wow, that's depressing. The plumber I called one time charge more than that.
Exactly.
Average rates per brief google search:
Plumber: $100/hr
Mechanic: $85/hr
HVAC service: $120/hr
Electrician: $65/hr
Handyman: $60/hr
Mobile welder: $100/hr
Engineering service: $125/hr
The rate for electrician was lower than I expected but it seems "skilled trades" service calls in general probably pull about $85/hr on average. I can't be anything but biased here, but I think that a Controls Tech/Eng is, or should be, about the highest of the "skilled trades," right around where the Engineering Services are listed above. The Place I used to work charged $136/hr (base; overtime: 1.5X, holiday:2X) for me to go on-site, from the time I left to the time I got back (I only got to keep $30 of that). That seems to me, to be about the high end of "reasonable." Now that I'm self employed, I charge somewhere closer to the low end of "reasonable;" $90/hr for field service. I have a 4hr minimum like most others here, but if this were my job, given the situation you described, I would probably waive the 4hr minimum and that would be my "concession" for the cash payment.
My service call would look like this:
Travel time: 1.5Hrs @ $95/hr = $142.5
Mileage: 40mi @ $1/mi: = $40
On-site time: 1hr @ $95/hr = $95
Total: $277.5 (£204)
The rate you charged was the very lowest of low. £120 for 2.5hrs work of billable time is $53(£48)/hr. That's less than ANY of the rates in my list above. I assume rates are the same (or more) on your side of the pond.
I think this guy would have balked at
any price you charged him. Just don't go back there. Unless you're desperate.