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AIBU?

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Original poster

Paying more because it’s a Sunday

72 replies

Rowenaravenclawsdiadem · 28/09/2019 14:22

To ask would you expect to pay more if you called a workman out on a Sunday?

DH is in the infancy of a new business and is looking at having a 7 day a week call out but says people charge double for carrying out work on a Sunday.

I think when you are just starting out you should charge a flat rate, build up a reputation for being reasonable and reliable etc.

He says not, I say shops etc are now open 7 days a week as standard and Sunday is no longer a big deal.

Settle an argument!

OP posts:
Singlebutmarried · 28/09/2019 14:33

Core business hours £25/hr
Early morning/evening time and a half
Early hours/Sunday double time

I’d have saturdays as a core business day as well.

HaveeeeYouMetTed · 28/09/2019 14:35

I'd expect a tradesman to charge more for a Sunday & bank holiday call out. Perhaps not double but definitely more than the weekday rate. I'd actually be a bit wary if a callout charge was the same throughout the week & view it as someone not being that skilled in their sector.

Singlebutmarried · 28/09/2019 14:35

I’ve pulled the £25 out of the air

Most lumber I know have a day rate. Half day rate and an hourly rate.

Difficultcustomer · 28/09/2019 14:35

I’d expect to pay more at the weekend. However I’d really get annoyed if I became a loyal customer then you upped the weekend rate when you get a good reputation.

What I’d really like is a trader that is part of a trade body that checks things like insurance.

CalmFizz · 28/09/2019 14:35

In an ideal world, how would he like his working week to flow? Would he like to have pre booked work with other contractors and knowing where he’s going to be from one day to another?
Does he want more lucrative last minute fix my leaking tap in the night/weekend work but less stability and no guarantees.

IAmALazyArse · 28/09/2019 14:36

Sorry. Not he. You don't want to charge extra🙈 Weekend brain.

Good you are taking the opinions here on! That's a nice change on AIBU😁

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 28/09/2019 14:37

Your DH is right. Sunday isn’t a standard working day for most business (outside of retail) it’s family time and resting time. It’s valuable.

Original poster
Rowenaravenclawsdiadem · 28/09/2019 14:38

I think at the moment he wants to build up so is flexible.

What about when people want non emergency work done so I need my radiators changing (literally no clue what I’m talking about) but can only do it Saturday.

OP posts:
JonnyPocketRocket · 28/09/2019 14:38

If it fits in with other aspects of your lifestyle, a third option could be to charge a flat rate for, say, Thursday-Monday and have Tuesday and Wednesday as his "weekend". He might get a reputation as a reliable, affordable weekend plumber but also not have to work a 7-day week.

Original poster
Rowenaravenclawsdiadem · 28/09/2019 14:39

At the moment it’s all so new we are trying things out. He has been really busy to date so going well.

OP posts:
FrauHaribo · 28/09/2019 14:42

What about when people want non emergency work done so I need my radiators changing (literally no clue what I’m talking about) but can only do it Saturday.

they agree to pay more
or they take a day off
or they ask a friend to be there
It's a pain, but we all manage. On a side note, building works is not allowed by most councils saturday afternoons and sundays . that wouldn't apply to a plumber or someone doing an emergency repair, but it's accepted that weekend work is not standard.

Original poster
Rowenaravenclawsdiadem · 28/09/2019 14:43

Good to know people thank you.

Also if you need any work doing - hit me up.

But he charged double at weekends.

OP posts:
aurynne · 28/09/2019 14:50

The problem with charging the same on Sunday is, he will end up being called every Sunday.

Ariela · 28/09/2019 14:51

My OH is not a plumber, but has a trade. He has a weekday rate and a weekend/out of hours/bank holiday rate of double. He also has a minimum call out charge of 4 hours work - meaning call outs are for emergency work not on a whim.. .. he earns at least double that he used to earn when employed and works just over half the hours he used to.

category12 · 28/09/2019 14:52

Of course people would want normal rates for weekend work, but you'd be daft to do it. As pp said, there are council rules about work at weekends - and remember, your word of mouth/reputation doesn't just come from the people who hire you, but the neighbours you inconvenience and piss off too.

He should be properly compensated for call-outs etc at weekends.

Ninkaninus · 28/09/2019 14:52

Yes I would expect to pay double.

Don’t build a business on underselling your skills, it’s not going to go well.

jennymanara · 28/09/2019 14:52

I have several friends in the trades. The weekends they generally reserve for emergency call outs and charge more. But if someone wants work done, they want the money and the tradesperson is busy so can only do weekends, no they don't charge more.

MutedUser · 28/09/2019 15:03

Of course my husband is a tradesman he gets double on weekends and nighttime call outs .

jennymanara · 28/09/2019 15:04

Yes call outs. It is normal to get double on call outs at weekend.

shiningstar2 · 28/09/2019 15:08

I think a bit more for Sunday is fair enough. But not double. As you say many people are simply on time on a Sunday these days and he does need to build his business. He wouldn't want to lose work in the early days of the business when he needs the money and he can build his business through reputation and word of mouth. I think there could be a lot of work for him on a Sunday if his prices are competitive because people who work weekdays won't have to get time off. I would go with time and a half and some people will go with this because of the convenience. He can review it up or down depending on how much work he gets.

EmeraldShamrock · 28/09/2019 15:14

I worked for a facility companys. A weekend call out was double time if you were lucky to get one.
Most of the large hotels and supermarkets had expensive maintenance contract to ensure they'd get weekend call outs.
Sunday call outs for plumbers and electricians are like hens teeth.

halloumi2019 · 28/09/2019 15:16

I wouldn’t no, unless it was an emergency call out. If they advertise as working on Sunday as standard I would expect their standard rates. Double is a bit much IMO.

I know for previous generations Sunday was a scared day of rest and businesses would be non existent on a Sunday etc. However I’m in my early 20s and I truly think times have moved on, Sunday is just a normal day.

AuchAyeTheNo · 28/09/2019 15:18

Yes. Every place I’ve worked plays more for Sunday hours but I’m in Scotland.

I’ve went from retail to travel and now into healthcare and I have always had a Sunday supplement

MilkGoatee · 28/09/2019 15:19

No, definitely charge extra/double for Sundays, otherwise you get loads of people taking advantage and calling you out on the weekend for something that could have waited until Monday.

You can always go back to a single charge after seeing the circumstances, for example, repairing the central heating where there are vulnerable people in the house, stuff like that. But the default should be double or extra, and anything you take off should be a (rare) favour.

MilkGoatee · 28/09/2019 15:22

And, come to think of it, if business becomes booming he may need to take on a member of staff. Who will want pay and a half for Sundays.

Start as you want to go on, I would say, it's very hard to increase charges at a later stage.