Night time emergency calls

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Tonight, around 6:00, a local used car lot called me.  They were frantic.  Seems that when they where closing the gates and locking up for the night, one of the gates broke, and fell off the post.  So of course, they were not able to lock up, and had to pay an employee to stay at the lot until I was through.I told them $100/hour for night/emergency.  They said they would gladly pay that.  Hmm, did I say $100, I meant to say $125!  It wasn't too bas.  Had to fab a new 5 part pipe hinge, torch off the busted stuff, grind, weld, primer.  Took 2 1/2 hours.What do you guys charge for Night/Emergency calls?It's not what you can buy, it's what you can build.
Reply:did you seriously get paid $125/hour?sounds like fun.
Reply:I normally get 1.5 times or if it is really bad I will double the hour rate for after hours work.  Just a word of advice.  You better make sure that you have a logic behind what you charge and not just slinging out a high number because it's after hours.  If someone gets the idea that you are taking advantage of them not only will you not get anymore work from them the word of mouth will bite you in the rear end.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I usually charge 1.5 times daily rate for pretty much anything at night.But for regular customers who are in a jam, I  just charge day rate.Joewww.CummingsHauling.com
Reply:Originally Posted by henrymdid you seriously get paid $125/hour?sounds like fun.
Reply:Guys we all hate to pay that off hour charges. So i don't charge for off hour rates. Same price from 2 in the after noon to 2 in the morning. You guys might think that is crazy, but i haven't had no down time at all in 5 years and when i need something done, i have never had to pay out of my *** for it. JC just keep in mind what comes around goes around. Just think about what you might have to pay someone when you are down. From portable welders being down to the trany in your truck going out, to calling up your LWS at 9 at night because you need something before the next morning.
Reply:I miss it, but I am not in the repair business any more. 20 plus years of doing it is enough. I worked it like this though. Emergency, phone book calls, time and a half. Scheduled night work or after hours work, rate plus 15%. Emergency night work for a good paying reg. customer, rate plus 15%. Unless it was a snow storm. We were open 24 hrs during snow fall and closed shop end of business day after snow ended. Thawing pipe was a different animal all together. Hook up rate and hourly after that. We worked around the clock thawing pipes.Lincoln Ranger 8                        Lincoln 175                          Drill pressLincoln 225 mig                            Plasma                              8 ft brake        52" jump shear
Reply:My on the road rate is $95 an hour for non government work portal to portal.   Emergency its $150 per hour portal to portal.  We only take credit cards for emergency work, unless its a good customer.   In my area I am really the only guy who answers the phone after hours.  Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Several years ago while I was employed at another fab shop the owner was bidding a job for some really cool balconies on Main st. in Hendersonville, NC. The home owner had bought 2 adjacent commercial properties and had opened the common wall to create one living space on the 2nd floor. They were adding 2 balconies to the front and fire escapes, elevator shafts and a roof top deck to the back. There is a bank on the 1st floor whose agreement with the property owners stipulated that our work could not disrupt their business during normal hours. While preparing the bid my boss asked how myself and the other employees felt about having to work at night. We said we didn't mind, but don't expect us to do it without some form of extra wages. He figured up his bid and doubled the labor to cover the night shift cost. He actually paid us double time from 5pm to 8 am. Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcSeveral years ago while I was employed at another fab shop the owner was bidding a job for some really cool balconies on Main st. in Hendersonville, NC. The home owner had bought 2 adjacent commercial properties and had opened the common wall to create one living space on the 2nd floor. They were adding 2 balconies to the front and fire escapes, elevator shafts and a roof top deck to the back. There is a bank on the 1st floor whose agreement with the property owners stipulated that our work could not disrupt their business during normal hours. While preparing the bid my boss asked how myself and the other employees felt about having to work at night. We said we didn't mind, but don't expect us to do it without some form of extra wages. He figured up his bid and doubled the labor to cover the night shift cost. He actually paid us double time from 5pm to 8 am.
