"ET1742" wrote in message
news:r0%qg.5062$8U1.1752@trndny07...
Thanks for your response. I do understand what you are saying about what
it really costs to operate a business. The person who came out to do the
work was about 23-25 years old. My guess is that he gets paid a lot less
than $50 per hour since I doubt that he makes $100,000 a year. But I
picked $50 per hour just to be on the high side.

I have used plumbing companies in the past and they charged between $60
and $90 per hour plus parts, so when I heard $175 per hour it just struck
me as high.

I'll definitely check around in my area and maybe I'll find that $175 an
hour is not unusual.



Consider also that a given electrician may not actually be able to find 40
hours a week of work all year round. Or that a company cannot keep all of
its technicians on site all of the time.

It seems electricians cost a bit more than plumbers and the going rate in
San Jose is $100 for them.

$175 for the first two hours is high but acceptable. If he had to do lots
of work or wanted to charge that for an assistant too, then I would put the
brakes on. As long as he is not charging for travel at that rate it might
be OK also. If you live far from his office, he might build the transit and
setup time into the hourly on site rate. Consider what it costs to fill the
tank on a F250 or F350 work truck, it aint cheap.