General Pricing / Help required

[jo4nny8]

Hi All

Im looking for a little bit of general guidance with regards to prices i should be paying for works.

Without giving to much detail, I run a bathroom and kitchen company and have used my current electrician for about 4 years on and off. This year hes had a lot of work off me (in excess of £5k i would think)

Im just slightly concerned by the (what i think) high prices im starting to be charge for work and wanted a little idea if you guys think its about right or way over the top.

If i give a few examples can you guys give me a rough idea of what you think is a reasonable price range??

Lets assume everything within the existing installation meets current regs, bs7671 etc (any remedial work required is priced by him and charged to the customer)

Bathroom.

Generally our bathrooms consist of:

Remove pendant light / similar light in centre of room,
Install 3 / 4 chrome downlights (i supply)
Install either 1 x shower light or 1 x wall mounted extractor (depending on which depends on amount of downlights)

So i supply lights and extractor
He supplies cable, spurs, backboxes, pull chord or light switch depending on what is currently installed - general consumables really

Any ideas on a rough guide price??

Kitchens.

Slightly more involved really but i will give a general perception.

Change 5 x double sockets (straight swop)
Install feed for chimney style extractor
Install feed for oven, and hob (13a double plug)
Install feed for dishwasher
Install feed for washing machine
Install feed for tumble drier.

With regards to the above they are normally there and so it is merely extending cables and moving sockets into cupboards etc (were not talking about installing new rings mains etc)

Install 6 x under counter lights (i supply and install these he does electrical connection as the lights are 12v with a transformer pre fitted etc)

He supplies cables etc and sockets.

Any idea of a rough sort of price??

Can people also advise on roughly what percentage of installations they go to that require remedial work to bring up to current standards? For some reason i am finding every single job we does has to have some sort of rememdial work - ranging from bonding on gas and water being increased from 4-6mm -10mm, to full consumer unit changes as theyre still using rewirable fuses etc)

Now whilst im reasonally technical, when you start talking about technical things i get lost and i dont want to be either getting screwed, but also dont want my customers thinking were ripping them off if work is being done that doesnt need to be.

Can anyone help me out?

 

[ruston]

Im supplying / the customer is supplying.

He has to supply cable, clips etc plus fused spurs / pull chords etc.

All sockets and downlughts, plinth lights etc i supply

Yes I understood that Bit from your previous post. It was the extra for the fan that threw me . The consumer board additions and work are about right unless it is really easy. The rest without seeing the job I don't think is robbery. Kitchen may be a bit high but perhaps is a real pig.

 

[Paul.M]

Install eight recessed spot lights.
Install plinth lights.
Install under counter lights.
Ensure there is a power supply for the extract hood, oven, hob, dishwasher and washer.
Change all sockets etc to polished chrome.
Total £660 inc VAT.



I've done almost the same install a few months ago and my price was £700. Saying that I did install a new ring and a radial socket circuits but the kitchen was ripped out and very easy access under the floor, a very easy first fix and my price reflected that. (West Yorkshire BTW)

 

[jo4nny8]

Thanks guys, that put my mind at rest!

 

[plugsandsparks]

I would say he is making a reasonable living so must be happy working with you.
Only thing i would question is the water bonding, if plastic coming into the building, other cheaper arrangements may be OK, cue debate....

As mentioned , there is nothing there that is not reducing risk to people and property.
My last fitting of an extractor i lost money on as the building was a pain, 17 inches thick and no cavity and struck gold with old wiring and pipe to navigate.
He has to take the rough with the smooth also.

 

[Octopus]

The question you should think about is that if you are happy with his workmanship, his time keeping, his quality and lastly his pricing why would you change?

I'm guessing he does all the required certificates and notification in the prices you outline.

 

[jo4nny8]

Yes very happy.

I was concerned as the prices are creeping up and every job has rememdial work.

Not being a spark i wanted to check i wasnt getting done over as it happens even if he is a mate.

Turns out all is well from the sounds of it

 

[ruston]

Yes very happy.

I was concerned as the prices are creeping up and every job has rememdial work.

Not being a spark i wanted to check i wasnt getting done over as it happens even if he is a mate.

Turns out all is well from the sounds of it

Can't blame you for that mate but a trip to the pumps and a bit of copper is an indication of what's what. Even a humble roll of tape has nearly doubled in the last couple of years. You know what the man said "We will all feel the pinch".

 

[Octopus]

Yes very happy.

I was concerned as the prices are creeping up and every job has rememdial work.

