Newbie pricing help please.

[Fitzy]

I've been asked to add a couple of new sockets to ring final and was unsure on how to price the job. Per hour plus materials or a set price based on the individual jobs. Per hour I thought about £25 plus materials or £40-£50 plus materials per individual job.

I'm not after what any of you guys charge as that's your private business, I just don't want to under price myself, but get a gauge of at least being in the ballpark. The last thing I want to do is to severely undercut other electricians in my area and cause problems, but at least being the same ballpark allows the customer to make the final decision.

I’m based in Redhill, Surrey, so I’ll be working mainly in Surrey & Sussex.

 

[casperLennon]

NOT big headed. I don’t know it all. When I started as a 30 year old I had a mortgage 4 kids two cars and I went for it full time. I started on £10 per hour. Very hard but I was committed to it. However you are playing at it. Like I say spoilt little brat.

 

[Fitzy]

Ok, whatever billy big balls.....

 

[casperLennon]

Good answer brat. Probably as good as your part time electrical fiddling

 

[Spoon]

Gents.. While this is all good fun to read. Maybe we should leave everyone to their own opinions and cut down on the name calling.

Look at me being the mature one...

 

[Fitzy]

Well said Spoon, apologies if I upset anyone, all said in the heat of the moment, all forgotten by tomorrow.

 

[Spoon]

Well said Spoon, apologies if I upset anyone, all said in the heat of the moment, all forgotten by tomorrow.

You have not upset me. Just had my 'sensible' head on for a few seconds... It was too frightening so I've took it off now...

 

[Risteard]

If you price a job why the hell would you offer a discount for finishing early ?

I've done that a few times ........ mostly when I'm doing a "long" list of jobs and I've given a very vague estimate of time. You can't charge for 3 days when you've only been onsite for 2!

Not really talking about an estimate here though. If a quote was accepted then you carry the risk if it takes longer so why shouldn't you reap the rewards if it takes less time?

 

[Spoon]

If you price a job why the hell would you offer a discount for finishing early ?

Not really talking about an estimate here though. If a quote was accepted then you carry the risk if it takes longer so why shouldn't you reap the rewards if it takes less time?

I think it's a great idea. Think about it..
Just imagine a customer telling all his mates that an electrician gave him money back as he finished the work earlier than expected...
How many are going to say "What an arse" and how many are going to say "What's his phone number"?

 

[Risteard]

I think it's a great idea. Think about it..
Just imagine a customer telling all his mates that an electrician gave him money back as he finished the work earlier than expected...
How many are going to say "What an arse" and how many are going to say "What's his phone number"?

All well and good, but are they going to give you extra for it taking longer than you had anticipated?

 

[Spoon]

All well and good, but are they going to give you extra for it taking longer than you had anticipated?

No.

 

[Fitzy]

All well and good, but are they going to give you extra for it taking longer than you had anticipated?

True, hence why sometimes it’s prudent to over estimate. I also do shirt printing with my wife and we always give a longer lead time to complete a print run than it really does and completing it earlier has gotten us plenty of repeat work.

 

[peterhyper]

Are courses to be a domestic electrician really as long as 4 weeks?

 

[Hoon]

It’s unjust that you can put the same accreditation on your van that I and others in this forum can.
I 100% agree with that idea everyone in life being given the opportunity to retrain and change their careers ,to better themselves.

But I will never agree that someone after 20 days can safely and legally complete electrical work in somebody’s home.
All this is ruining the publics confidence in scheme providers as they can no longer be seen as a certification of competence.

Also the saturation of the domestic sector caused by this part p scam is causing wage compression on a huge scale.
ANYONE CAN MAKE A CIRCUIT WORK it’s a lot harder to make it disconnect in time and for the circuit to be safe.

somewhere around 50ma can kill a human being.
I wouldn’t let you anywhere near my house after 20 days in a training centre.

You’re a risk too my children’s life’s, and let’s be clear the public wouldn’t let you anywhere near their property if they knew the extent of your training and what could go wrong.
Learn some humility earn your stripes get some experience. Your a electricians mate, a improver at the very best.

our vocation isnt easy we work with a force that as a species we don’t fully understand.


Slow down, charge less and work with and learn from a experienced electrician

 

[Fitzy]

But to get the accreditation from one of the regulatory bodies I still have to pass the same assessment as everybody else, to prove my competence. I appreciate all your opinions....

 

[JAWS]

But to get the accreditation from one of the regulatory bodies I still have to pass the same assessment as everybody else, to prove my competence. I appreciate all your opinions....

Fitzy what qualifications did you end up with after your course?