Well, did they include a "trip charge" in the total bill? If so then they should only bill for the 7 hours.

I'm betting their "10 min trip to get wire" was between 12 noon and 1.00pm. Convenient, given that most electrical supply houses close for an hour for lunch!

Did they say they would bill you only for their time on-site? Their day may have started earlier than their arrival at your home -- loading the vehicle with tools and supplies, stopping on the way to pick up materials, etc. If it was 2-3 hours I'd probably question the invoice, but for one hour I'd let it go. But that's just how I roll.

Einportlander, I was only told I'd be billed for the hours initially and no trip charge was Included on the invoice.

Sktn77a, it was 10:40-11:50. When I talked to him I was told that it was because of my distance to the supply house. I know exactly which one they must have went to, its 15 minutes away (20 if there is "traffic" - its a small town.) So there was probably a slight amount of lolli-gagging/Snack getting but not enough for it to be worth arguing. (we have a Kirby's only 5 minutes away which is where I'd originally assumed they went.)

I spoke with him and he took off $100 for the extra hour. So I was happy with that. I want to be fair, but I don't want to be overcharged either.

What was the total bill for the work? My experience with estimates for replacing a complete electrical panel is they will do it for a fixed price of about $1800-$2500. This price includes the permit, inspection, parts, etc. However, they may charge additional if they have to purchase more than a few new breakers (estimate usually has a number in it). The rewiring of your A/C would be a separate job, and may be charged by the hour instead of by the job (not sure).

Bruce

If they have to be on site waiting for an inspector (unless it was there fault that he wasn't there), then they deserve to be paid. They're not being paid by the calorie, they're being paid by the time they have to be on your job and not working somewhere else.

You keep saying "they" - I assume that is a single person... ? Other times you say "him".

Dennisgli - I spoke with the electrician "him" who owns the company, he sent a crew of two "they" to do the actual job.

Bruce, it was bid by the hour, I was told a range, it went over that range, but that's ok. I mainly wasn't wanting to pay for hours they weren't there since I want given a fixed price. I was ok with the supply run once he explained where they went, we have a place much closer so when they told me they'd be gone 10 minutes and were gone over an hour I questioned it.

Its all good. We worked it out, he took off the extra hour so I was only billed for the 7 they were on the job, which includes the supply run and waiting for inspector.

Ah - that's why I asked - if two people worked for 7 hours and you were only billed for 8 hours of labor that sounds like a pretty reasonable charge to me.

Sounds like a 10 hour day x2. Or, a $2500 project.

It was a 7 hour day. I was charged for 8hrs x 2 (men). He reduced it to the 7 hours (x2).

People like this are the worst to work for. you need to remember youre paying us for more than the 7 hours were there. we have to go and get parts, we take lunch, which we are legally owed working an eight hour day.

theres also usualy a $150 service charge fee just to go out there. if we work a full day for someone we will sometimes wave that too.

youre (sic)

were (sic)

"legally owed lunch"? lol

Caps key broken?

theres (sic)

usualy (sic)

wave (sic)

People like this are the worst to work for. you need to remember youre paying us for more than the 7 hours were there. we have to go and get parts, we take lunch, which we are legally owed working an eight hour day.

theres also usualy a $150 service charge fee just to go out there. if we work a full day for someone we will sometimes wave that too.

That's why time and material billing is a dino that is mostly extinct. It just creates something to argue about. Plus you get better at your craft and you make less? Or you get accused of riding the clock.

It just doesn't work -- flat rate may get you less jobs, but then you're not spending time squabbling. You can focus more on your work. Just a suggestion, Dave. ;-)

You will still come in contact with people who do not know the value of a buck and how far it currently goes, but don't let that stop you.

I work for a company. its not up to me personally.

we do all T&M for service work. not sure what roxk you live under to call it extinct.

No need to speak to me as though ive been doing this for a week.

offering my opinion. last i checked this is an open forum with all opinions welcome.

The iPhone app works fine for READING this site, but I always go to my desktop to enter anything.

I agree reading is fine. trying to type is another story. its the worst forum for mobile. i dont use a desktop often.