what should i charge?

[Beeza13]

Hi guys

I've just started out on my own as a plumber (no gas)

I'm based in loughborough and mainly work nottingham, loughborough and Leicester. but I'm originally from Teesside so I'm just trying to work out a correct day rate/ hourly rate? even though I tend to just do a job rate
I keep getting told I'm too cheap so getting a fair few jobs but don't want to be stepping on, other lads toes by undercutting them majorly.
any advice would be appreciated cheers Dave

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What’s your charges now

 

[Beeza13]

no call out fee
20-25ph small jobs
150 full day max I do tend to adjust now and again

 

[Harvest Fields]

Yes. I would say far too cheap.

 

[Beeza13]

what would u think us reasonable for this area? as don't know where u are based
and should i do a call out charge as I'm setting up in this area?

 

[Harvest Fields]

what would u think us reasonable for this area? as don't know where u are based
and should i do a call out charge as I'm setting up in this area?

Call around a few local places and see what they charge for similar jobs that you want to do.

 

[Beeza13]

Call around a few local places and see what they charge for similar jobs that you want to do.

Cheers for advice I do realise some lads get the hump when u ask that

 

[Harvest Fields]

Cheers for advice I do realise some lads get the hump when u ask that

Not the hump mate. It’s just really difficult to answer. It depends on far too many factors.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Around 200-250 a day ish around 25-30 an hour ish approx

 

[Scott_D]

If it’s small jobs I would charge more for the first hour. Otherwise you will be running round all day and have earned £75 and spent £20 on fuel.

 

[Mastermixlee]

no call out fee
20-25ph small jobs
150 full day max I do tend to adjust now and again

I'd pay you to come do all mine at that rate rather than doing myself lol.

Definitely up your costings I'd say. Not familiar with your area. But best way would be to work out your outgoings first (I know can be difficult when first starting) and go from there.

Work out vehicle costs (cost to purchase vehicle, maintenance and repairs, fuel costs, insurance etc).

Cost of tools (both initial cost and ongoing costs of consumables if not charging every item against a job)

Cost of public liability insurance.

Etc etc.

Then see how much work you'd need to do at what rate to cover all those costs. Now add to that until you feel comfortable with the earnings you'd make.

I know quite a few gas engineers who price themselves way too low and don't realise until end of year and tax is due and then realise the situation they've put themselves in by under pricing their work.

Good luck on your journey

 

[Murdoch]

Try just doing small jobs for £20 a pop and see how little you will earn ...... you won’t do many per day either .......

 

[Jim09876]

There’s no right or wrong answer mate, I say charge as much as possible without upsetting your customer! Worse when a customer says “I’m using you, just name a price?”

 

[SimonG]

250 a day
35 an hour
50 first hour

Also depends on your expenses.

 

[Chuck]

If you haven't done so already, I'd recommend getting yourself a good accountant. Preferably a small one who specialises in small traders and recommended by someone you know. They'll help you figure out what you need to charge to stay viable and will also make sure you know how much to put away for a pension, tax, insurance, etc. all of which add up rapidly. They'll also be able to tell you how to offset expenses against tax and make sure that the wording you are using for quotations, contracts, late payment reminders, etc. is legally water-tight.

Good luck.

P.S. Make sure you buy some decent knee pads AND WEAR THEM from day one.

 

[Rob Foster]

Pimlico Plumbers are the most
expensive ...£125 + vat per hour but thats central london
£200 plus a day is ok, call out fees yes esp. non regulars. What I would do is get some bread and butter stuff...like a hotel or block of flats or a nursing home and charge less but do planned maintenance so
you can go there when you want ...I picked up a graveyard and crematorium once ...but thats another story
centralheatking

 

[Mastermixlee]

Just on the kneepad comment... Definitely use kneepads from day one. May seem like a pain at first but get some decent work trousers with kneepad insert options.
Ive tried lots of different kneepads but found the best for me to be the snickers floor layers knee pads. Available online for around £35. May seem insignificant now but after seeing my dad and others suffer significant knee issues from working in this trade I think it's an absolute necessity.

Not sure if linking is allowed so moderators please blank out if not. But this link to screwfix are the kneepads I use.

https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/snickers-9118-non-slip-knee-pad-inserts-pair/80399

 

[Rob Foster]

knee pads deffo, I am 60 never used them wish I had AND never use your hand as a hammer which I also did/do
centralheatking

 

[Pickwickpick]

I2nd/3rd the kneepad recommendations, I really regret not using them when I started out, I've knackered my knees despite only being in early 30s. Get really bad bursitis, which coupled with frozen shoulder leaves me at times housebound with ice on my knees and hot waterbottle on my shoulder, quite the sight!

Ive tried lots of different kneepads but found the best for me to be the snickers floor layers knee pads. Available online for around £35.

