Is this price fair?

[cronshd]

Hi (this is my first post)

We are having a lot fo work done on our house which includes electrical work - which our main building contractor manages by pulling in the trades with the guys he works with on projects like this.

I am continually amazed at the cost of the electrics.

here is one example:

Supply, wire and fit 12LV downlights - £960 ecxcl VAT.

Is that about right?

I keep feeling I've been a bit naive because the electrics, including VAT is now >£14k - which seems a massive amount - and that excludes some of the fittings eg in the hallway and dining pendants which we are expected to get ourselves.

How do I challenge this? Or is it the going rate?

(This is in the Home Counties).

Thanks, D.

 

[Octopus]

"Supply, wire and fit 12LV downlights - £960 ecxcl VAT"

How many down lighters?

Over £14K's worth of electrics suggests a big, big house with lots of "goodies". Is it a complete rewire?

 

[electromonkey]

If you are paying £14k+ for an electrical installation in your home, there must be some serious work going on!!

How big is your house? Are you having anything costly such as mood lighting installed?

 

[mayfair]

You would need to give us a bit more info Ie how many 12v down lights unless its a big house it seems ott but more info needed, Is this builder using Electricians ? in the real sense. and providing paperwork for the work?

 

[cronshd]

"Supply, wire and fit 12LV downlights - £960 ecxcl VAT"

How many down lighters?

Over £14K's worth of electrics suggests a big, big house with lots of "goodies". Is it a complete rewire?

There are 12 downlighters in the kitchen - so £80 a pop excl VAT.

The work is 'new' wiring for an extension of kitchen, hallway, study - with rewiring of a lounge-diner, bathroom and en-suite with some additional external lighting.

There are some goodies - eg. 4 LEDs in the flooring - 'Supply, wire and fit 4 x LED uplights = £360 excl VAT'

Another basic is: 'Supply wire and fit 6 double sockets' = £510 excl VAT

Yes - the builder is using a proper electrician who has his own business. So I realise I am paying a bit more on top because this is managed through the builder. Still it seems (I am guessing) 20-40% over what it should be?

What paperwork should I be asking for? Isn;t it mainly driven by their 'hourly rates' - or std rates for doing a socket etc?

Cheers, D.

................

 

[Johnny-G]

Supply, wire and fit 12LV downlights - £960 ecxcl VAT.

Crikey, I did 10 in a kitchen the other week and charged @£400 including VAT and I was worried that was high.

 

[electromonkey]

Stop all work immediately and have a review of all costings with your contractor!!!!

 

[Octopus]

I have to say the downlighter price does look a bit high, some fittings can add up and if you've got grid switching needed that also adds up.

£14K inc VAT for an extension, in my opinion seems OTT. Sounds like margin on margin too!

 

[telectrix]

sounds way OTT to me. 12 downlights approx. £600 tops. 6 sockets £300 tops.

 

[Octopus]

Stop all work immediately and have a review of all costings with your contractor!!!!

Best suggestion so far.

 

[telectrix]

yeah, but make sure you've got belt and braces on as it looks like builders having your pants down.

 

[cronshd]

Best suggestion so far.

How do you recommend doing this review? I have told the builder that the prices are crazy - but the response is that is the rate.
I know the electrician is doing quality work - and I just can't see a way to get the price down. We are supposed to be 2-3 weeks away from completion now.

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Way way way overpriced, 12 downlights and cabling in a new intallation is IMHO one days work!, at £20 and hour that's £180The price of the lights is concerning me, are they 12 LV(low voltage) lights?, LV can be 230v, what you may mean is ELV (extra low voltage) I.e below 50v, if they are ELV and LED? Then they could be expensive, but even a good installation containing, proper junction boxes, stuffing glands, wagos and heat resistant flex shouldn't be £960!!

 

[Octopus]

Way way way overpriced, 12 downlights and cabling in a new intallation is IMHO one days work!, at £20 and hour that's £180The price of the lights is concerning me, are they 12 LV(low voltage) lights?, LV can be 230v, what you may mean is ELV (extra low voltage) I.e below 50v, if they are ELV and LED? Then they could be expensive, but even a good installation containing, proper junction boxes, stuffing glands, wagos and heat resistant flex shouldn't be £960!!

Do forget we're talking home counties here, probably a contractor with premises so the costs will be higher than a sole trader, plus they have VAT too.

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

North wales prices a lot lower!!, I'm sure nickb can confirm thatI feel like jumping in the van and doing the job for 10k !