Why so big a difference in price?

[steve_jones]

Hi All,

Just wanted anyone's views on why electricians prices are so different, had a few quotes for wiring in a kitchen, quotes came in at:

£1200
£950 (reduced to £850 when I questioned it)
£460

Went with the £460, did a great job, safety certificate the lot. I know none of you will have seen the job in question but how do people quote up for jobs and why the vast difference?

 

[7029 dave]

We can all be busy fools.? Hey who knows the work you have asked for, your details are vague. Some over price because that don't need the work, if they get the job it's a bonus.

 

[Loki]

How long was he there with his tester out?

thats a bit of a personal question lol

 

[rolyberkin]

Was it the same price if you gave him a cheque? I think most priced jobs are a bit of a gamble, if you can get in and out quick you can afford to be cheap, if you have a mare and are in there a few days you end up out of pocket. For a layman two jobs can look the same but may not be to the same (or any) standards irrespective of certification or how well a van is sign written. The NICEIC registered electricians who rewired the last house I worked on thought it acceptable to twist singles together and shove them in a rubber glove in the wall. They had lovely van and give him a proper certificate. Wouldn't let them within a mile of my house though

 

[Leesparkykent]

If your happy with the work then it looks like you got an extremely good deal. For what it's worth, from your description of works, I would of been around the higher end of the quotes you received. There are plenty of good electricians who start out in business and don't last very long. They either price to low so when something unexpected happens they loose money or they are so cheap they are rushed of their feet, not making much money and generally being busy fools. Sounds like you got an absolute deal if the standard of work is good.

 

[RWJ]

Just another windup me thinks.... One of where do you wire the nest thing up to lot or the can I use American cable guy.

I filled the van up at Tesco today price was £1.299 per litre however Morrisons was £1.289 and one bp in the centre of town was £1.309 and the bp chanser on the main A road was £1.349

 

[Andy78]

Thanks for the replies, the work consisted of:

-Move a couple of light switch down 10 cm.
-Move power socket behind unit for dish washer.
-Make new socket for extractor fan.
-Make new socket for washing machine in the utility.
-Replace all sockets and switch faces (I have bought already)
-Place 6 down lights in the celling. (basic white - supply and fit)
-Upgrade cooker as 16A required
-Wiring in under cupboard and plinth lighting (not supply)

Took him one whole day for first fix and a few hours for second, I'd say 10 hours in total.

Was there any additional work to your list ? Earthing and bonding was all in place and suitable ? consumer unit needed no adaptions or upgrades, specifically RCDs for the altered circuits ? Any making good of chases ?

 

[sparksburnout]

Was there any additional work to your list ? Earthing and bonding was all in place and suitable ? consumer unit needed no adaptions or upgrades, specifically RCDs for the altered circuits ? Any making good of chases ?

What do you want for £460???

 

[Andy78]

What do you want for £460???

An explanation as to why the others were more, apparently

 

[PEG]

You lot are far too cynical...I'm off to that swanky new Bistro...with me £460...

 

[steve_jones]

The fitter sorted out all the chases, but both other electricians expected him to do that, it seems these are jobs electricians don’t like or think they have to do?

Are you guys saying £35 an hour is cheap for an electrician?

 

[robd]

People might put a higher price in if they think someone is likely to be a pain in the backside.

 

[Octopus]

People do put a higher price in if they think someone is likely to be a pain in the backside.

Edited that for you ..............

 

[sparksburnout]

It's up to you. Why do you think there was such a difference in price? why do you think that you can go to a nice, "ethical" restaurant for a meal, where they might be paying for well trained, professional staff, for a reasonable amount of money, or trot off down the £4.99 for two crap house? People in this country seem to be wanting everything for nothing these days, it is all going to end in tears.

 

[robd]

Edited that for you ..............

Was trying to be tactful

 

[steve_jones]

It's up to you. Why do you think there was such a difference in price? why do you think that you can go to a nice, "ethical" restaurant for a meal, where they might be paying for well trained, professional staff, for a reasonable amount of money, or trot off down the £4.99 for two crap house? People in this country seem to be wanting everything for nothing these days, it is all going to end in tears.

Just because someone is cheaper doesn’t mean they’ll do a bad job, same as someone expensive doing a good job. Yes in general you do get what you pay for but that price seemed reasonable to me. Don’t you think it says something about the other electrician who dropped £100 once I questioned his pricing? To me that shows a chancer. I bet he pulled up, saw my house on a private estate and put on £200.