How much do you charge for repairs i.e labour rates for electric / mechanical repairs - anonymous?

Question

This is a general question to anyone who works in or employ's people in the electrical / mechanical repair industry within the UK.

We are a small independant electrical mechanical engineering company that specialises in the repair of power transmission products, pumps, motors, gearboxes etc and also carry out mechanical repairs in our in-house mahcine shop.

I am trying to get an overall view of what the average hourly labour charge is for these services. This is totally anonymous but if anyone does reply could they indicate the size / spec / location of their company.

We currently charge between 37 and 44 pounds per hour for our services.

Please be honest.

Answer 1

I am employer of sub contract lift engineers (Mr Stewart perhaps you should touch, your email address) and we work on a basis of LEIA daywork rates, does your industry have a trade association

You need to work all your overheads out, work out your man hours per year, based on 40 hours per week per man and add a suitable margin in for your labour.

You must also realise the market value of your skills as well, when working out your margin. If your change 13 amp plugs then your market value is low, if you make gold widgets that only you and Gold Widgets Inc. make then you market value goes up.

Take a look at www.sell2wales.co.uk this will give an idea on tendering for contracts and how to mark up labour appropriately.

Its a bit of minefield setting labour rates as you never really know if your to high or too low,

Of course you could cheat and ask for quote from a similar company and see what there labour rate is, but this is a bit unethical.

Answer 2

if the employee is paid £10per/hr x 3 = shop rate.
set a large map on the wall, draw circles opening outward from the centrepoint which is your shop, every 10miles up to 50miles. In the circles label as A,B,C,D,E. over 50miles is £28.50.
A=SHOP RATE, B=SHOP RATE+£2=£32PER/HR,
C=SHOP RATE+4=£34PER/HR, D=S/R+6=£36PER/HR
E=S/R+8=£38PER/HR, over 50 miles instant £28.50+rate C. I use this basic principle its easy to use and anyone can price for work in your absence. I do think your rate is to high but i price probably longer works than yourself.

Answer 3

I'm a self employed lift engineer, i charge £40 an hour..

Answer 4

At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask, No wonder people try to do it themselves.