Reply:Originally Posted by gclampI would hope you got some kind of extra. Thats a 15 hr night
Reply:Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesGuys we all hate to pay that off hour charges. So i don't charge for off hour rates. Same price from 2 in the after noon to 2 in the morning. You guys might think that is crazy, but i haven't had no down time at all in 5 years and when i need something done, i have never had to pay out of my *** for it. JC just keep in mind what comes around goes around. Just think about what you might have to pay someone when you are down. From portable welders being down to the trany in your truck going out, to calling up your LWS at 9 at night because you need something before the next morning.
Reply:Interesting comments from everyone, which is what I was looking for.  I went by and got paid this morning.  The owner was fully satisfied, and even said that the new gate opens esier than when it was new.  Made me feel really good.  He even said that he fully expected to pay more, but was glad that I called me.I was looking to find out what you other guys would have done.  Sounds like my price was about right.  That being said, if it was a regular, or a friend, things might have been different.  But should it really be?  We all like to take care of our regulars, but should the "once in a while guy" have to pay premium just because he doesn't call often, or only even once?  I don't know, now we're getting into morals and stuff.All in all, I got paid what I thought it was worth, the customer was happy, and felt like he got a deal.  Win-win.It's not what you can buy, it's what you can build.
Reply:Originally Posted by JC'sWeldingThat being said, if it was a regular, or a friend, things might have been different.  But should it really be?  We all like to take care of our regulars, but should the "once in a while guy" have to pay premium just because he doesn't call often, or only even once?  I don't know, now we're getting into morals and stuff.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHmm... I  look at it this way. My GOOD customers, the ones who deal only with me, call me when ever they need work done, who say " just fix it and let me know what it cost" or in one case " here it took longer, take an extra $100 because we held you up, NO I insist you take it!", who keep me busy or tell me to give them a call when I get slow they have a few odd jobs that need to be done "whenever", those are people that are worth taking care of. It might be shaving off a bit here or there, charging the std rate as opposed to the off hour rate, or tossing in a few materials. Not all the time, but here and there. I can list THOSE customers on one hand.Now a generic customer, they pay full price. If I cut everyone a break, I'll end up playing Monte Hall, "lets make a deal" with customers, usually AFTER the work is done. I've seen it many times with other guy's I've worked for. They do a "favor" for the customer because they sing a sob story, then the customer wants to haggle over how many hours went into the job after it was done, or they hold back part of the last payment saying they don't think the work was worth all that much etc.To me it's not about morals, but good business sense. Keep those who keep you going happy and they keep coming back. Happy does not mean cheap, it means getting quality and a fair deal. Oh and those GOOD customers, they're the ones who get Christmas cards with a little thank you note at the end of the year, just to show I appreciate their business.
Reply:Most skilled trades have a have a night/off-hours or emergency rate we shouldn't be different. Call a plumber, electrician or HVAC repairman after hours and see what the rates are. Yes a regular customer may get a better rate but they shouldn't expect it. You have a right to charge for having to go out after cleaning up, missing dinner, time with the family, etc. just be sure that it isn't over the top and that it is applied evenly. You hear the rumors about what so and so at the shop down the road charges well if your hearing it so are others in town and they are also hearing about you. Businessmen talk, even those in competition with each other, they like to compare notes. Just something to think about.
Reply:Originally Posted by regularfellaI respectfully disagree. If I've a plumbing emergency or something similar; it'd be my responsibility to pay a premium to ask a man to leave his home after hours. I personally wouldn't think of it as "gouging the customer". There's a reason that night shift jobs usually pay better.
Reply:Originally Posted by PookieWho defines what "after hours" means?  If you offer 24 hour service, then why a premium for what you already offer?  If you don't want to work after 5:00, then don't post your hours after 5:00.If I break down on the road and need a wrecker, I am going to call a 24 hour wrecker service, not the local garage who closes at 5:00.  With the current economic climate, how can anyone afford to turn down good paying jobs?