How long do they last?

 

[Mastermixlee]

I2nd/3rd the kneepad recommendations, I really regret not using them when I started out, I've knackered my knees despite only being in early 30s. Get really bad bursitis, which coupled with frozen shoulder leaves me at times housebound with ice on my knees and hot waterbottle on my shoulder, quite the sight!



How long do they last?

Generally I find they last around 4 years wearing them every day for work and at home doing the house renovating too.

Though they don't fall apart at all and probably are better than the other kneepads I've tried even after the four years... I replace them just for the extra support around the 4 year mark.

When first wear them they may feel a little firm but the beads mould to your knees and within a week they're super comfortable.

Also seems very resistant to nails, screws etc which I would of shredded my knee up on multiple times over the years if I hadn't been wearing them.

 

[Aire]

How long do they last?

Ive been using these for around 8 years now and I'm on my 4th pair, current ones are about 9 months old so I'm getting more than 2 years use per pair.

I'm not sure how mastermixlee gets 4 years out of them, maybe I just work harder 😛

Also worth noting that they don't fit all trousers, dont have an issue with any snickers but can be a tight fit with other trousers.

 

[Mastermixlee]

Ive been using these for around 8 years now and I'm on my 4th pair, current ones are about 9 months old so I'm getting more than 2 years use per pair.

I'm not sure how mastermixlee gets 4 years out of them, maybe I just work harder 😛

Quite possibly lol as at the moment I mainly do breakdowns and services so not as much installation and pipework as some others.

It's either that or I spend less time on my knees outside of working hours 🙄😉

 

[Mastermixlee]

My cousins a commercial flooring contractor who is on his knees all day every day for work and he goes through a pair of these every 18 months. But he works pretty much 7 days a week and long hours. So your mileage may vary lol

Still worth every penny in my opinion.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I use redbacks very soft and comfortable

 

[Aire]

I use redbacks very soft and comfortable

Never seen these before, they look good though. I'll give them a try when I'm ready for a new pair.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Never seen these before, they look good though. I'll give them a try when I'm ready for a new pair.

Yep I think they are

 

[Harvest Fields]

I use the standard snickers ones. Do me ok.

 

[Matthew Score]

I am based in Bingham just outside of Nottingham and charge £300 day rate, £60 for the first hour the £40 there after.

If you are looking for work let me know, as I know somebody who has a kitchen and bathroom contract or the council in Loughborough.

 

[Rob Foster]

I am based in Bingham just outside of Nottingham and charge £300 day rate, £60 for the first hour the £40 there after.

If you are looking for work let me know, as I know somebody who has a kitchen and bathroom contract or the council in Loughborough.

I think thats a really sensible approach, esp. the 1st hour and the roll up into the day charge
brilliant ...its easy for customers to understand
centralheatking

 

[Dave verd]

It's not just knee pads (red backs for me) but all safety gear. Treat your self to good ear defenders not cheap and a good respirator for working in lofts and good lighting

 

[Riley]

I use redbacks very soft and comfortable

I second redbacks. They even tell those who are challenged where to kneel

 

[Mastermixlee]

OK these redback have got my interest now lol.

They look like someone's been playing with a 3d printer and used spray adhesive to stick a bit of fabric to em but seem to have very good reviews.

 

[Harvest Fields]

They look like something Tony Stark has made for Peter Parker.

 

[Riley]

Best way I can describe them it’s very similar to flooring some pubs have behind the bar, takes a lot of impact. The only downside is they are a little heavier than the foam ones

 

[Dave verd]

Very comfortable especially when 1st fixing and kneeling on joists they are heavier than foam pads so I wear braces to keep the trousers up

 

[Riley]

Yeah godsend for joist work

 

[kozak1968]

£40 minimum

 

[Beeza13]

I am based in Bingham just outside of Nottingham and charge £300 day rate, £60 for the first hour the £40 there after.

If you are looking for work let me know, as I know somebody who has a kitchen and bathroom contract or the council in Loughborough.

cheers for that mate, I will let you know if I'm struggling cheers, Also thanks to you and every one for the advice

 

[Knappers]

I think £40/h £200/day for a plumber is about right.

I'm just south of Leicester and charge 60 for first hour and 40 p/h after, 300 for day, 100 for out of hours callout.

When I first went self employed I started at 50 first hour, 35ph after

Looking at changing to 60/h with 20min increments after first hour as I tend to undercharge for jobs that go over the hour.
350/day, 200 for 4h

I do provide a good after sales service and free quotes, if the job is very straight forward and wasnt out of my way I'll sometimes take £20 or £40. It's surprising sometimes how little I can make in a day, like today I was out for 11hours and only made £160, with my weekly overheads at £200 that doesn't pay the bills!

I have to take at least £1000/week to make being self employed worthwhile