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.

 

[electromonkey]

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.

First off, have you received any quotes from the contractor prior to any work starting?

 

[Guest123]

The prices do need looking at, no question.

The only thing I would say is dont go for the the sparks jugular from the off as he may not have a clue about any mark up the main contractor has added (if any) to his original quote so may be in the dark (pardon the pun).


£14K for the electrics in an extension & partial re-wire is bonkers!!!

 

[cronshd]

*** THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR REPLIES - MUCH APPRECIATED! ***

Ok this is the full breakdown. As I said, this is from the builder. The 'First Fix' and some of the second fix has been done. So in a way I am scuppered I think......

What do you think of this? For me, it is a matter of upset and regret I have to say. Not with the electrician - who seems fair and decent and does good work. More with myself for not seeing this at an earlier stage. And also to some extent with the main builder contractor - as I said to him: "I expected you to be the guardian of my budget". Not the case.

Anyway this is how you get to £12k (excluding VAT and excluding some of the fittings - so maybe c. £15k in total)....... Read it and weep...(or laugh depending on your perspective...)


Kitchen
Supply wire and fit 12no. LV down lights £960
Supply wire and fit 3no. under cupboard LV down lights £240
Supply wire and fit 6no. Led lights under the island worktop edge £360
Wire and fit 4no. general double sockets £340
Wire and fit 1no. single socket to TV position £80
Supply Wire and fit 1no. single socket to pop up socket £160
Wire and fit 6no. appliance points £640

Utility Room
Supply wire and fit 2no. low energy down lights £170
Wire and fit 1no. double socket £85
Wire and fit 3no. appliance points £240
Wire and fit 1no. 4” extractor £150

Loft
Wire and fit 1no. double socket to TV equipment £85
Wire and fit 1no. centre light £75

Heating
Re-locate and commission 1no. existing boiler. £240
Wire and commission 1no. new boiler. £250
Wire and commission underfloor heating system all zones. £730
Supply and fit 1no. Honeywell 7 day programmer £120
Supply and fit 1no. Honeywell cable junction box £10

Study
Wire and fit 3no. double sockets £255
Supply wire and fit 2no. low energy down lights £170

Hall
Wire and fit 1no. double socket £85
Supply wire and fit 2no. low energy down lights £255
Wire and fit clients 2no. wall lights (client supply) £140
Supply and fit 1no. cupboard light with door switch £85

Mains
Supply and install 1no. split load consumer unit and test the complete
installation. £450
Extend all existing circuits to the new consumer unit £250
Carryout all earth bonding £160

Lounge/Dining Room
Wire and fit 6no. double sockets £510
Wire and fit 1no. single socket to TV position £80
Supply wire and fit 7no. LV wall washers £560
Wire and fit 1no. centre light above dining table (client supply) £75
Wire and fit 1no. additional centre light above dining table (client supply )£75
Supply wire and fit 4no. floor LED uplights £360

Corridor
Supply wire and fit 3no. low energy down lights switched 2 way £255

Bathroom
Supply wire and fit 4no. IP LV down lights £320
Supply wire and fit 1no. 4” extractor £150
Wire and connect clients mirror light (client supply) £70

En suite
Supply wire and fit 1no. 4” extractor £150
Supply wire and fit 3no. IP LV down lights £240

Main Bedroom
Wire and fit 1no. double socket £85
Reposition light switch £35

Dressing Room
Wire and fit clients 1no. track lights(client supply) £70
Wire and fit clients 2no. dressing table lights(client supply) £140
Wire and fit 1no. single socket to dressing table £80



Existing en-suite
Remove existing shower room electrics. £100

External Work
Supply and fit 2no. IP double sockets £190
Supply and fit 4no. low energy down lights to the soffit switched via
a movement sensor. £360
Wire and fit clients 1no. wall lights with integral movement sensors (client supply) £70
Wire and fit clients 3no. wall lights (client supply) £210
Install 3no. switched circuits for garden/patio lighting and. £135
Wire and fit clients 8no. patio lights. £160

Miscellaneous
Wire and fit 2no. smoke and 1no. heat detectors £360
Supply wire and fit 1 door bell £95
Supply brushed flat plates to kitchen, hall and lounge only. £295

 

[Geoffsd]

cronshd

It's up to you to negotiate with the builder about what YOU want.

What kind of downlights have you asked for? Some are around £50 each.

 

[electromonkey]

Some strange pricing there. Of the one thing that pricing can go to town on is the supply, test and fit of the consumer unit yet, it comes in at a reasonable price!!

As per my earlier question, What were you quoted before work started?

