Screwless plates versus Standard

[sfav8r]

We are just getting ready to trimout a house and the architect at the last minute decided to specify Lutron Screwless plates in a custom color. He mentioned to the HO that they are "a few cents more each." Well, it turns out that they are more like 400% more depending upon what you're ordering.

Standard Dacora GFCI receptacle goes for about $12, Biscuit Lutron Satin $39
Standard Dacora duplex receptacle goes for about $2, Biscuit Lutron Satin $13.94
Standard Decora 5G plate $6, Lutron Satin Biscuit $42!!!

This job ends up being about $3,000 more MY COST for materials. Not an insignificant amount. My question is regarding installation labor. My estimating program shows the exact same time for a standard plate vs. a screwless plate. I haven't done large quantites of these in recent memory, but I do recall them taking longer...back plate, then device then cover plate. Especially where there are multi-gangs.

Any thoughts on the difference in installation time?

Thanks

 

[ceb58]

We are just getting ready to trimout a house and the architect at the last minute decided to specify Lutron Screwless plates in a custom color. He mentioned to the HO that they are "a few cents more each." Well, it turns out that they are more like 400% more depending upon what you're ordering.

Standard Dacora GFCI receptacle goes for about $12, Biscuit Lutron Satin $39
Standard Dacora duplex receptacle goes for about $2, Biscuit Lutron Satin $13.94
Standard Decora 5G plate $6, Lutron Satin Biscuit $42!!!

This job ends up being about $3,000 more MY COST for materials. Not an insignificant amount. My question is regarding installation labor. My estimating program shows the exact same time for a standard plate vs. a screwless plate. I haven't done large quantites of these in recent memory, but I do recall them taking longer...back plate, then device then cover plate. Especially where there are multi-gangs.

Any thoughts on the difference in installation time?

Thanks

You should add a little for labor but you need to get the price together and do a change order with the price. Show it to the HO's and get them to sign off before you sink any money and more time in getting the material.

 

[Fulthrotl]

We are just getting ready to trimout a house and the architect at the last minute decided to specify Lutron Screwless plates in a custom color. He mentioned to the HO that they are "a few cents more each." Well, it turns out that they are more like 400% more depending upon what you're ordering.

Standard Dacora GFCI receptacle goes for about $12, Biscuit Lutron Satin $39
Standard Dacora duplex receptacle goes for about $2, Biscuit Lutron Satin $13.94
Standard Decora 5G plate $6, Lutron Satin Biscuit $42!!!

This job ends up being about $3,000 more MY COST for materials. Not an insignificant amount. My question is regarding installation labor. My estimating program shows the exact same time for a standard plate vs. a screwless plate. I haven't done large quantites of these in recent memory, but I do recall them taking longer...back plate, then device then cover plate. Especially where there are multi-gangs.

Any thoughts on the difference in installation time?

Thanks

multi gangs are faster. a six gang is a pita with a regular plate,
but with a screwless one, get everything lashed together, a bit loose,
and snap the top on.... quicker.

 

[Fulthrotl]

You should add a little for labor but you need to get the price together and do a change order with the price. Show it to the HO's and get them to sign off before you sink any money and more time in getting the material.

+1
"a few cents more......" take off the price of the plates, add your markup, and present the $3,544 adder to the customer.
get it signed before ordering.

 

[sfav8r]

Thanks for the replies. I have submitted the pricing and will see what they say. Another pain about these is if someone changes a light fixture spec. and now you need an ELV instead of a toggle or whatever, you can't just walk out to the van and grab the correct one. I guess I wouldn't be so whiny if I actually liked the way they looked. Personally I would like to do lexan instead of sheetrock in my house so all that nice electrical work would be visible.

 

[big john]

...Personally I would like to do lexan instead of sheetrock in my house so all that nice electrical work would be visible.

I dunno: You know what they say about people who live in Lexan houses? They can throw all the stones they want because that stuff is darn near unbreakable.

 

[curt swartz]

We install a lot of Lutron devices. I never charge additional labor. As Randy said they are easier for multi gang since you can install the back plate while the devices are loose then adjust/tighten and snap the finish plate on. They are also easier on wood/tile/stone surfaces since you don't have to cut the plate screws down.

As far as changing a dimmer after its installed you don't need to order the replacement in the same color. Just pick up a white dimmer and swap the face plates.

Lutron devices are expensive but the prices you quoted are a little high. Looks like your supplier is selling them to you at the "cash sale" price. Tell them to sharpen their pencils or get another quote.