No Paperwork For New Consumer Unit Installation

[Octopus]

Quick update:
Something has been received from the electrician by email. As soon as I get to see it I will update again. A request has also been made for the original printed certificate.
With regards the price: I am now confident that he hasn't taken advantage of my mothers age; he is just expensive.
I came to this conclusion by asking a female friend to request a quote for the same job. The price quoted over the 'phone was £600. The caller was also much younger than my mother which should have come across over the 'phone.
.......................

hum....

You need an EIC

AND

Confirmation that LABC Part P notification has been done


and he's not expensive, he is ripping people off!

 

[shanky887614]

hum....

You need an EIC

AND

Confirmation that LABC Part P notification has been done


and he's not expensive, he is ripping people off!

or he doesnt really want the work so is trying unsuccessfully to price himself out of it.

 

[markc123]

or he doesnt really want the work so is trying unsuccessfully to price himself out of it.

we've all done that ... really busy ... stick an extra few hundred on the quote, it's better than telling them no and don't want the job ... get the job anyway :banghead:

 

[Spoon]

Wouldn't it be better just to tell them that you are too busy for the next few months to do the work. That way you don't look like you are trying to rip them off?

 

[sparksburnout]

This thread has raised a very interesting point, if off-topic. With the exception of elderly and any other vulnerable person, is it really a crime to overprice a quote? Now, the way this was done in this example is unprofessional and it were not the elderly lady concerned then alarm bells should have rung from the start. I can't imagine this guy gives all his quotes verbally so to me it smacks of him seizing what he saw as a chance for making extra money out of the situation, reprehensible under the circumstances. However, taking her out of the equation, as has been said is it wrong to be up front with a written quote? Or, for that matter, to wind it up a bit in certain circumstances? Anyone with any common sense will get a number of quotes for a relatively expensive job like a CU change, or for any type of work for that matter. If the firm concerned gives a proper written quote then do they not have only themselves to blame? I am sure most of us have been too busy and wound a quote right up on occasions, only to have it accepted? is this wrong?? I recently turned up at a mansion to quote for power in an outbuilding, the guy was clearly loaded, 2 new BM's on the drive - who's not going to wind it up a bit? If it were a single mother in a terrace then I would, on the other hand, try and help her out. Another point, I do a bit of work for a local builder, as does a plumber. This guy recently charged £500 for re-routing an original external gas pipe of about 10M through a new extension, point to point - £500!!!! Took him half a day, and apparently that's par for the course in plumbing circles, so what does that say about this CU change? Yes you could say "sorry I am too busy", but is it really that bad to be open about your price and see what happens? Plenty other firms do it.

 

[sparksburnout]

Oh and the other thing was, am I out of touch here, but who the hell carries a merchant terminal around with them?? Does this not smell a bit fishy?

 

[Spoon]

...... Plenty other firms do it.

Doesn't always mean you have to as well. Too many people try and use this for their own good.

 

[telectrix]

as a professional spark, charges are way too low IMO. most of us are happy to work for £30/hour or less. compare that with a solicitor @ £175/hour, or an accountant @ £90/hour. OK, they've done longer courses and spent more to get where they are, but at the end of the day, they provide a service to the public same as us. if i could demand £600 for a CU change and get it, sure i would.

 

[andyb]

Oh and the other thing was, am I out of touch here, but who the hell carries a merchant terminal around with them?? Does this not smell a bit fishy?

I don't at the moment but I probably will now that you can get a paypall one for about £50.00.
I don't get many cheques, a couple a month. And these are for small jobs and call outs. I then have to go the the bank with them.
I'd be happy to pay 2.75% to avoid a trip to town.

 

[shanky887614]

I don't at the moment but I probably will now that you can get a paypall one for about £50.00.
I don't get many cheques, a couple a month. And these are for small jobs and call outs. I then have to go the the bank with them.
I'd be happy to pay 2.75% to avoid a trip to town.

why not put it at the botton of the quote with cheques being the most expensive put a charge as they are a pain in the arse.

im sure they wouldnt bat an eye lid at an admin charge for cheques but cash and card payments no charge.

 

[richy3333]

This thread has raised a very interesting point, if off-topic. With the exception of elderly and any other vulnerable person, is it really a crime to overprice a quote? Now, the way this was done in this example is unprofessional and it were not the elderly lady concerned then alarm bells should have rung from the start. I can't imagine this guy gives all his quotes verbally so to me it smacks of him seizing what he saw as a chance for making extra money out of the situation, reprehensible under the circumstances. However, taking her out of the equation, as has been said is it wrong to be up front with a written quote? Or, for that matter, to wind it up a bit in certain circumstances? Anyone with any common sense will get a number of quotes for a relatively expensive job like a CU change, or for any type of work for that matter. If the firm concerned gives a proper written quote then do they not have only themselves to blame? I am sure most of us have been too busy and wound a quote right up on occasions, only to have it accepted? is this wrong?? I recently turned up at a mansion to quote for power in an outbuilding, the guy was clearly loaded, 2 new BM's on the drive - who's not going to wind it up a bit? If it were a single mother in a terrace then I would, on the other hand, try and help her out. Another point, I do a bit of work for a local builder, as does a plumber. This guy recently charged £500 for re-routing an original external gas pipe of about 10M through a new extension, point to point - £500!!!! Took him half a day, and apparently that's par for the course in plumbing circles, so what does that say about this CU change? Yes you could say "sorry I am too busy", but is it really that bad to be open about your price and see what happens? Plenty other firms do it.

Short answer is no it isn't. The price you quote is the price. Market forces dictate. You either get the work or you dont. Price to low and as Tel says you demoralise the industry to the lowest common denominator. Id rather do 1 days work changing a CU well for £600 (I'm not saying I charge £600 btw) rather than 2 days work for the same money. I'm a business, not a charity and so long as I trade with a conscience I dont see what the fuss is about.

 

[sparksburnout]

Doesn't always mean you have to as well. Too many people try and use this for their own good.

OK so you go into a car dealership and spend £17K on the first one you see. Half a mile down the road another guy has exactly the same car for £16K, and the first guy makes a nice little drink out of it. Is he a nasty conman or is the customer a bit of a plonka for not shopping around??

 

[telectrix]

maybe the first dealer is niceic and so has larger overheads.:wub:

 

[Spoon]

I can't afford £17K for a car. I wouldn't even pay that price if I could.
I do get where you are coming from. I just don't like the saying.

 

[telectrix]

i'm saying nowt as the missus has just paid close to 15K on a 3 year old ford grand C max.