How much do you earn?

[LPC]

I went out for a meal at the weekend with some friends of my wife. Got talking to a couple of guys in another trade and we somehow ended up talking about money. These are guys i've known for sometime, not 'friends' per se but husbands of my wifes friends.

There were lots of drinks and they ended up pushing me for how much a heating engineer earns. I told them on an average mooching about day (servicing/repairs etc) i'll take home on average around 300, if i'm putting in a boiler it's generally more like 500, sometimes more than that. On average i'll do at least a boiler a week.

They were downright offended by that, and the night got very frosty afterwards. To the point where one of them had to send me an apology text the next day because he got so out-of-order afterwards.

So, I learned my lesson. But I'm pretty reasonable compared to a lot of prices I hear about around here (£90 for a service, callout charges etc). So is that about right compared to you guys? These guys acted like I just slapped them when they heard those numbers.

 

[villa_tom]

Looks like your missus will be paying for everything when she's out with her mates from now on then 🙂

 

[villa_tom]

On a good week I'll earn roughly £1100 and on a bad week I'll do about £850, I'd say I average out at about £940 a week.

Most years I earn between £40k and £45k with outgoings of roughly £5k, so I'm happy 🙂

 

[jonnyswamp]

None of my wifes friends husbands would have the bollox to ask and if they did they'd have a very short reply
When I hear the comments of "you must be loaded, your a plumber" I smile and say you don't believe everything you read do you? you can't be that dull surely
Usually does the trick

 

[WaterTight]

I went out for a meal at the weekend with some friends of my wife. Got talking to a couple of guys in another trade and we somehow ended up talking about money. These are guys i've known for sometime, not 'friends' per se but husbands of my wifes friends.

There were lots of drinks and they ended up pushing me for how much a heating engineer earns. I told them on an average mooching about day (servicing/repairs etc) i'll take home on average around 300, if i'm putting in a boiler it's generally more like 500, sometimes more than that. On average i'll do at least a boiler a week.

They were downright offended by that, and the night got very frosty afterwards. To the point where one of them had to send me an apology text the next day because he got so out-of-order afterwards.

So, I learned my lesson. But I'm pretty reasonable compared to a lot of prices I hear about around here (£90 for a service, callout charges etc). So is that about right compared to you guys? These guys acted like I just slapped them when they heard those numbers.

if i made 500 a day with any regularity for heating i'd probably keep it to myself

 

[hammers4spanner]

Im the lowest paid out of most of my closer mates they are not trades tho more like building professionals or some fancy titles in some blue chip company.

i would guess my wage bounces from £100 to £300 a day

 

[REDSAW]

got to be busy and have a good source of work to earn that!

how much? you rip offfffff.lol
told you guys i should up my price to £160 ph like the guy on watchdog...

 

[LPC]

Not that hard is it? 5-6 services a day at £45 a go, £300ish right there. From September till Feb i'm generally doing at least 3-4 a day if i'm not installing, up to 10 a day in busy periods. Do about 5-10 landlord certs a week etc.

Granted some days I don't seem to get anything done and take home £80 or something, but that is a rarity.

I know a bathroom fitter who earns no less than £3k a week just fitting on recs from a local fairly high-end bathroom showroom.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Just green eyes shinning through mate, did you go on to explain all your overheads and monthly outgoings to balance out the incoming money?

TBH I never discuss my earnings with others it's always gonna end bad!?

 

[LPC]

I did actually lay that out but at that point it wasn't going to fly. It was the first, only and last time i've ever told anyone roughly what I earn. To be honest I didn't expect that reaction from an electrician and air-conditioning engineer (who employs 3 people).

 

[kris]

When they asked you about your wages they were basically checking to see if there willy is bigger than yours,
I would've politely replied mind your own f)!£king business, lol

 

[REDSAW]

I did actually lay that out but at that point it wasn't going to fly. It was the first, only and last time i've ever told anyone roughly what I earn. To be honest I didn't expect that reaction from an electrician and air-conditioning engineer (who employs 3 people).

would have thought those trades charge more on jobs tbh!.
i know a sparky mate of mine who does £2k a week!!

 

[hammers4spanner]

I honestly don't know how sparks charge so much tbh

Its a lot less aggro than plumbs heating

i get that commercial is different ball game but domestics??

