Bank Holiday Callout Pricing: How Much to Charge in 2026
The 2x-3x multiplier math, how to justify premium rates, and what UK tradespeople actually charge for emergency callouts on bank holidays.
Your normal callout rate is £75. It's Easter Monday. A customer's boiler packed in at 7am. You quote £225 for the emergency visit.
They ask: "Why three times your normal rate?"
Here's what UK tradespeople actually charge on bank holidays—and how to justify premium rates without the pushback.
What UK Trades Actually Charge
Bank holiday multipliers by trade (2026 UK data):
| Trade | Standard Rate | Bank Holiday Rate | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency plumber | £80-120/hr | £200-300/hr | 2.5× |
| Electrician (fault finding) | £60-90/hr | £150-225/hr | 2.5× |
| HVAC emergency | £100-150/hr | £250-400/hr | 2.5-3× |
| Locksmith | £85-120 | £200-350 | 2.5-3× |
| Drain unblocking | £100-180 | £250-450 | 2.5× |
The pattern: Most UK trades charge 2.5× to 3× their standard emergency rate on bank holidays. Not just double. Not a small "inconvenience fee." A genuine premium that reflects the real cost.
The 2×-3× Multiplier Breakdown
Why the 2.5× premium isn't greed—it's basic math:
Bank Holiday Cost Reality
Your direct costs increase:
- Labour cost: You're working a day you'd otherwise have off (opportunity cost = family time, rest, planned activities)
- Parts premium: Suppliers closed = merchant run becomes B&Q at 20-40% markup
- Traffic: Bank holiday roadworks, diversions, closed routes add 30-50% to travel time
- No backup: Can't call your usual supplier, can't get a second opinion from your mentor, working solo
Customer expectations are higher:
- They want you there now (not "this afternoon")
- They expect the job finished same day (no "I'll come back Tuesday")
- They're stressed (boiler broke, family visiting, guests arriving)
- You're interrupting your own plans to rescue theirs
The real question isn't "Can I charge 3× my rate?" It's "Can I afford to work bank holidays at standard rates?"
Answer: No. Not if you want to stay in business and keep your sanity.
How to Justify Premium Rates (Without Sounding Defensive)
When a customer challenges your bank holiday rate, use this script:
Phone Script for Bank Holiday Pricing
Customer: "£225? That's three times your normal rate!"
You: "You're right, it's my bank holiday emergency rate. It covers a few things: I'm opening my diary on a day I'd normally have blocked out, parts suppliers are closed so I'm limited to what I have in stock or can source from retail, and because it's a bank holiday, I'm prioritising getting you sorted today rather than booking you in for next week. If you'd prefer to wait until Tuesday when I'm back to standard rates, I can put you in the diary—but most customers with [no heating/no power/flooded kitchen] prefer we sort it now."
Customer: "I just need someone to look at it..."
You: "The callout is £225, which includes the first hour. If it's a simple fix and I'm done in 20 minutes, you still pay £225 because I've blocked my bank holiday and traveled to you. If it takes longer or needs parts, I'll quote the additional cost before I proceed. Does that work?"
Key framing:
- Don't apologize for the rate
- Offer the alternative (wait until Tuesday at standard rate)
- Emphasize the today premium (speed, priority, sacrifice)
- Be clear about what the callout covers (first hour, diagnosis, travel)
Most customers pay. The ones who won't are the ones who'll argue about the final invoice anyway.
When to Waive the Holiday Rate (Strategic Exceptions)
Times when charging standard rate makes business sense:
| Scenario | Charge Bank Holiday Rate? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term contract customer (3+ years) | No | Loyalty discount = they call you first next time |
| Repeat customer (5+ jobs/year) | No | Lifetime value > single premium |
| Vulnerable customer (elderly, disabled, genuine hardship) | Maybe 1.5× instead of 3× | Goodwill + you can sleep at night |
| First-time customer, genuine emergency | Yes | Standard bank holiday rate applies |
| Customer shopping for quotes | Yes (and don't chase) | They'll pick cheapest, then complain |
| Job you caused/failed to fix last week | No (and no callout fee) | Your mistake = your cost |
The rule: Waive the premium for customers who already pay you £5K+ per year. Charge full rate to everyone else.
Preventing the Pricing Argument (Before They Call)
How to communicate bank holiday pricing without the awkward phone negotiation:
Why this works: The customer agrees to the rate before you show up. No awkward doorstep negotiation. No "I didn't know it would be this much."
What Counts as an "Emergency" (Drawing the Line)
Bank holiday premium applies to emergencies only. Here's how to define it:
Emergency = Health, Safety, or Habitability Risk
Genuine emergencies (charge bank holiday rate):
- No heating in winter (vulnerable occupants, freezing temps)
- No hot water (family with young kids, elderly resident)
- Electrical fault (sparking, burning smell, total power loss)
- Water leak (active flooding, ceiling dripping, burst pipe)
- Gas leak (smell of gas, suspected leak, safety issue)
- Locked out (no spare key, can't access property, security risk)
- Commercial down (shop can't trade, restaurant can't cook, hotel can't check in guests)
Not emergencies (offer Tuesday booking at standard rate):
- "The bathroom tap's been dripping for a month" (nuisance, not emergency)
- "Can you hang a shelf while you're here?" (convenience work)
- "The kitchen light doesn't work" (if other lights work, it can wait)
- "I want a quote for a new boiler" (sales call, not emergency)
- "Can you service my boiler this weekend?" (routine maintenance)
Script for non-emergency calls:
"That definitely needs sorting, but it's not a health-and-safety emergency, so I'd recommend waiting until [Tuesday] when I'm back to my standard rate. I can put you in the diary for first thing and you'll save £150 on the callout. Does that work?"
Why this matters: If you charge bank holiday rates for non-emergencies, customers remember. And they tell their friends. And you become "that guy who gouges on bank holidays."
The Verdict: Bank Holiday Pricing That Works
Charge 2.5× to 3× your standard emergency rate. No guilt.
Here's the system:
- 1. Communicate pricing upfront – Voicemail, website, verbal quote, SMS confirmation
- 2. Define "emergency" – Health/safety/habitability only; everything else waits until Tuesday
- 3. Offer the alternative – "I can do it today at £X or Tuesday at £Y"
- 4. Justify the premium – "Bank holiday, limited availability, same-day service, parts sourcing challenges"
- 5. Waive strategically – Long-term customers and repeat business get loyalty discounts
The customers who pay your bank holiday rate without complaint are the ones who value your time. The ones who argue are the ones who'll argue about every invoice—bank holiday or not.
Set your rate. Communicate it clearly. Stick to it. And enjoy the bank holiday you're sacrificing to rescue their boiler.