Sparking outlets, no power, smelling smoke from the panel — electrical emergencies don't wait. Solo electricians and small shops handle 3-6 after-hours calls per week. Here's how to route them without sitting on your phone.
Categorize by urgency: true emergency (sparking, smoke, fire risk) → immediate dispatch to on-call tech; urgent (no power, GFCI tripping repeatedly) → 2-hour response; routine (light fixture, outlet replacement) → next business day. Pair with clear after-hours surcharge pricing so customers self-select.
2-tech shop: alternate weeks. Solo electrician: yourself + a partner shop with reciprocal coverage.
Document the rotation. Update the routing system before each rotation cycle so the right tech gets dispatched.
Standard electrical after-hours: $150-$250 dispatch + $40-80/hr premium. Display in the routing form before customer commits.
Customers who balk at the surcharge usually don't have a true emergency. Route to morning.
For sparking/smoke calls, the routing system should also include 'turn off the breaker if you can' and 'leave the structure if you smell smoke' instructions before the tap-to-call.
These are basic but they protect customers (and you, by extension, from liability) while the tech is en route.
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