Plumbing
Plumbing Emergency Call Profit Calculator
Work out what an out of hours call actually returns once premium labour and the disruption are counted.
Result
Overtime labour cost should be the real overtime rate, not the day rate. Understating it is the most common reason after-hours work looks more profitable than it is.
See AI receptionistWhat moves the number
- Overtime labour cost, which applies to a burdened rate rather than a wage.
- Parts availability, since suppliers are closed and stock decides whether the job completes.
- Whether the next day is affected by the call-out.
Where this one goes wrong
Charging a premium on the invoice and paying a premium on the labour without checking the two match. Emergency work can look lucrative and return less than daytime work once the overtime multiplier is applied.
Questions
About this calculator
Should emergency rates be published?
Stating them when the customer calls is better than surprising them on the invoice. People calling at 2am generally accept a premium; they object to discovering one.
Is emergency work profitable?
It can be, but only if the premium charged exceeds the premium paid plus the cost of disruption. It is worth costing rather than assuming.
What makes an emergency call fail?
Not having the part. Suppliers are closed, so van stock decides whether the visit resolves the problem or becomes a temporary fix plus a return trip.
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How to use this calculator
- Call-out fee ($). Enter your own figure; the page starts at $150.
- Hours on the job (hrs). Include travel both ways.
- Emergency hourly rate ($). Enter your own figure; the page starts at $195.
- Parts sold ($). Enter your own figure; the page starts at $220.
- Parts cost to you ($). Enter your own figure; the page starts at $95.
- Plumber cost per hour (overtime, burdened) ($). Enter your own figure; the page starts at $62.
The result updates as you type, so you can try a figure, see what it does to profit on the call, and change it back. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or saved.
A worked example
These are the figures the calculator opens with. Every number in the results column below is produced by the same calculation the page runs, so you can follow it through before putting your own figures in.
What goes in
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Call-out fee | $150 |
| Hours on the job | 2.5 hrs |
| Emergency hourly rate | $195 |
| Parts sold | $220 |
| Parts cost to you | $95 |
| Plumber cost per hour (overtime, burdened) | $62 |
| Overhead per hour | $34 |
What comes out
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Profit on the call main result | $522.50 |
| Total invoice | $857.50 |
| Margin | 60.9% |
| Profit per hour | $209 |
This emergency call returns $522.50 on a $857.50 invoice, $209 per hour at a 60.9% margin.
How sensitive the answer is
Holding everything else steady and changing only call-out fee, this is what happens to profit on the call. It is worth knowing which of your inputs the answer actually hinges on, and which barely move it.
| Call-out fee ($) | Profit on the call |
|---|---|
| $75 | $447.50 |
| $113 | $485.50 |
| $150 example above | $522.50 |
| $225 | $597.50 |
| $300 | $672.50 |
Every other input is held at the example value while this one changes, which is not how a real job behaves. Treat it as a guide to which number matters most, not as five separate quotes.
What each figure means
- Call-out fee ($)
- A money amount, starting at $150.
- Hours on the job (hrs)
- Include travel both ways.
- Emergency hourly rate ($)
- A money amount, starting at $195.
- Parts sold ($)
- A money amount, starting at $220.
- Parts cost to you ($)
- A money amount, starting at $95.
- Plumber cost per hour (overtime, burdened) ($)
- A money amount, starting at $62.
- Overhead per hour ($)
- A money amount, starting at $34.
What the results tell you
| Result | What it is |
|---|---|
| Profit on the call | The headline result. A money figure. |
| Total invoice | A money figure. |
| Margin | A percentage. |
| Profit per hour | A money figure. |
Before you rely on this number
Pipe sizing, flow and pressure figures depend on the actual fittings, the run, the material and local code. Code requirements vary by jurisdiction and override any general calculation, so check what applies where the work is happening.
Keep going
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