Can Light Price

[growler]

the homeowner told me he wired his entire basement and knows how to do electrical work.

When a homeowner tells you he knows how to do electrical work that's kind of a red flag.

I did a job for a guy that got his engineering degree over 30 years ago and never did the first day of electrical engineering, went on to become a software engineer. For some reason this guy was of the opinion that he knew what he was doing ( not one day in the field, ever).

The funny thing is that it was his wife that told me he had never worked as an electrical engineer, that he just like to talk about it.:-?

There are plenty of them out there just like the guy Aline is dealing with. Be interesting to know if that basement passed inspection or if success is based on the fact that the lights come on.

 

[iMuse97]

interesting to know if that basement passed inspection or if success is based on the fact that the lights come on.

Dealing with one right now where half the circuits in the home were added by the present homeowner as much as 30 years ago. Told him I would rewire where necessary, and he jumped on it. Guess he learned his limits. I'm doing quite a bit of rewiring, some abandonment of portions of systems, and he's still happy and still paying.

 

[aline]

The guy told me the only reason he doesn't drill the holes and fish the wire himself is because he doesn't have the right tools.

He can buy the tools a lot cheaper than hiring me.

I get this from time to time.

One guy called and said he installed all of his Cat5 cable and just needs it punched down on the termination block. He would do it himself except he doesn't have a puch down tool.

Needless to say he didn't like my price for this, as he put it five minute job.

 

[electricalperson]

how can he make any money by installing 6 recess lights with trim and lamp and a switch and all that wire and time for 300 dollars?

 

[satcom]

how can he make any money by installing 6 recess lights with trim and lamp and a switch and all that wire and time for 300 dollars?

Easy his wife has a really good job, we have a ton of them in my area, they can beat any price.

 

[A1cbr]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

 

[LarryFine]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

Hard to say. Main question: how hard will it be to get the switch legs from the wall into the ceiling?

 

[Rewire]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

flat rate for can install $85.00 with attic access
flat rate for switch install $75.00

7 x $85.00= $595.00
1 x $75.00= $75.00

total for job $ 675.00

 

[aline]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

You don't say whether or not this is new construction with open framing or if this is cutting them in and fishing wire. Either way though, in my opinion, this is too low, but that's just my opinion.

If I think the job is going to be a 5 hour job I'll base the job price on an 8 hour day. It may run over and I might not be able to complete another job that day. This might be the only revenue I get for the day. Also if I went out to look at the job on a previous day to give an estimate I need to make up for that time as well.

My price for six remodel sloped recessed can lights with white baffle trims was $140 each.
Sloped ceiling with no attic space & batt insulation in the ceiling joists.
This price is lower than what I would like to get for this type of fixture.
With the other work my price came to $1200.

No wonder he wants to buy his own cans.

 

[emahler]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

i can tell you that here in NJ, we would be around $1050 for that...roughly $150/can for old work...with attic access...we'll throw in the switch for free

 

[growler]

Ok I just did a estimate that included 7 6" recess cans, trims, bulbs, 50ft wire, double gang with two single pole decor switches.and 5 hours of labor. I gave a estimate $473, am I way to low? Just asking for advice.

Your profile says that you are an Electronic Component Researcher/electrician.

Are you a licensed electrician in the state of Georgia that's running a business or a researcher doing side work? Also what area of Georgia?

Just asking to get a better understanding of your price.

 

[A1cbr]

Yes I am a licensed electrician that is a one man shop.
I guess I need to update the profile its been a while.
I am in the Middle Georgia area.

 

[A1cbr]

Yes there is attic access this house is about 10 years old. As far as fishing wires down the wall should not be to difficult, it an interior wall with no insulation.

 

[growler]

Yes I am a licensed electrician that is a one man shop.
I guess I need to update the profile its been a while.
I am in the Middle Georgia area.

Here is a price list that I came across and have posted before. I think their prices for the most part are to cheap by it's something to start with.

Notice they have a set up fee of $72 just to start with and then a fee of $125 ea. for the cans and then a seperate fee for the switch.

http://www.ablegroup.net/pricelist.html

 

[A1cbr]

Thanks Growler.

 

[aline]

Here is a price list that I came across and have posted before. I think their prices for the most part are to cheap by it's something to start with.

Notice they have a set up fee of $72 just to start with and then a fee of $125 ea. for the cans and then a seperate fee for the switch.

http://www.ablegroup.net/pricelist.html

Also don't forget to look at the "Special Notes" for this list at the bottom of the list.
They also state that it's a guide to estimate the approximate cost.
To me this means the prices aren't set in stone and can vary some from job to job.
If you notice the trims and lamps are not included in the price of the recessed fixtures either.

 

[growler]

Also don't forget to look at the "Special Notes" for this list at the bottom of the list.
They also state that it's a guide to estimate the approximate cost.
To me this means the prices aren't set in stone and can vary some from job to job.
If you notice the trims and lamps are not included in the price of the recessed fixtures either.

If you notice they start out with the $72 set up fee and add $175 for permit and inspection. They also say a project must have at least five of the above to qualify for this type pricing.

Right off the bat I would say it's a good idea to get rid of their price for range and dryer circuits. Materials have went up enought that their price won't more than cover materials cost. And they sure as heck are not getting a dedicated circuit for $85.

It's just a place for someone to start to develope a price list. It does need some tweaking.

Their can light price is not that far off because it still ends up at around a grand for 7 cans and this is for an average height ceiling.

 

[aline]

If you notice they start out with the $72 set up fee and add $175 for permit and inspection. They also say a project must have at least five of the above to qualify for this type pricing.

Right off the bat I would say it's a good idea to get rid of their price for range and dryer circuits. Materials have went up enought that their price won't more than cover materials cost. And they sure as heck are not getting a dedicated circuit for $85.

It's just a place for someone to start to develope a price list. It does need some tweaking.

Their can light price is not that far off because it still ends up at around a grand for 7 cans and this is for an average height ceiling.

I would also assume these prices are the minimum it's going to cost and more than likely it will end up costing more than this minimum based on job conditions.