A fee for a tradesperson coming to you, charged before any work starts. Some cover the first hour; most are never written down. 117 of 179 UK emergency plumber websites published no call-out price at all.
The number: Emergency plumber call-out prices.
What it means in practice
The mistake is assuming the price will be reasonable because the firm looks local and the reviews look good. A call-out fee, an hourly rate and a first-hour price are three different things, and the published ones mix all three.
The move is to agree four things on the phone before anyone travels: the attendance fee, the rate and what it covers, the billing unit after the first hour, and whether all of it includes VAT.
Whito stage: Start. If you run a trade, a four-line emergency tariff on your own site is an afternoon’s work and puts you in a small minority.
The numbers to hold onto
- 113 of 135 emergency electrician websites published no call-out price at all, the quietest of the three trades. Emergency electrician call-out prices.
- Only 24 of 179 plumber websites published a figure in pounds, from £50 to £190 across differing units. Emergency plumber call-out prices.
- 27 of 139 locksmith websites published a figure in pounds, from £39 to £100 for an emergency lockout or attendance. Emergency locksmith call-out prices.
Where to go next
Related: No call-out charge, Boiler service, Price transparency