Small jobs keep clients happy and fill gaps in the schedule, but they quietly lose money when they are priced by the hour of work instead of the time they really take.
In this article
The real cost of a truck roll
Loading the truck, driving, a stop at the supply house, setup and cleanup can take longer than the work itself.
Set a minimum
Decide the smallest amount you will show up for and say it on the first call. Clients accept it when they hear it early.
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Half-day and full-day rates
Selling time blocks instead of hours lets the client add tasks and keeps your crew productive.
Bundle small tasks
Suggest a list: the door that sticks, the loose railing and the drywall patch in one visit.
Keep small jobs for good clients
Small work for past clients and property managers brings the big projects later.
Say it in writing
Put the minimum and the rate in the estimate so there is no surprise on the invoice.
Common mistakes
Charging only the hours on site, driving across town for a one-hour task and not charging the second trip for missing parts.
Run tighter jobs and win the right ones.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a fair minimum charge for a contractor?
There is no single number. Add the drive, loading, the supply run, setup and cleanup to the shortest job you take, then price that as your minimum. Many contractors set it at a half day.