 

[Spudnik]

I suspect this is the 'builders' price and not necessarily what the electrician is charging the builder.

 

[Geoffsd]

Having now read the list, it seems to me that it is more a list of individual jobs - i.e. if you had to go and do any one job the price doesn't look too bad.

However you do not seem to have any discount for bulk.

As I said above though some accessories are really expensive.

 

[nikmet]

I dont like to comment usually on other sparks prices, I haven't seen the job, BUT as this is a new build extension access and wiring should not be difficult, my personnel feeling is that the cost is extortionate, I would recommend speaking to the electrician on the quiet and try to establish the builders 'mark up', the electrician may be a decent guy who has no idea of what the builder is asking you to pay........good luck and keep us informed

 

[cronshd]

As per my earlier question, What were you quoted before work started?

Let me give a bit more background.

We were quoted for the original work from the builder - based on his estimate of what we might need. This came to about £6k - which we signed for.

Subsequently, we extended the scope to include bathroom and ensuite. At that point, we had a 'session' with the electrician: this meant walking round the whole piece, with him suggesting things and us nodding where we agreed/discussing etc. - with no mention of price (I naively thought it would all be in our $6k budget). The builder walked off at this point - rather than being our 'guardian' (usually with other trades he has been with us to act as the project manager/guide) - so wasn't in there saying "this will be extra etc....".

So.......when we got the Additional Work Quote - this suddenly went up from £6k to £12k (as previous post). In fact it was more like £14k - but I then said no to a number of nice-to-haves like LEDs in plinths and in Kitchen Drawers etc......I said we just want to get to basics.
So that is where we have go to - although I have not yet formally signed the Additional Works Contract.

Hope that helps. I do not want to spoil things with the builder as overall he has been very flexible and accommodating in most areas - and we are expecting a high standard finish.

I feel in a bit of quandary really :-(

And the only thing I can take from it is 'lesson learned'..........oh and some nice lighting I hope........

 

[Octopus]

"Hope that helps. I do not want to spoil things with the builder as overall he has been very flexible and accommodating in most areas - and we are expecting a high standard finish."

Fingered crossed you'll get a top notch installation, with cert provided, and the minimum of "glitches".

Too often people these days want something for very little and then wonder what the fixtures are poor, at an angle, or inconsistent throughout a build.

 

[DurhamSparky]

personally sounds like a lot of work! how long has the project been going?

only time will tell about the final price / finish!

bit high for N.East area but cant comment on down south!

 

[Engineer54]

Having now read the list, it seems to me that it is more a list of individual jobs - i.e. if you had to go and do any one job the price doesn't look too bad.

However you do not seem to have any discount for bulk.

As I said above though some accessories are really expensive.

Anyone else here think that these prices don't look too bad??? ...didn't think so!!!!

As for those accessories, Yes, .....especially the gold plated variety, ....which is what i'd be expecting for this buckshee 14K price!!!!

This guy, is getting well and truly shafted, by the either the electrician, the builder or Both!!!

 

[electromonkey]

In all reality, If the additional work was not put in writing and no prices agreed then it is down to you to negotiate a price for it.

My suggestion as a starting point is to ask to see the invoices for the additional materials and make an offer to pay for them. You then have the labour for the additional work to deal with. If you know the time spent on the extra work and can agree an hourly/day rate with the spark. If you feel the builder has neglected his duty as the go between between you and your electrical contractor then you have a good case for not paying him.

 

[mayfair]

Id like to second that m8, Sorry unlike the peps that sit on the fence. think some of us have to be sensible enough to see when people are getting screwed.

Anyone else here think that these prices don't look too bad??? ...didn't think so!!!!

As for those accessories, Yes, .....especially the gold plated variety, ....which is what i'd be expecting for this buckshee 14K price!!!!

This guy, is getting well and truly shafted, by the either the electrician, the builder or Both!!!

 

[cronshd]

"Hope that helps. I do not want to spoil things with the builder as overall he has been very flexible and accommodating in most areas - and we are expecting a high standard finish."

Fingered crossed you'll get a top notch installation, with cert provided, and the minimum of "glitches".

Too often people these days want something for very little and then wonder what the fixtures are poor, at an angle, or inconsistent throughout a build.

Yes - we went thru quite a process to choose the builder - from a long list of 30 builders, then a short list of 14 who we had round for interview/discussions then a select list of 6 who tendered. The firm then chosen were not the cheapest but not by any means the most expensive. Reason for choice was the understanding of what we wanted and the attention to finish. So it is expected that it will "exceed our expectations"......he says.