You’re not a charity - charge for warranty callbacks! | 69

Sick of eating costs for every warranty job for your electrical work?

 In this episode, I talk  when to charge and when to wear it - and how to make warranty work profitable. Whether you're a sparkie or any hands-on tradie, this will change the way you handle call-backs. 

Tune in from the streets of Japan, ASMR and all.

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Transcript

Ride the rollercoaster down Space Mountain with Walt Disney. Welcome to Simplified Sparky Marketing.

This week’s podcast is a bit different. I’m coming to you from Japan—outdoors, using different gear—so enjoy the ASMR: birds, bikes, traffic. Just a little taste of Kyoto.

This week’s topic: warranty work—and more specifically, charging for it. This came up after I spotted a warranty job come through my inbox, which my VA booked in. Nothing major. But it triggered a thought.

For years, I never charged for warranty. But recently, I’ve started adding a service fee for certain call-backs—and here’s why.

Let’s split it.

• If you’ve stuffed up—let’s say you installed a weatherproof PowerPoint, and it’s now full of water because you didn’t seal it right—you wear that. No charge to the client. Your mistake.
• But if you did the job properly and the product fails—say, the fitting just gave out after 12 months? That’s on the supplier, not on you. In that case, I’ll cover the product, but I’ll still charge a service fee. It’s business.

This mindset hit me when I messed up my blinds at home. Had to call the blind guy. He came out, but he charged a call-out. And I didn’t bat an eyelid. Fair’s fair.

And since I’ve implemented this—no kickback. Clients actually appreciate it. I tell them straight up: I’ll replace it under warranty, but I charge a minimal service fee for the visit.

Quick Tip: Always bring a replacement part with you. Swap the busted one, return it to the supplier, and get your credit. Easy.

Yes, yes—I know someone’s screaming “Just use Trader’s Edge/Tex!” Yes, I do. They’re brilliant. But not everything comes from Tex. If you’re fitting other gear—say, a Hager breaker—you still have to eat that time. That’s where a service fee makes sense.

Here’s where people take the piss.

I had a job recently where a client said the oyster light just “fell” out of the ceiling. Suspicious. Got there—it was hanging by the cable with bits of gyprock still attached. I asked if the kids were playing footy in the hallway? “Oh yeah! That’s right!” She remembered after.

So again—not your fault? Don’t feel bad charging.

Just be clear: set your warranty terms upfront. Not when the issue arises.

If the job was done right the first time, and the part fails, that’s life. You’re not a charity. If the client wants Rolls Royce service, they should expect to pay for it.

The whole point of this episode? Don’t write off your time. If your process is clear, you can recoup some cost and even run these warranty calls profitably.

Have a think: are you driving around doing free work under the badge of “warranty”? Or are you running a business?

Hope you enjoyed the Kyoto soundtrack. Please review the pod. Share it with any sparkies, fridgies, air con guys—if they swing a pair of pliers, they’re welcome.

And don’t forget—if you like the podcast, you’ll love the emails. There’s a free electrician’s email series in the link below. Grab it, and I’ll catch you back in Sydney.