Electricians get this question quite a bit.  It's easy to answer as a small business owner.  But it can sometimes be difficult to understand as a home owner.  It all boils down to the cost of operating a sucessful business that is poised for long term growth and stability. I think if home owners had a better understanding of what it takes to become an electrical contractor they would think they were getting the deal of a lifetime!

What does the trip fee or dispatch fee pay for?

For the homeowner it brings a state licensed electrician to their home along with a fully stocked mobile warehouse to their door to repair an electrical problem. Within that mobile warehouse you will find a complete set of electrical tools, ladders, and parts all especially stocked to make your repair efficient and safe.

That may not sound like a lot-but here is what the average homeowner doesn't consider:

As an electrical contractor operating in the State of Texas we are required to be licensed by the state. To obtain an electrical contractors license you must have a master electrician on staff.  The master electrician is required to maintain a license as well as the contractors license.  The licenses are not free and they come with requirements themselves.  The largest requirements is that of general liability insurance. On top of the state license you have the city licenses. Each city that an electrical contractor does work in, usually requires an individual city electrical license.

To send an electrician to your home here are the bare minimum requirements that must be met:

• State contractors license
• State electricians license
• City contractors license
• General liability insurance
• A vehicle (with insurance)
• Tools
• Electrical parts and supplies
• A support staff to answer the phones, do paperwork, and manage schedules

I'm sure this is more, I'm just trying to give a basic understanding of some of the costs involved.

So the next time you think twice about shoppping around because your electrician wants to charge you a small dispatch fee you might want to stop and think, this is a reputable company who will be here when I need them.

I might remind you of the alternative

There are companies that do not charge a trip fee. But in the end they will get their money by charging more for the repair.  If they don't they will not be  in business very long.

The next time you call a contractor and ask what their trip charge is- stop and think of all the costs that are involved in doing business and then ask yourself if you want to deal with a reputable electrician or some jake-leg who won't be there when you need him.

This article is written by Kathy Bankston, owner of ProLectric, LLC.  Prolectric is an electrical contractor serving the Houston-Galveston-Texas area.

 Here is an article you might find interesting:

» Not so 'shocking' ways to be safe – Here at Western working with high-voltage electricity is just part of the job. Our employees who work on the 500-kV transmission lines, in the substations and in the switch yards take care every day to protect themselves, their co-workers and the public from electrical hazards. It's not surprising that most of the electrical issues our crews face in the field, many people also find at a lower voltage in and around their homes and neighborhoods.