 

[kris]

Seems to be a huge variation of difference in hourly rates from guys that are in same trade and area, where I stay some sparks are horrendously expensive then you've ones who are reasonable, there's one who charges a fortune and all he likes to do is change light bulbs, I'm not sure what air cons are on as only ones up here are refrigeration ones , not much air on atall, ( cold enuf)

 

[lame plumber]

my cousin owns an aircon company he started 15 years back, its multimillion turnover now, he pops in once or twice a week to see what his managers are upto... me green horned, of course but I'm happy with my lot down in Devon just earning a crust and enjoying life not worrying what dress the Mrs is going to buy at Prada. Everyone round here says I am expensive, hey ho lifes a pig.

 

[Leo21]

I went out for a meal at the weekend with some friends of my wife. Got talking to a couple of guys in another trade and we somehow ended up talking about money. These are guys i've known for sometime, not 'friends' per se but husbands of my wifes friends.

There were lots of drinks and they ended up pushing me for how much a heating engineer earns. I told them on an average mooching about day (servicing/repairs etc) i'll take home on average around 300, if i'm putting in a boiler it's generally more like 500, sometimes more than that. On average i'll do at least a boiler a week.

They were downright offended by that, and the night got very frosty afterwards. To the point where one of them had to send me an apology text the next day because he got so out-of-order afterwards.

So, I learned my lesson. But I'm pretty reasonable compared to a lot of prices I hear about around here (£90 for a service, callout charges etc). So is that about right compared to you guys? These guys acted like I just slapped them when they heard those numbers.

Yup about the same, bit more on both. Not much though.

 

[cr0ft]

There is quite a big variation in wages between companies around here ranging generally based on how good the plumbing company is. There is a large company around here that does s*** work and has 3 different shops. One sells gas fires and installs, another sells boilers and heating installs and another does bathrooms. All 3 produce crap quality work but they are cheap as chips.

Companies like ours charge top whack but don't rush our jobs, take our time etc.

People may say they earn £500 per day. I suspect they turnover £500 a day 5 days a week which is actually £357 per day of turnover assuming you take a weekend off. Assuming a minimal 4 weeks a year of holiday that's £120,000 of turnover. Unless your vans and tools don't depreciate and you have no bills to pay what you earn is going to be significantly less than that.

I would be very very surprised if any one man company working as a heating engineer consistently earns £500 profit per day. In fact, I will put my neck on the line and say there is no way that is going to happen!

 

[cr0ft]

I honestly don't know how sparks charge so much tbh

Its a lot less aggro than plumbs heating

i get that commercial is different ball game but domestics??

There is more demand as most wives generally won't let their husbands tamper with the electrics unless they know what they are doing due to the perceived risk. Lots of husbands will try their hand at plumbing/heating!

 

[Leo21]

There is quite a big variation in wages between companies around here ranging generally based on how good the plumbing company is. There is a large company around here that does s*** work and has 3 different shops. One sells gas fires and installs, another sells boilers and heating installs and another does bathrooms. All 3 produce crap quality work but they are cheap as chips.

Companies like ours charge top whack but don't rush our jobs, take our time etc.

People may say they earn £500 per day. I suspect they turnover £500 a day 5 days a week which is actually £357 per day of turnover assuming you take a weekend off. Assuming a minimal 4 weeks a year of holiday that's £120,000 of turnover. Unless your vans and tools don't depreciate and you have no bills to pay what you earn is going to be significantly less than that.

I would be very very surprised if any one man company working as a heating engineer consistently earns £500 profit per day. In fact, I will put my neck on the line and say there is no way that is going to happen!

I do, normally once or twice a week. Next week two days of £600 a day after materials and labourer wages. Then on to servicing.

 

[cr0ft]

What I mean is when you average it out over a year I don't think it's possible to make £500 per day profit as a one man band.

 

[Leo21]

What I mean is when you average it out over a year I don't think it's possible to make £500 per day profit as a one man band.

Ahh, ok I get you. And your probably right.

 

[lame plumber]

if I got up at 6 am and finished at 7 pm 5 days a week, had enough customers, I could earn £500 a day easily. Buuuut I am a lazy git, get to first job at 9am and like to be home at 4 ish so I earn anything fm £75 to £500 plus depending on whether I replace a washer or wack in a boiler. But over the year it all adds up to enough to keep the Mrs and daughter in horses 🙂

 

[jtsplumbing]

Would be nice to earn money like that, but then you get to a high standard of living, the problems start when the big earnings stop, and you find that you cant meet your commitments, No I'm with Lame on this, make enough to get by, no stress, finish early, no weekends, time to do your own thing, you get to a point when you wise up & realise money's not every thing

 

[REDSAW]

like my dad used to say when asked..