Not being a spark i wanted to check i wasnt getting done over as it happens even if he is a mate.

Turns out all is well from the sounds of it

Interesting - are you saying he has to come back and fix "his" work or he identifies mandatory upgrades that are required prior to being able to do the work? If its the later he sounds like a bod who's doing it by the "book" and not cutting corners and thus is a asset to your business.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Making a huge leap of an assumption but i would expect people who want a new kitchen or bathroom , it is because theres is very old and needs replacement. As 17th is relatively recent and RCDs are much more prominent, for lighting especially, it could well be that EVERY job does need an upgrade to CU and earhting.
You probably need to build that into your mind so dont think its a scam - its not.

 

[ruston]

Making a huge leap of an assumption but i would expect people who want a new kitchen or bathroom , it is because theres is very old and needs replacement. As 17th is relatively recent and RCDs are much more prominent, for lighting especially, it could well be that EVERY job does need an upgrade to CU and earhting.
You probably need to build that into your mind so dont think its a scam - its not.

Good point , you will know the general age of the installations you are replacing.

 

[sythai]

Making a huge leap of an assumption but i would expect people who want a new kitchen or bathroom , it is because theres is very old and needs replacement. As 17th is relatively recent and RCDs are much more prominent, for lighting especially, it could well be that EVERY job does need an upgrade to CU and earhting.
You probably need to build that into your mind so dont think its a scam - its not.

That is a fair comment.....

I would say at least 75% of kitchen and bathroom refurbs we carry out have some form of remedial works involved.

Most common being no RCD protection.

 

[1shortcircuit]

May I ask:-

What is the quality of this guys work?

Do you get any complaints regarding how he conducts his business in your customers home?

Do the customers complain about the price?

If everyone is happy then I would say stick with him but perhaps mention that it may be worth you both sitting down together and seeing if you can come up with a better pricing structure.

The rates you have posted seem very fair especially as there isn't really such thing as a half days work.

A good electrician is very hard to come by these days and whilst someone may be cheaper they may also reflect badly on your business through either call backs or general attitude towards your customer.

Perhaps you're feeling that because you are giving this chap quite an amount of work you feel he should be rewarding you back in some way?

If you're happy with him then stick with him. If he doesn't turn up on time or when he says and his work can be sloppy at times then perhaps look elsewhere but I'm pretty sure regardless of who you use the price will not be too different.

:thumbsup

 

[Amp David]

When installing a wall mounted fan, is the hole already there? If not who's coring it out? Have you seen the price of a 4 inch core bit?

Same with down lights, they're time intensive if you have to plan out in an existing ceiling to get then looking right.

Problem with going into properties that haven't been touched in years, there almost going to be remedials to complete. Its just the way it is.

I do work for bathroom guys and its a daily moan, them saying its too much etc etc. TBH once the works been completed and i go back to finish of, on most occasions i look at the bathroom and think christ almighty, if this lasts 5 years without falling apart/leaking then the customers lucky.

From my experience, its the bathroom fitter under quoting to get the work, who then throws in a new bathroom, then when they see how much I quote to do the job properly, to regs with nothing that can be pulled or criticised, they often think i'm over charging.

 

[jo4nny8]

Many thanks for all the replies guys!

To be honest he is great! Whilst he has the usual time issues like being late due to running over in another job, his work is very good.

I've never had a customer moan about anything, only the odd comment about the price and yes, people have mentioned about feeling like they 'have' to have remedial work done and they don't know if it's a legal requirement or a 'safety issue'

After reading your comments I'm happy that all is well and he's a good un' so will just have to stomach the fact that electrics are wgat I consider to be expensive and reflect that in my pricing on electrics.

Many thanks guys!!

 

[Octopus]

Many thanks for all the replies guys!

To be honest he is great! Whilst he has the usual time issues like being late due to running over in another job, his work is very good.

I've never had a customer moan about anything, only the odd comment about the price and yes, people have mentioned about feeling like they 'have' to have remedial work done and they don't know if it's a legal requirement or a 'safety issue'

After reading your comments I'm happy that all is well and he's a good un' so will just have to stomach the fact that electrics are wgat I consider to be expensive and reflect that in my pricing on electrics.

Many thanks guys!!

The "extras" we have to quote Joe Public for are often "embarassing" as many do think we are trying it on. There is a very good leflets by the ESC which covers water and gas bonding which I often email to clients.

Shame the ESC nor the schemes do much marketing to raise public awareness, which would help us all!