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)

 

[HappyHippyDad]

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

Yes, I've discovered that already! I just say 'fuse box' now :smiley2:

(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

Thanks Mike,

The spurs are fairly straight forward, one is from a socket about 2m's away. The other I'm taking from the CU as there are no other viable options, total run about 3.5 m's.

I've just quoted £283 (this includes all the parts - good quality crabtree/MK etc). The customer wasn't happy with that and asked for a complete breakdown of quote which I have sent along with a recommendation that he gets some more quotes so that he can be satisfied he is not getting ripped off.

I gave a very detailed breakdown of the quote, which unfortunately did include 1hr for testing, I'll remember your words next time Mike!

 

[pete555]

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

don,t charge for wife you will win every job

 

[sparkless]

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

you take your wife to work?

 

[Guitarist]

you take your wife to work?

Yep, and it's great tbh. I get a "womans perspective" when installing accessories, she never argues with me, It's another pair of hands when cable-pulling, she always clears up after me to an impeccable standard, and the customers love having a couple work in their homes. The only people who seem a bit "put out" are builders occasionally (as they try to be on their best behaviour )