'just enough for what i want & just enough to do it again tomorrow!'

amen

 

[Ermintrude]

Don't earn enough. I charge myself out too cheep. Got £420 in loot on Monday and I'm not happy. Would like to say £1000 a day. But it's more like £10

 

[bright spark]

Are we talking cash in d pocket profit here lads. I'm in d commercial end, no one pays cash. All cheques and electronic bank transfers. A bit ****e but won't have taxman after me either.
Domestic game handy that way. You'll never b short a bit of walk about cash.
i do well enough in Ireland. Used to break me nuts working night, noon and morning but take it a bit easier nowadays.
regarding d lads out for a meal, I would've just told them that I didn't want to upset them by tell inch them what I click a week.
the trades are handy for the few shillings. Me mam always told me to marry a hairdresser, he'll never b short. Didn't take advice as the ones I went with were mad alco's

 

[SimonG]

I earn enough, but a little more wouldnt go amiss 🙂

 

[REDSAW]

Are we talking cash in d pocket profit here lads. I'm in d commercial end, no one pays cash. All cheques and electronic bank transfers. A bit ****e but won't have taxman after me either.
Domestic game handy that way. You'll never b short a bit of walk about cash.
i do well enough in Ireland. Used to break me nuts working night, noon and morning but take it a bit easier nowadays.
regarding d lads out for a meal, I would've just told them that I didn't want to upset them by tell inch them what I click a week.
the trades are handy for the few shillings. Me mam always told me to marry a hairdresser, he'll never b short. Didn't take advice as the ones I went with were mad alco's

what are you insinuating?
us domestics always declare our earnings. cough!

 

[gasmanrob]

The air con engineer at the company I work for works out of a Mercedes AMG ML. Not a spec of dirt on him either! I assume he's on £50 a day...

i used to chase money untill 4 months ago. 12 years of working 6 days a week minimum sometimes 18/20 hour days.. You know what it got me 10k in debt 2 CCJs and a bad temper. Was it worth it?

ill take 9-5 and my bills covered thanks someone show me a weekend!

 

[REDSAW]

The air con engineer at the company I work for works out of a Mercedes AMG ML. Not a spec of dirt on him either! I assume he's on £50 a day...

i used to chase money untill 4 months ago. 12 years of working 6 days a week minimum sometimes 18/20 hour days.. You know what it got me 10k in debt 2 CCJs and a bad temper. Was it worth it?

ill take 9-5 and my bills covered thanks someone show me a weekend!

money is the cheap part of life!!

 

[Leo21]

money is the cheap part of life!!

Sheez! Need a friggin translator tonight with you don't we.

 

[gasmanrob]

Sheez! Need a friggin translator tonight with you don't we.

Think he ment to say it's lessons that are expensive

 

[Whyme]

Christ on a bike. employed £150 a day before tax and got quals coming out my earholes....Cant afford to go on me own ( zero capitol)...Enjoy your fancy red wine over xmas and think of me with me blue nun lol.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Are we talking cash in d pocket profit here lads. I'm in d commercial end, no one pays cash. All cheques and electronic bank transfers. A bit ****e but won't have taxman after me either.
Domestic game handy that way. You'll never b short a bit of walk about cash.
i do well enough in Ireland. Used to break me nuts working night, noon and morning but take it a bit easier nowadays.
regarding d lads out for a meal, I would've just told them that I didn't want to upset them by tell inch them what I click a week.
the trades are handy for the few shillings. Me mam always told me to marry a hairdresser, he'll never b short. Didn't take advice as the ones I went with were mad alco's

Your more likely to get nosed at fella

 

[Millsy 82]

I always say enough. It's not there business how much I earn.

They are probably just jealous though as everybody thinks plumbing is a sh1tty job and we shouldn't be worth the money.

 

[Leo21]

I always play it down and bang on about over heads, unless they're anoying me. Then I'm a rich man.

 

[hammers4spanner]

i sometimes say that

harp on about cost of running a business and plead poverty

 

[Rickster123]

Who asks someone they barely know how much they earn?! What a pair of knob ends. That said I hope you've picked me for secret Santa, I like cars and speedboats!

