Quotes.......should you charge to view and quote a small roofing job after drivjng 15miles..?

[knightstemplar]

So I've been asked to view a job approximately 15miles away,the customer rents the property out and has been told by the tenant that theres a leak near the chimney.im being used by the customer to go and view and assess the issue,question is what should I charge considering driving there and going up ladder with time out of my earning day.
Question is what and how do I charge ?

 

[Murdochcat]

Nothing

 

[Diver Fred]

How badly do you need the work? Is he a regular customer? Is this in your normal work area? Will doing this job being you more work?
Answer those questions to yourself then you should have the answer.

 

[simplesteve]

If you tell him there will be a charge up front to come out and see it, then your problem will be solved - he'll tell you where to go !

 

[jj4091]

Do people think a plumber would not charge to come and find the cause of a leak and not charge. I think if I was prepared to go and assess the damage then I would be providing a service that should be paid for. Especially when it's not going to be a pop in job. Time and travelling expenses that will be deducted from the final bill if asked to do the job would be how I would approach it.

 

[JohnD]

So I've been asked to view a job approximately 15miles away,the customer rents the property out and has been told by the tenant that theres a leak near the chimney.im being used by the customer to go and view and assess the issue,question is what should I charge considering driving there and going up ladder with time out of my earning day.
Question is what and how do I charge ?

Visiting prospective clients and preparing quotations is one of the costs of running a business. You have to recover the costs in your chargeable work. When I was in business on my own I typically had about 220 revenue-earning days per year, which is pretty high. It gets easier when you have a reputation and an established customer base.

You are under no obligation to incur costs if you assess the chances of recovering them to be low.

No doubt there is some reason why the landlord can't find a local tradesman willing to quote. I wonder what it is?

 

[accelerator]

Making an assessment of the roof is a job itself. Charge what makes it worth your while doing it. Then tell the customer that charge would be deducted from the repair cost if they decide to go ahead.

If they don't want to pay for the assessment, then move on.

This does decrease the chance of you getting the job though, so it depends on whether you really need the work or not.

 

[Elsa TLC]

I charge for investigation of leaking shower rooms and bathrooms.

 

[Koolpc]

The thought of charging just to look at a job!!!! Ewwwwwwwww...

 

[Elsa TLC]

The thought of charging just to look at a job!!!! Ewwwwwwwww...

Leak detection companies do just that.

 

[pete01]

If I could charge to look at work I wouldn't do any work id just look at loads....

 

[Mottie]

Most garages would charge for investigation/diagnostic work before giving a quote to do the job if there was some fault finding involved.

 

[Elsa TLC]

I have an investigation next week. £75 . Then I'll give him a price to fix his problem.

Ive only recently started to do this. Most turn their nose up but a few have said yes please. 3 in total so far.

 

[Koolpc]

Leak detection companies do just that.

You didnt get the joke...

 

[Elsa TLC]

You didnt get the joke...

Was it a northern sort of joke