New DB loaded with RCBOs

[john944]

Could someone tell me how much you would charge for a 12way Wylex DB loaded with RCBOs as new customer has been charged £1900 which I think is a bit steep

 

[Leesparkykent]

In fairness if the pricing was agreed or never asked for then there isn't anything wrong with it. I certainly wouldn't criticise someone for charging good money for work. Unfortunately in many places it is hard to sustain fair (to the Electrician) charges.

Risteard is this your signature or has the forum dropped an advert in that looks like your endorsing?

Edit: No its the forum ...It now looks like I'm pluging screwfix as I'm the last poster lol

 

[Guitarist]

Test the installation first.

I try to do some basic tests before quoting, but that in itself can cause problems...
Firstly, do we charge to test the installation, knowing that we may not get the work? If so, how long do we work for free?
Secondly, assuming that the IR tests are ok, what if there is a break in the ring on one or more circuits? I find this on nearly every board change).
Thirdly, when changing from an old rewireable to an RCD board, do we test all appliances which could have earth leakage?
Fourthly, do we check that there are no shared neutrals across lighting circuits?

Obviously, once we start testing circuits properly, we may find missing earths, dodgy connections, spurs off spurs, incorrectly-sized cables, missing enclosures, damaged accessories, and so on.

 

[westward10]

I try to do some basic tests before quoting, but that in itself can cause problems...
Firstly, do we charge to test the installation, knowing that we may not get the work? If so, how long do we work for free?
Secondly, assuming that the IR tests are ok, what if there is a break in the ring on one or more circuits? I find this on nearly every board change).
Thirdly, when changing from an old rewireable to an RCD board, do we test all appliances which could have earth leakage?
Fourthly, do we check that there are no shared neutrals across lighting circuits?

Obviously, once we start testing circuits properly, we may find missing earths, dodgy connections, spurs off spurs, incorrectly-sized cables, missing enclosures, damaged accessories, and so on.

Well that is why you should test it first.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I try to do some basic tests before quoting, but that in itself can cause problems...
Firstly, do we charge to test the installation, knowing that we may not get the work? If so, how long do we work for free?
Secondly, assuming that the IR tests are ok, what if there is a break in the ring on one or more circuits? I find this on nearly every board change).
Thirdly, when changing from an old rewireable to an RCD board, do we test all appliances which could have earth leakage?
Fourthly, do we check that there are no shared neutrals across lighting circuits?

Obviously, once we start testing circuits properly, we may find missing earths, dodgy connections, spurs off spurs, incorrectly-sized cables, missing enclosures, damaged accessories, and so on.

What you could do is say to the customer that when changing a CU the circuits your reconnecting has to be safe to do so. If you find something that's not safe there may be an additional cost to make it safe which will be discussed if a problem arises or the circuit cant be connected. To circumnavigate this you could have an EICR done for a small fee of £££ which will bring up any defects and if any are found this can be discussed and priced before you proceed with the change. If you have the CU change done within 2-3 days of the EICR I can offer you a discount of ££ amount as I have all the results of the dead tests from the EICR. This way you earn extra from doing the report having a chance to price defects without being under pressure and if the customer isn't willing to pay an additional cost to rectify any defects your still quids in from doing the report.

 

[David M]

What you could do is say to the customer that when changing a CU the circuit your reconnecting has to be safe to do so. If you find something there may be an additional cost to make it safe which will be discussed if a problem arises or the circuit cant be connected. To circumnavigate this you could have an EICR done for a small fee of £££ which will bring up any defects and if any are found this can be discussed and priced before you proceed with the change. If you have the CU change done within 2-3 days of the EICR I can offer you a discount of ££ amount as I have all the results of the dead tests from the EICR.

In an ideal world this would work great.
Reality is (in my experience) the majority of folk don't want to pay to be told that their "perfectly working electrics" are faulty and need repairs/upgrades. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place in my opinion.

 

[Leesparkykent]

In an ideal world this would work great.
Reality is (in my experience) the majority of folk don't want to pay to be told that their "perfectly working electrics" are faulty and need repairs/upgrades. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place in my opinion.

Agreed but then your half way through a CU change and problems start coming to light...Who's the bad guy then when you say I cant connect this particular circuit as its not safe..if you do want the fault rectified and the circuit connected its going to cost you £££ extra. A customer could potentially feel held to ransom IMO. If the customer isn't willing to pay to have it put right then I wouldn't want them as a customer in the 1st place and if you've discussed the option of an EICR first and the customer doesn't opt for it then I could sleep easily knowing I didn't connect the problem circuit/s and wouldn't feel bad for it.

 

[David M]

Good point Lee

 

[sparksburnout]

So, out of interest, what exactly would you class as an existing problem that would render the circuit "unsafe to reconnect", bearing in mind you will very often be making the installation safer by doing the change? Surely the fact that borrowed neutrals or spurs off spurs may exist are not reason enough not to reconnect the circuit?

 

[Guitarist]

Well that is why you should test it first.

My point is, how much testing do you do for free? A day? A couple of hours?

 

[Octopus]

On EVERY estimate I send, which includes a CU change or upgrade, the following is stated:

"NB: If problems are detected during the fuseboard change additional work may be required. Such issues and associated costs will be discussed with you, prior to being implemented"

Never had a complaint, never had it questioned, rarely have to increase costs.....

 

[Guitarist]

In an ideal world this would work great.
Reality is (in my experience) the majority of folk don't want to pay to be told that their "perfectly working electrics" are faulty and need repairs/upgrades. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place in my opinion.

Completely agree, rock and a hard place. I say the same thing as Murdoch, but even then I feel like I'm just the bearer of bad news all the time.

 

[sparksburnout]

The most often found problem IMO is borrowed neutrals. Round here it is almost not worth checking first because all the houses on certain estates were wired in the same way. As has been stated, if you mention to the client that they will need there newly decorated hall/landing pulling to bits or any other disruption they will just say that they have "never had a problem in the last 25 years" so why do you need to do it now, and then another spark will come along and just do the job anyway. Personally I really can't see why it is a massive problem to put all the lights on one (RCD protected) breaker, obviously it won't "comply" but hardly the end of the world? Most people have table lamps and torches.

 

[westward10]

My point is, how much testing do you do for free? A day? A couple of hours?

Me, as long as it takes, domestics don't take long. I find the problems, if there are any first. Each to their own.

 

[sparksburnout]

Me, as long as it takes, domestics don't take long. I find the problems, if there are any first. Each to their own.

So if you found a borrowed neutral, would you tell the customer it's no-can-do unless it's resolved, come what may?

 

[westward10]

So if you found a borrowed neutral, would you tell the customer it's no-can-do unless it's resolved, come what may?

No quote for replacing CU would include necessary remedial.