[Help] Electrician Costs ... some guidance

[PascalGroß Tips]

We need a new light fitted in the ceiling going up our stairs (we live in a 3 story townhouse).

We had a chap (with good reviews) come and quote. All very positive. Said he'd help with getting the light we wanted once we'd chosen it etc. He said the job was straightforward and quoted us £95. But he's now gone off the radar and doesn't return calls or texts etc.

Our bathroom fitter chap - who did a brilliant job for us - recommended someone to us. We made contact and agreed a day/time where he could hopefully make it to come and have a look. He messaged that day to say he'd been delayed and couldn't make it (it was a Friday) and would look to come round the following Monday/Tuesday. he's now also on off the radar.

We then went to another firm - good reviews on checkatrade. Chap came round a couple of days ago. By now, we also decided we wanted to replace two smoke alarms nearing the end of their time (we've bought the alarms) and also a number of ceiling light pendants to match the colour of the new lights. Again, we'll buy the new pendants.

The quote came in last night. £145 + VAT to fit the new light. I could live with that being more expensive than the first chap who's gone AWOL. But he also quoted £45 + VAT to change each of the smoke alarms and light pendants. So the total cost is just shy of £500.

Our house is just over 20 years old. All the wiring is there so just a simple 'old one out, new one in' job. It won't take anything like a day (appreciate a tradesperson might need to charge for a day if they can't go off and do another job). But £500 seems a bit steep to me. Or is that in the ballpark for the going rate?

 

[Weststander]

I’m impressed with the electricians we use, Brighton area, I suspect they may be cheaper. Remember VAT’s in the £500.

Are you interested, I’ll pm you?

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I’m impressed with the electricians we use, Brighton area, I suspect they may be cheaper. Remember VAT’s in the £500.

Are you interested, I’ll pm you?

Yes please

 

[scooter1]

We need a new light fitted in the ceiling going up our stairs (we live in a 3 story townhouse).

We had a chap (with good reviews) come and quote. All very positive. Said he'd help with getting the light we wanted once we'd chosen it etc. He said the job was straightforward and quoted us £95. But he's now gone off the radar and doesn't return calls or texts etc.

Our bathroom fitter chap - who did a brilliant job for us - recommended someone to us. We made contact and agreed a day/time where he could hopefully make it to come and have a look. He messaged that day to say he'd been delayed and couldn't make it (it was a Friday) and would look to come round the following Monday/Tuesday. he's now also on off the radar.

We then went to another firm - good reviews on checkatrade. Chap came round a couple of days ago. By now, we also decided we wanted to replace two smoke alarms nearing the end of their time (we've bought the alarms) and also a number of ceiling light pendants to match the colour of the new lights. Again, we'll buy the new pendants.

The quote came in last night. £145 + VAT to fit the new light. I could live with that being more expensive than the first chap who's gone AWOL. But he also quoted £45 + VAT to change each of the smoke alarms and light pendants. So the total cost is just shy of £500.

Our house is just over 20 years old. All the wiring is there so just a simple 'old one out, new one in' job. It won't take anything like a day (appreciate a tradesperson might need to charge for a day if they can't go off and do another job). But £500 seems a bit steep to me. Or is that in the ballpark for the going rate?

A mate of mine is a sparky(and could easily be one of the ones you've spoken to), but based on what i know he charges, that sounds about right. The first quote of £95 sounded cheap, which may be why you've not heard from him again.... It's at least half a days work for everything, and if he cannot get another half day local then 'it's a days labour'

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

A mate of mine is a sparky(and could easily be one of the ones you've spoken to), but based on what i know he charges, that sounds about right. The first quote of £95 sounded cheap, which may be why you've not heard from him again.... It's at least half a days work for everything, and if he cannot get another half day local then 'it's a days labour'

Thanks for info

So daily rate for an electrician (excluding VAT) is around £400? I thought closer to £250 for tradesman - but maybe not electricians.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Thanks for info

So daily rate for an electrician (excluding VAT) is around £400? I thought closer to £250 for tradesman - but maybe not electricians.

What area are you in?
Rates will vary depending on parking etc, central Brighton will obviously be more expensive.

 

[scooter1]

Thanks for info

So daily rate for an electrician (excluding VAT) is around £400? I thought closer to £250 for tradesman - but maybe not electricians.

Those I know charge £300-£350 for a full day, plus VAT if they're VAT registered

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

What area are you in?
Rates will vary depending on parking etc, central Brighton will obviously be more expensive.

I'm in Shoreham. Parking is fine but then we always vacate our drive when having work done so tradesman can park off the road.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Those I know charge £300-£350 for a full day, plus VAT if they're VAT registered

Just checked our quote. It's £410 + VAT so a bit on the steep side.

 

[BN9 BHA]

I'm in Shoreham. Parking is fine but then we always vacate our drive when having work done so tradesman can park off the road.

Do you get this magazine through your door?
There are similar types of magazines delivered to Peacehaven and Saltdean that I advertise in, many people use them for local trades.

Inside Shoreham and Southwick

insideshoreham.com

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Do you get this magazine through your door?
There are similar types of magazines delivered to Peacehaven and Saltdean that I advertise in, many people use them for local trades.

Inside Shoreham and Southwick

insideshoreham.com

Funnily enough, that's the exact same magazine we got the details of the firm that just quoted.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Funnily enough, that's the exact same magazine we got the details of the firm that just quoted.

Any others in there, like someone that is a sole trader?
If they are a company that quoted you has employees, vans and maybe an office they will be expensive.

 

[scooter1]

Any others in there, like someone that is a sole trader?
If they are a company that quoted you has employees, vans and maybe an office they will be expensive.

But more likely to turn up. I don't want to tar every tradesperson with the same brush, but guys I know will chase the ££. If a simple job is worth £60, it gets bumped and bumped and then forgotten.
A bigger firm with vans and employees is more likely to actually schedule the job into a planner, and then turn up

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Any others in there, like someone that is a sole trader?
If they are a company that quoted you has employees, vans and maybe an office they will be expensive.

The original chap was a sole trader. When he was here he talked about his Gran living locally and always wanting to do a good job etc etc. Was a very pleasant chap - good communicator ... until he went AWOL One of the chaps we'd been given details of, was at the time I'd seen his name mentioned on here. Not for electrical work - but he was one of the 4/5 given a FBO for the Marseille incident. We still called him as his Facebook page with photos of work he'd done looked really impressive. But he's the other one that seems to have disappeared.

When my wife mentioned the firm in the magazine, I did suggest they would be more expensive for the reasons you've given. I've another couple to try but we need to crack on with the work before our decorator starts.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

But more likely to turn up. I don't want to tar every tradesperson with the same brush, but guys I know will chase the ££. If a simple job is worth £60, it gets bumped and bumped and then forgotten.
A bigger firm with vans and employees is more likely to actually schedule the job into a planner, and then turn up

This is certainly our experience so far.

 

[CheeseRolls]

My experience of phoning round electricians in Shoreham, is that they all seem to have plenty of work. I have used Lancing Electrical Services a couple of times now and the work has been good, timely and not overly expensive.

 

[happypig]

Those I know charge £300-£350 for a full day, plus VAT if they're VAT registered

VAT ?