wire and gas.  He said OK.
Reply:Well, if I take my truck to get painted, the body shop would charge me for prep, labor, paint, and materials.  If the A/C guy comes to work on your unit, he would charge for freon. Right?  So I guess it wouldn't be any different.
Reply:if its local i charge an extra $25.00for the first hour so if you get $50.00 hrthe first hr would be $75,00 then50 hr after that but nothing is set in stone are you helping a local landscaperor doing a big jobLast edited by ed mac; 06-20-2009 at 09:25 PM.
Reply:I add on 10% to the sub total (labor+parts)  for cunsumables I have on hand (wire, gas, grinding stones, flap wheels, WD-40, grease, a few nuts and bolts).  If I have to buy anything specific for a job then it gets added to the bill or if I use huge amounts of consumables.  As an example, if I weld a small alum project with my spoolgun then the wire and gas are included in the consumable charge.  If I am replacing the floor in a 53' double deck trailer like I did a few years ago, then the wire and gas get added to the bill.  Same goes for everything else.  A grinding stone here or there ain't bad, but if I go through a dozen of them on one job, they get added to the bill.  I don't keep track very well anymore, but I watched it like a hawk for awhile and it seemed to even out over the course of several jobs.  I have been considering upping my consumable charge to 15% or 20% though just because my labor is so cheap and I never figured in electricity cuz I work at home and the bill is low and doesn't really change.  I do a lot of work for myself so I expect to pay my share of the electricity and consumables.  Maybe I'm just too honest?  I just don't see sticking a customer for the items I use for myself.
Reply:I usually don't charge for millage till we get out past 30 miles. I have all that figured out in the hour rate. A lot of times a job don't take an hour, but they pay for the first hour to get there no matter how long it takes. If someone calls me and it takes me 15 mins, i will charge them a mim of an hour.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesI usually don't charge for millage till we get out past 30 miles. I have all that figured out in the hour rate. A lot of times a job don't take an hour, but they pay for the first hour to get there no matter how long it takes. If someone calls me and it takes me 15 mins, i will charge them a mim of an hour.
Reply:Originally Posted by JC'sWeldingDo you continue with that?  Like if it takes 1 1/2 hours, do you charge for 2?  Billing in hour increments?
Reply:How many different jobs do you guys usual go to a day. Or are most of your jobs a full days work.  I know some jobs will be a few days or weeks like JC's horse fence(I think that was you).  But normally how many jobs and what do they usually consist of?  Dont mean to jack the thread.  Though it might fit in.
Reply:It depends on the customer. You will have to use your gut for answer. most of the time after the first hour i will bill 1/2 increments .Aaron
Reply:Originally Posted by 99trxriderHow many different jobs do you guys usual go to a day. Or are most of your jobs a full days work.  I know some jobs will be a few days or weeks like JC's horse fence(I think that was you).  But normally how many jobs and what do they usually consist of?  Dont mean to jack the thread.  Though it might fit in.
Reply:I think the most I have done in a day is 11 different jobs.  I have worked jobs that lasted for several months, but during the summers when the days get longer and work gets busy I have days where I will run 30 minute to an hour service calls all day long until sun down.  in my line of work which is mainly repair work.  You never know from day to day what it will look like.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingI think the most I have done in a day is 11 different jobs.  I have worked jobs that lasted for several months, but during the summers when the days get longer and work gets busy I have days where I will run 30 minute to an hour service calls all day long until sun down.  in my line of work which is mainly repair work.  You never know from day to day what it will look like.
Reply:We do most any repair or general fab work.  Some structural and pipe.  I also have machining capabilities, and do some machine work.  My main bread and butter is in Ag and Timber equipment repair.  I would say that 80% of my work is repairs in one of those two fields.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:How far do you usually have to travel?  Is most of it pretty close or is alot of it quite aways away?
Reply:Just as a side note, our Fortune 500 bean counters give us $0.55/mile for travel, so I'd go with that as a minimum.
Reply:Originally Posted by 99trxriderHow far do you usually have to travel?  Is most of it pretty close or is alot of it quite aways away?
Reply:There is one shop in my area..he doesnt do much..local farmers wont go to him b/c he sticks them so bad.  But mobile welders..there isnt any I really know of in my area.
Reply:I run several rigs and will work in three to four states all at once. I have a very big cell phone bill every month.
Reply:I normally have the consumables and gasses included in the hourly charge. If it is a job that I bid a price on, I add them in. When I am called out or at the shop doing mechanical repairs, and a small something needs welding, I dont charge for consumables, but I keep charging the higher rate I get for mechanic work..............................."Look Good Doing It"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!