Really struggling with quotes!

[HappyHippyDad]

I think I'm spending more time trying to work out how much to charge the customer than the job itself!

After a few months I'll get a general idea of how much to charge for jobs but for now I'd be grateful if a few of you guys could give me an idea what you would charge for the following in total for the following job all in the same house:

1. removing existing uplighters and fitting 2 new uplighters to wall - cable already there.
2. Adding 2 spurs - using trunking, customer doesn't want walls channeled
3. putting 2 lights into loft - access isn't difficult, low ceiling, will take power from existing lighting circuit
4. Testing

I have done a pre-work survey. The house is RCD protected, lights are earthed, main earthing and bonding are fine and other tests ok so I'm not expecting any complications......oh dear!

How much would you charge for that lot? (for labour)

 

[onions1066]

250 ish

 

[pjcomp]

I'd go with that too

PJ

 

[telectrix]

if it takes between 5 and 8 hours, that;s got to be a day'd work. you won't be doing any other jobs that day. so charge what you require per day ( £160-£200) and then add a bit to cover any snags. so above posts are about right.

 

[Octopus]

If you are keen to get the work, and are willing to win the business base it on Tels lower number and learn from it - so if if takes longer charge more next time.

Not an ideal answer but when starting out you need customers so go in keen but don't give it away.

 

[chrish_1977]

Around £250-£300 as long as testing doesn't throw anything else up, may want to agree a rate for remedials just in case

 

[kingeri]

The jobs themselves should be fairly quick from what you've posted. But you never know what they can throw at you, so always factor in the unexpected. Personally, I'd be quoting a days work for that lot plus materials, then if you finish a bit early you can bring it down a bit, makes you look good that way

 

[Guitarist]

£200-£250 imo. Bet you've already spent an hour there testing the install and chatting to the owner

 

[simpson93]

as above 250 imo

 

[wade88]

$1,000,000 (in the voice of Dr.Evil)

 

[HappyHippyDad]

If you are keen to get the work, and are willing to win the business base it on Tels lower number and learn from it - so if if takes longer charge more next time.

Not an ideal answer but when starting out you need customers so go in keen but don't give it away.

I think thats a good idea, I'm just starting out and need to build up a client base.

The jobs themselves should be fairly quick from what you've posted. But you never know what they can throw at you, so always factor in the unexpected. Personally, I'd be quoting a days work for that lot plus materials, then if you finish a bit early you can bring it down a bit, makes you look good that way

Another good idea, thanks Kingeri.

£200-£250 imo. Bet you've already spent an hour there testing the install and chatting to the owner

Yes! I have to remember that the customer is not as interested in electrics as I am though, his face did blank over a bit when I starting explaining why earthing was important. I downed my tea and left

Thanks all for replying, I expect they'll be one or two more quote questions over the next couple of months!!

 

[Guitarist]

I think thats a good idea, I'm just starting out and need to build up a client base.




Another good idea, thanks Kingeri.



Yes! I have to remember that the customer is not as interested in electrics as I am though, his face did blank over a bit when I starting explaining why earthing was important. I downed my tea and left

Thanks all for replying, I expect they'll be one or two more quote questions over the next couple of months!!

My wife often works with me, and I've lost count of the number of times she tells me that I'm getting "too technical" with the customer. I have to remember to say things like "The wiring's shot", and "That fitting's Knackered". Saves a lot of glazing over

 

[RmBo_0]

I think thats a good idea, I'm just starting out and need to build up a client base.




Another good idea, thanks Kingeri.



Yes! I have to remember that the customer is not as interested in electrics as I am though, his face did blank over a bit when I starting explaining why earthing was important. I downed my tea and left

Thanks all for replying, I expect they'll be one or two more quote questions over the next couple of months!!

My wife often works with me, and I've lost count of the number of times she tells me that I'm getting "too technical" with the customer. I have to remember to say things like "The wiring's shot", and "That fitting's Knackered". Saves a lot of glazing over

Most customers will look at you with a blank expression when you mention the words "consumer unit".

 

[MDJ]

I think I'm spending more time trying to work out how much to charge the customer than the job itself!

After a few months I'll get a general idea of how much to charge for jobs but for now I'd be grateful if a few of you guys could give me an idea what you would charge for the following in total for the following job all in the same house:

1. removing existing uplighters and fitting 2 new uplighters to wall - cable already there.
2. Adding 2 spurs - using trunking, customer doesn't want walls channeled
3. putting 2 lights into loft - access isn't difficult, low ceiling, will take power from existing lighting circuit
4. Testing

I have done a pre-work survey. The house is RCD protected, lights are earthed, main earthing and bonding are fine and other tests ok so I'm not expecting any complications......oh dear!

How much would you charge for that lot? (for labour)

(1) £30.00-£50.00
(2) Depends on where existing cabling is in relation to spurs to be fitted, at a guess £100.00 ish, but thats a guess
(3) £100.00
(4) free, should be included in fixed price quotation and hidden, your reputation will be in tatters if you add testing seperately into an invoice, add it into the quote and don't mention it on the Invoice, unless testing is for a report rather than testing what you have installed

so anywhere between £230-£350 at a guess, need more info about the spurs TBH to give a proper quote.

Mike

 

[glasgospark]

state a hourly rate , give ESTIMATED timescale plus material cost
explain what time delays there could be and give a bottom and top end price
theyl be happy when you tell them its under the highest cost and will be prepared if it is the higher number