Reply:Time and a half from 6pm to 12pm Double time from 12pm to 6 amSaterdays are 1.5 times the normal rate.Sundays are 2 times the normal rate. All hours are charged portal to portal PER MAN.   From the time I unlock the gate and pull the truck out till the time I put the truck away and lock the gate back up.  Including time to Re-fuel the truck and welder, clean the tools and re-stock the truck.Doesn't matter if its a welding job, crane job, or heavy haul.   Im NOT a 24hr a day service.   Im a service buisness that will accomadate after hours services.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I have a side question that goes along with this.   When do you take payment???  Do you ask for half up front or pay in full upon completion of the job??? Just curious.   Will eventually be going into this full time and thought this was a good thread to "add to" the current conversation.My brother's wood working business, he asks for half up front and the other half at delivery and has them sign a contract.Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:In my company we get a signed contract and 40% down. That way if they screw us over we atleast have materials payed for. Then when the job is half done we get 50% of the remaining balance which leaves 10% for when the work is completed. I'm in the landscape business so it might be different. My average job last year was 30k and toped out at 250kMillermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:50% down 25% on delivery and 25% on completion.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dualie50% down 25% on delivery and 25% on completion.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmWhat's the difference between delivery and completion?  I don't deliver unless completed.Also, I happen to know of a 23 1/2 hr towing service.  Be nice when you call, cuz if you're a dick.....their closed.
Reply:Once in a jam a friend called me up to come over to the north side of town, it was late after 2 a.m.turns out someone he knew illegally parked and recieved the dreaded denver boot.the guy whom had his car booted said he'd give me $250 just to cut it off with the oxy\acetelyne torchsadly I  couldn't.I wonder if he thought about how much **** I would get in if the city found out I was pulling some **** like that.Although I have been sent out on an emergency gig or two from my localnot bad, all emergency gigs are double timeno mater how long they takeeven if it's one night or three weeks.all I want in my life are....... white castle cheese burgersOriginally Posted by 4421frankOnce in a jam a friend called me up to come over to the north side of town, it was late after 2 a.m.turns out someone he knew illegally parked and recieved the dreaded denver boot.the guy whom had his car booted said he'd give me $250 just to cut it off with the oxy\acetelyne torchsadly I  couldn't.I wonder if he thought about how much **** I would get in if the city found out I was pulling some **** like that.Although I have been sent out on an emergency gig or two from my localnot bad, all emergency gigs are double timeno mater how long they takeeven if it's one night or three weeks.
Reply:2 Chains and 2 locks in place of the hinges for the night if the customer is" a good customer" come back and fix it right in the AM and daylight. Some problems are a must fix their and then, some can be remedied till later. Lots of ways to make due.    Cheapster or the guy who tells you he couldn't get anyone else so he called you"  Minimum of time and a half rate. Half up front. Anyone who ever needed a plumber or Furnace tech after hours knows that there is no sympathy in business.I get the guys that want to be on a 30 day billing cylce. Like I said , anyone who comes to my place usually wants payment then and there, which I accept and understand."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Originally Posted by gclampI got one of those in the city one time, on my welding truck. took longer to un pack and re roll the torch than it did to cut it off. Cost my company over a grand by the time all was said and done. While I was in court, the rep from the city towing yard asked me why I did it? I asked him how many tools would be left on my truck after You towed it and if there was anything missing, would you pay for it? His answer was, we are not responsible for lost ar stolen property. Then I asked him what the average time was it took to get a vehicle out of impound. He says, a day. I had a lettered commercial vehicle and was parked legally. Judge threw out the ticket but I had to pay for the boot and some other misc caca. Judge asked me what I did with the boot, I told him it was hanging on my shop wall,  Stayed there till I left NJ, great conversation piece.
Reply:Delivery = materials landed on jobsite.   Completion = when the last tool is packed up on the truck.   I start the truck to let it warm up and walk back to you and get my money.I also deal with an great welding inspector that will not release his report to the engineers until both of us have been paid.the 50% down mitigates potential losses should something go wrong with the whole job.Mind you the larger 50K+ jobs get better terms and more leeway.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.