There is No Such Thing as a $0 Callout Fee
There is no such thing as a $0 callout fee plumber. It’s a marketing gimmick and I’ll happily die on this hill!
We’ve all seen the ads, they usually sit at the very top of a google search results page;
$0 callout fee
$50 off your first service
Join our Membership Program for huge discounts!
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it often is. Choice had an article about this a few years ago you can read here – The Truth about Tradie Callout Fees.
At first glance, the offer seems like a win for the customer. A plumber comes to your home, checks out the problem, and you pay nothing until you’re ready to proceed. But here’s the catch; there’s no such thing as free in plumbing. Somewhere along the line, you’ll be paying for that callout, it just might be hiding under another name.
So, let’s unpack why the $0 callout is more marketing gimmick than genuine generosity.
- The Costs Are ALWAYS Built in Somewhere
Plumbers have a lot of expenses; vehicles, fuel, insurance, licensing, training, tools, warehouse rent and wages just to name a few. I go into more detail about a plumbing business’s overheads here – Why are Plumbers In Melbourne so Expensive?. If someone’s advertising $0 callouts, they’re likely building the cost into:
- Higher hourly rates
- Inflated parts and materials prices
- Minimum job charges
- A forced upsell culture
The work you actually need done might cost more because the callout cost has been tucked away elsewhere.
- Free Plumbing Diagnosis? Not Really.
Most customers hear $0 callout and assume it means free diagnosis too. But diagnosing plumbing issues takes time, skill, and often specialist tools. A plumber offering $0 callouts might give you the bare minimum upfront, then hit you with a pricey ‘solution’ before they lift a spanner.
Some $0 callout fee plumbers however get their foot in the door with the free callout, then they say they can’t proceed without charging for a diagnosis. Others send sales representatives to diagnose and then add on other items to the quote such as advising the need for a new hot water system when the client only needed a new mixer tap.
- It Can Pressure You Into Saying Yes
Here’s another trick; after a ‘free’ callout, you might feel awkward saying no to the quote, even if it seems expensive. It’s a classic sales tactic; give something away upfront so you feel obligated to proceed. Other customers may feel more annoyed than awkward, but due to time constraints in finding a new plumber continue with the works as ‘they might as well, they are already here’.
- Transparent Pricing is Better for Everyone
At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we believe honesty beats sales gimmicks every time. We charge a fair investigation fee, covering both travel costs as well as the first 30 minutes of every job, because it covers the genuine cost of getting a qualified, insured, and professional plumber to your door. We’re upfront about our pricing so you know exactly what you’re paying for:
- Skilled tradespeople; We are fully licensed and insured plumbers and are members of the Master Plumbers Association.
- Quality materials; we only use Australian Watermarked plumbing products and the latest in diagnostic equipment and drain clearing technologies.
- A job done properly, the first time; we value repeat clients rather than the ‘churn and burn’ model of many $0 call out plumbers. If we make a mistake, we own it and go back and rectify it to ensure our clients are happy.
No tricks. No surprises. Just transparent, professional plumbing services.
Is a $0 Callout Fee Plumber Just a Marketing Gimmick?
A $0 callout fee might sound appealing, but in most cases, you’ll pay for it somewhere else, often in ways you can’t see upfront. Instead, choose a plumber who values your time, respects your budget, and offers clear, honest pricing from the start.
Sometimes, the best deals are the ones with nothing to hide.
Call McCarthy Plumbing Group today on 03 9931 0905.