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what should i charge?

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Beeza13

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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
 
What’s your charges now
 
Beeza13 said:
no call out fee
20-25ph small jobs
150 full day max I do tend to adjust now and again
Click to expand...
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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!

Mastermixlee said:
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.
Click to expand...

How long do they last?
 
Pickwickpick said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Pickwickpick said:
How long do they last?
Click to expand...
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 :p

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.
 
Craig Watson said:
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 :p
Click to expand...

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 :rolleyes:;)
 
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.
 
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.
 
Matthew Score said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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