Plumber's Service Charges

Ball Plumbing charges a service charge of $45.00. We started this when fuel prices started to skyrocket and will stop when the fuel prices get back to 2009 prices.

Much confusion about the "service charge", though. I looked the term up in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, which doesn't charge a service charge for their service. Based on the first definition, our use of the term "service charge" is correct, in that we charge another fee in addition to our minimum fee of $88.00, which covers one hour of labor.

Tax and parts are always separate and without fail will surprise everyone including us.

I bet the term confusion stems from some plumbers using the term "service charge" to get paid for outrageous estimates. It's a nicer term than "estimate fee", I guess. I don't know, but it sure is annoying.

service charge

 noun

: an amount of money that is charged for a particular service in addition to a basic fee

: an amount of money that is paid to the owner of an apartment building for services (such as garbage collection)

: a charge added to a bill in a restaurant to pay for the work of the waitress or waiter

Ball Plumbing Prices and Services

We are 100% transparent in our prices and post them on the internet: http://www.ballplumbing.net/services.html

Here's the short version:

Ball Plumbing offer two ways to purchase our services: Fixed (Contract) or Time and Material (Hourly plus parts). It's your choice.

1. Fixed Price (Contract): Our plumber will give a written quote before work commences. The contract price includes parts, labor, service and estimate charge, everything except tax.

All quotes have to be on-site; no phone quotes. A $88.00 estimate fee applies.

2. *Time and Material (Hourly plus parts):

• Monday-Friday, 8-5: $88.00/hour
• Trip Charge: $45.00 (Charged daily)
• After Hours/Weekend: $132.00/hour
• Parts, equipment, and tax are extra.
• Minimum Charge: $88.00 (1 hr) plus $45.00 (trip charge)= $133.00

There's a minimum charge of one hour plus trip charge on all jobs, thereafter work is charged in 15 minute increments.

All rates exclude the cost of materials and are subject to tax.

Charged to the closest 15 minutes.

Additional workers extra (also charged to the closest 15 minutes).

Trip Charge: Charged daily.

Hourly Rates: There's a minimum charge of one hour plus trip charge on all jobs, thereafter work is charged in 15 minute increments. All rates exclude the cost of materials and are subject to tax.

Extreme/Hazardous Conditions: $99.00/hour

Materials: Materials supplied by Ball Plumbing will be charged at our cost plus mark up.

Material Collection: Material collection labor cost for non-stock items will be kept to a minimum - any charge will be agreed with the customer in advance and not exceed $100.00 + tax.

Invoice: An invoice will always be produced clearly showing a full description of work carried out - time started/time finished, a full breakdown of the cost of labor and materials used.

Payment: Payment must be made in full by check, cash or credit card to the plumber upon receipt of invoice.

*Prices are subject to change without notice.

Other Charges

Hazard Pay: Before the job is started, the plumber may quote a higher rate due to extreme conditions. Company policy is to charge the overtime rate.

Estimate Charge: $55.00 (For standard estimates only. If the plumber has to crawl, dig, etc. hourly rates apply.)

Estimates are available from our plumbers on site. We are happy to make an appointment for a plumber to visit you. Estimates will incur a charge depending on the nature of the work, the area and the time of the appointment. If the plumber has to crawl, dig, etc. hourly rates apply.