Why Emergency Work Is Worth Chasing
Emergency callouts are the best jobs you can get:
- Premium rates: 50-100% more than standard work
- Less price shopping: Customers need help NOW
- Faster decisions: No waiting for quote approvals
- Grateful customers: You're saving them from crisis
The tradies making $200k+ almost always do significant emergency work.
8 Ways to Capture More Emergency Jobs
1. Answer Your Phone (Obvious But Critical)
Emergency callers call the first number they find. If you don't answer, they call the next one. Within 5 minutes, someone else has the job.
Solution: 24/7 phone answering—personal or AI-assisted.
2. Advertise "Emergency" and "24/7"
Make it clear in all your marketing:
- Google My Business: Add "24/7" and "Emergency" to your business name/description
- Vehicle signage: "EMERGENCY CALLOUTS" prominently displayed
- Website: Emergency services page with clear phone number
- Google Ads: Bid on "emergency [trade] [location]" keywords
3. Price Emergencies Properly
Don't undersell emergency work:
- After 6pm weekdays: 50% premium
- Weekends: 75% premium
- Public holidays: 100% premium
Be upfront about pricing. Customers expect to pay more for urgent help.
4. Keep Your Ute Stocked for Common Emergencies
Know the most common emergency calls in your trade and carry parts for them:
- Plumbers: Toilet valves, flexi hoses, PRV valves
- Electricians: Circuit breakers, safety switches, GPOs
- HVAC: Capacitors, contactors, common filters
Fixing it on the spot = hero status.
5. Set Up "Emergency Only" Forwarding
Don't want 2am calls for dripping taps? Configure your answering system to:
- Transfer genuine emergencies to your phone
- Book non-urgent work for the next business day
You get woken for $500+ jobs, not $150 jobs that can wait.
6. Build Relationships with Property Managers
Property managers manage hundreds of properties. When tenants call with emergencies, managers call their trusted tradies first.
Introduce yourself to local property management offices. Offer reliable after-hours service.
7. Join Trade Directories That Feature Emergency Services
- Hipages (filter for emergency)
- ServiceSeeking
- Local Facebook groups (be the "emergency guy")
8. Follow Up Emergency Customers
Emergency customers are prime candidates for:
- Regular maintenance contracts
- Future non-emergency work
- Referrals ("They saved us when our hot water died")
Send a follow-up: "Hope everything's still working. Let us know if you need anything else!"
The Lifestyle Trade-Off
More emergency work means more after-hours availability. Decide what works for you:
- All-in: Available 24/7, maximum emergency revenue
- Selective: After-hours but with screening for genuine emergencies only
- Limited: Emergencies only during extended hours (e.g., 7am-9pm)
There's no wrong answer—just know what you're signing up for.
The Bottom Line
Emergency work is the most profitable work in trades. The tradies who capture it are the ones who answer phones, advertise availability, and price appropriately.
Set yourself up for emergency work and watch your revenue grow.