 

[AlexGas]

Manners are Important! Do not ask personal or intimate questions, such as:
How much money do you earn?
How much do you weigh?
Why aren't you married?

Also:
Do not greet people with a kiss.
Avoid talking loudly in public.
It is impolite to stare at anyone in public.
Do not ask a lady her age.
Do not pick your nose in public.
Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and hugging.
Do not spit.
Do not burp in public.
Do not pass wind in public.
It is impolite speak with your mouth full of food.

 

[cr0ft]

Darn. I do talk pretty loudly in public. I also burp and fart at work fairly regularly I'm afraid. And I did start a recent thread about profit margins, that's sort of like asking how much you earn.

I am very rude!!

 

[Ray Stafford]

I earn less than Mrs S and Miss S spend. Sigh.

Actually this isnt quite true. It's what Mr Osborne spends that tips us over the edge.

 

[AlexGas]

It’s not a competition… People get paid what they are worth!

 

[REDSAW]

Manners are Important! Do not ask personal or intimate questions, such as:
How much money do you earn?
How much do you weigh?
Why aren't you married?

Also:
Do not greet people with a kiss.
Avoid talking loudly in public.
It is impolite to stare at anyone in public.
Do not ask a lady her age.
Do not pick your nose in public.
Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and hugging.
Do not spit.
Do not burp in public.
Do not pass wind in public.
It is impolite speak with your mouth full of food.

i was with you until the last 6 lol

 

[newcastle phill]

I dont discuss money with anyone.

Private and confidential

 

[lame plumber]

Manners are Important! Do not ask personal or intimate questions, such as:
How much money do you earn? OR HOW MUCH DO YOU COST
How much do you weigh? NOUGHT WRONG WITH FAT LASSES
Why aren't you married? BETTER IF YOU ARE 🙂

Also:
Do not greet people with a kiss. TELL THAT TO MY LAB
Avoid talking loudly in public. TELL THAT TO MY DAUGHTER
It is impolite to stare at anyone in public. TELL THAT TO ME 🙂
Do not ask a lady her age. JUST GUESS
Do not pick your nose in public. CAN YOU SCRATCH YOUR NUTS
Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and hugging. MIDDLE FINGER?
Do not spit. UNLESS ITS FOREPLAY
Do not burp in public. UNLESS SHE IS CHOKING
Do not pass wind in public. DO IT IN PRIVATE SHE HATES THAT MORE
It is impolite speak with your mouth full. WHAT ABOUT WHEN ITS FULL OF WILLIE, CAN SHE TALK THEN

................

 

[Whyme]

It’s not a competition… People get paid what they are worth!

View attachment 20326

OOooohhh ooooo AAAka aaka.

 

[tamz]

This one really annoys me!
What you make in a day a week or a month is not what you earn. You tell them you make £1000 in a day sometimes and they think you pocket £1000 for a day. Its bollox.
Your average Joe who is employed thinks of that as your top line on a wage slip less taxes the same as them and have no idea what an overhead is.
They are fuvkin idiots.
If you feel you need to tell them anything, tell them you work 18 hr days, manage to pay the bills and if you are lucky get a holiday and have enough left to keep the taxman from knocking your door down and throwing you on the street.
Its all they need to know.

 

[Best]

One guy (very well educated) I worked for in recent times, said that a plumber like myself is only worth £80 - £100 total per day self employed to cover everything. Yet he earns approx 60k.

 

[Millsy 82]

One guy (very well educated) I worked for in recent times, said that a plumber like myself is only worth £80 - £100 total per day self employed to cover everything. Yet he earns approx 60k.

Did you turn round to say well I earn £80-100 per hour depending on what the customer is like!

 

[hammers4spanner]

Fair play to anyone who does well out of this game tho as my mate says who is a QS for a large building firm earning serious ££££'S
You could be high flying contractor one week but by the time i have finished with them they are penniless or bankrupt .

I am happy with what i can squeeze out of this

 

[tomplumb83]

Plumbing is a struggle. Thats all they need to know

 

[rpm]

Enough to make me get out of bed in the mornings but not enough to have the sort of house I would like is a stock answer.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Whatever others earn won't affect my life. I do what I want and don't worry. Never be a billionaire but stay happy.