Is this a bit of a stitch-up

[Russ9411]

I want same electrical work done, it's not new works just replacement as in I don't want single light pendants in my hallways I want downlighters,a couple surface mounted cables buried and surface mounted sockets moved down and sunk in the wall. The fella is telling me that I need a new whole new fuse box because that's the new regs. I didn't think downlighters had to be RCD protected. This is a picture of my box and I believe that it doesn't need replacing.

 

[AJshep]

Another think to consider, if you buy the parts yourself and something goes faulty would you expect the electrician to come back and replace/swap these for free ?
Im happy to come out and replace something I've supplied and I always make clear to the customer.

The main issues I have with Screwfix type outlets and similar is their range. They buy thousands of stock at once so the prices are low.
We have had people buy a load of decorative plates only to find they can get a intermediate switch or SFS it then becomes the electrician issue when the customer asks you to spend your time trying to find something to match up.
People generally think a chrome socket cost £7:50 because that what Screwfix sales them at, but in reality they are double that at least.
Not necessary the customers fault but worth noting it's not always cost effective.

 

[Russ9411]

What do you think you will achieve by getting the parts yourself?

If people do this to me I increase my hourly rate.

I didn't say I'd be getting the parts myself until after he'd sent his quote.
What happened was he said he'd email a quote by a certain day, it was,in my mind late in coming so I emailed saying that I'd be getting the lights as I've already the sockets and switches. ( I bought a lot of Chrome ones a couple of years back from screwfix when they were getting rid of end of line things ) he then said he'd knock £ 200 of off the quote. I then checked my spam folder and he'd had sent it when he said he would.
I feel though as if the main point is being omitted, the main point is that do I need a new fuseboard or is he trying it on by stating that I do need one because the new regs say that I do. As I've state,d wrongly or rightly ,I didn't think that downlighters needed RCD protection.
If I have to pay £200 for decent and safe materials I'll pay it.
I can't work out £1690 for two days work when surely a new fuseboard with the testing of the house afterwards would be the best part of a day.

 

[Octopus]

I can't work out £1690 for two days work when surely a new fuseboard with the testing of the house afterwards would be the best part of a day.

Installing 14 downlights, a new CU with all the testing is more than 2 days IMHO

Get 2 more quotes ......

 

[jackhammerJIM]

Seems a bit excessive.

View attachment 39476

Assuming the contractor is supplying decent led down lights the quoted prices are very reasonable

 

[Doomed]

Any wiring he deals with that is chased in will now need RCD protection.
The lighting circuit is not RCD protected.
Due to its age you probably can't get a RCBO to fit your board, so rather then having a second enclosure like the thing to the right of your existing board it would be neater to fit a new board that would incorporate all the electrics in your picture and also comply with other regulation changes.
I'm not saying we would quote on a new board, but I can see where he is coming from. (we would explain the above and let the client choose).

 

[streamer]

I feel though as if the main point is being omitted, the main point is that do I need a new fuseboard or is he trying it on by stating that I do need one because the new regs say that I do. As I've state,d wrongly or rightly ,I didn't think that downlighters needed RCD protection.

Post #3, #24 and #38 explain why he might want to change the consumer unit. You are having more work done than just the downlighters. If he chases the lighting cables into the wall, as stated in the quote, then they have to be protected by an RCD and the easiest way to achieve this is to change the consumer unit.

 

[westward10]

Any wiring he deals with that is chased in will now need RCD protection.
The lighting circuit is not RCD protected.
Due to its age you probably can't get a RCBO to fit your board, so rather then having a second enclosure like the thing to the right of your existing board it would be neater to fit a new board that would incorporate all the electrics in your picture and also comply with other regulation changes.
I'm not saying we would quote on a new board, but I can see where he is coming from. (we would explain the above and let the client choose).

There has never been an rcbo to fit that board.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I understand I certainly don't have to accept it but as I said he was recommended and his checkatrade is 9.99 % out of 94 reviews.

Have a mate who is a plumber, he gets friends to post pretend jobs on the checkatrade type sites, he then gets shortlisted and pays his few pounds, friend pretends to give him the job and then leaves prepared feedback. I dont like his method as there are other plumbers paying lead fees too with no chance of getting the fake job. the ratings and feedback are not what they appear on them sites.

 

[The Ghost]

Maybe it's like you have an old Austin car and you want a turbo charged engine put in it. Maybe the mechanic says yes I can do that but you will have to upgrade your braking system and suspension to cope with the demands that the new system will put upon your old car. Do you trust him? or do you think he is just trying to make money out of you? Ok thats a slight exaggeration in order to illustrate a point.

 

[The Ghost]

Regards your point about downlighters have to have RCD protection the answer is no. And has it been pointed out by @westward10 they already seem to be protected by RCD so again no. If that is the justification then it is invalid.

 

[Des 56]

If the job was down my way,the price would be less than half of your stated cost,but I live in a poor area where there is an abundance of tradesmen competing for work

In richer areas such as yours, the price will firstly reflect the cost of living and typical earnings for that locality, it will also reflect the availability of tradesmen where you live

In the end a price is what the tradesman thinks it is all worth
The customer has two choices,accept or decline,it really is that simple

If you don't think its value for money don't engage him
Trying to get a consensus about prices on a forum from people in often very different circumstances is useless at best and utter folly at worst

 

[streamer]

Regards your point about downlighters have to have RCD protection the answer is no. And has it been pointed out by @westward10 they already seem to be protected by RCD so again no. If that is the justification then it is invalid.

There is other work on the quote involving chasing lighting cables into the walls, not just the downlighters. And from looking at the consumer unit in the picture there are two 6 amp mcbs not protected by the RCD. Presumably they are for the lighting circuits. I can't see where Westward10 suggested they were protected by the RCD.

 

[westward10]

I think this has got a bit confused, my original #3 assumed the cables to be buried were for the lighting so unless earthed containment was employed then additional rcd protection is required. In #26 the OP says the cables being buried are for the sockets and from the pic the socket circuits would appear to have additional rcd protection hence #27.

 

[AJshep]

I think its reasonable, I not going to pick holes in the guys quote I assume he a professional. I would probably explain my reasons but still quote for a DB upgrade.
If the customer gives me the impression that they want a cheap, quick job I would probably stick an extra £100 on too, just because in from experience these people make the job harder.
Wouldn't be too fussed if I got the job or not.

 

[willy fixit]

One of you old experienced gentlemen will have to explain what a rawlplug jumper is.

It's one of these!