Ball Plumbing Hourly Rates and Flat Rates

Ball Plumbing offers two ways to purchase our services and materials. The following is a general outline and doesn't include all the prices.  Prices are subject to change without notice.

For more information and a complete list, go here:  http://ballplumbing.net/services.html

The first is commonly referred to as "Time and Material" (TM), which means being charged for the time actually spent working on your job. There are some things to remember about T&M:

1. At Ball Plumbing, we can show you the ballpark price using out Flat Rate book, so you won't get Invoice Shock. 
2. Service Charge: Instead of a Travel Charge, we charge $45.00 (per day) to cover travel. This charge started in 2010 to cover the high cost of fuel and oil. If the prices go down, this charge will be gone.
3. Hourly Rates: We round off to the nearest 1/4 hour. Time begins when we knock on the door and ends when we hand you the invoice. We currently charge $88.00 an hour.
4. 4. Estimates: Ball Plumbing charges for estimates. Simple estimates start at $55.00.
5. Material Collection: If we have to get parts for your job, it's usually on the clock. Exceptions are made for parts we usually have on the truck. 
6. Equipment Charges: We charge an usage rate for all equipment. Range is $5.00-$45.00.
7. Materials: We mark-up all parts on a sliding scale. Right now, it's approximately 50%-100% over our cost and our cost is very close to what you can get it at Wal-Mart.
8. Tax: Everything is taxable and adds a lot to the bill.
9. +Labor Rate: $88.00 per hour (charged to the closest 15 minutes); 
   +Service Charge: $45.00 Service Charge (local travel and truck charge);
   +$45.00 per hour per additional worker (charged to the closest 15 minutes);
   +Parts, equipment, and tax are extra.
   
   Minimum: 1 hour plus Service Charge: $133.00 ($88.00 per hour plus $45.00 Service Charge)

The second way to be charged is "Contract" or "Flat Rate". Flat Rate is the set price for the job, barring unseen problems that may increase the price. We have a price book that we can quote from for most jobs. We haven't raised prices since 2010.

1. Prices reflect the service charge, hourly rates, material collection, and equipment charges.
2. Taxes are not included.

Which is best for you? It all depends on how comfortable you feel with the plumbers' skills. If I were to hire me, I'd go hourly. If I hired someone not as honest or dependable as me, I'd go Flat Rate.

Price Complaints

Whenever I leave a job, you'll hear "If there are any problems, call me." My warranty is honest...as long as the problem is my workmanship.

Lately, I've had a complaint about the price. Most of the time, the price is out of the price book (that's 4 years old) and a written work order has been approved and signed.

Okay, standard stuff for repair work. You get a price for it that includes parts and labor (excludes the Gov's Fee). If it takes me twice as long, the price is the same, right? My regulars know this to be true and as a consumer, I personaly prefer it this way.

But what if everything goes quick and my 30 years (yikes) of repair experience finally pays off and I gain an hour on ya? Should I discount the price? If I discount it, should I increase it if it takes me twice as long?

This all stems from a complaint on Angies List about a 250.00 bill. I left a response similar to this post, but more direct. I did NOT refund any money for the same reasons I posted here.