It's 8pm on a Sunday, something's broken, and you need help. What will it cost? Emergency callout rates vary wildly - here's how to understand what you're paying for.
Standard vs Emergency Rates
My Normal Rates (For Reference)
| Time Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Weekdays 8am-5pm | £60 first hour, £50/hour after |
| Minimum charge | £60 |
Emergency/Out-of-Hours
| Time Period | Typical Rate |
|---|---|
| Evenings (5pm-8pm) | £75-90 first hour |
| Weekends | £80-100 first hour |
| Late night (after 8pm) | £100-150 first hour |
| Bank holidays | £100-150+ first hour |
Why Emergency Rates Are Higher
It's Not Greed
Opportunity cost: That evening/weekend slot was personal time, family time, or already booked.
Disruption: Dropping everything, getting tools ready, driving across Exeter - all takes effort.
Preparation: Having tools and vehicle ready for emergencies has ongoing costs.
Availability: Being available for emergencies means not committing to other things.
What's Fair
A 50-100% premium for out-of-hours is typical and reasonable. Triple rates or higher is excessive.
What Counts as Emergency?
Genuine Emergencies
Call now:
- Water pouring into the house
- No heating in cold weather (vulnerable person)
- Security issue (broken door/window)
- Gas smell (call National Grid first: 0800 111 999)
- Electricity issue (call your supplier)
Urgent But Not Emergency
Can probably wait until morning:
- Toilet blocked (if you have another toilet)
- Tap dripping
- Door handle broken (door still closes)
- Appliance not working
Not Emergency
Wait for normal hours:
- Squeaky door
- Picture needs hanging
- Flat pack assembly
- Non-urgent repairs
The Honest Question
"Will this be worse if I wait 12 hours?"
If yes: call If no: wait and save money
Avoiding Emergency Costs
Prevention
Most "emergencies" could have been prevented:
Regular maintenance:
- Know where your stopcock is (and check it works)
- Service boiler annually
- Check locks and latches
- Fix small problems before they're big
Preparation:
- Basic toolkit
- Plumber's tape
- Spare fuses
- Torches with batteries
- Emergency numbers saved
Temporary Fixes
Leaking pipe: Turn off water at stopcock. Call a plumber in the morning.
Blocked toilet: Use a plunger. Wait until morning if unsuccessful.
Broken window: Board up temporarily. Get it fixed properly tomorrow.
Door won't lock: Secure another way temporarily. Non-emergency if house is otherwise secure.
Finding Emergency Help
Good Options
Local handyman (me or similar):
- Fair rates
- Personal service
- Limited availability (we're people too)
Trusted tradespeople:
- If you have a plumber/electrician you've used before
- They're more likely to help regular customers
Risky Options
Random Google results:
- Prices vary enormously
- Quality unpredictable
- Some actively target vulnerable situations
National emergency services:
- Often expensive (up to £300 callout)
- May send someone unfamiliar with Exeter
- Not always faster
Avoid
Numbers on fridge magnets left in letterbox:
- Often national franchises with high prices
- Subcontractors may vary in quality
- High-pressure sales of unnecessary work
Getting a Fair Price
Before They Arrive
Ask:
- What's your callout charge?
- Is the first hour included?
- What's the hourly rate after that?
- Roughly how long might this take?
Get it in writing (text or email) if possible.
Red Flags
- Won't give any estimate
- Dramatically higher once they arrive
- Pressure to do extra work
- Cash only, no receipt
Reasonable Expectations
| Element | Fair | Excessive |
|---|---|---|
| Evening callout | £75-100 | £150+ |
| Per hour after | £50-75 | £100+ |
| Materials markup | Cost +20% | Cost +100% |
| Minimum charge | 1 hour | 2+ hours |
My Emergency Service
What I Offer
- Evening availability (when possible)
- Weekend availability (when possible)
- Clear pricing before I arrive
- No pressure for unnecessary work
- Honest about what needs doing now vs later
What I Don't Do
- Late night (after 9pm)
- Gas work (call a Gas Safe engineer)
- Major electrical (call an electrician)
- Guarantee availability (I'm one person)
How It Works
- You call with the problem
- I tell you if I can help
- I give you a price estimate
- You decide if that works
- If yes, I come as soon as practical
Building an Emergency List
Numbers to Have
Utilities:
- National Grid (gas): 0800 111 999
- Electricity supplier emergency line
- Water company leak line
Trades:
- Plumber you trust
- Electrician you trust
- Handyman (that's me)
- Locksmith
Other:
- Landlord/managing agent (if renting)
- Home insurance claims line
- Trusted neighbour
Keep It Accessible
Store numbers where you can find them without electricity (paper or phone both work, but phone might be dead).
Got a genuine emergency? I help where I can, with fair and transparent pricing. Call 01392 964094 - if I can't help, I'll say so honestly.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.