What would you have charged?

[mdshunk]

Was all this known to You walking in the door, was it a Carte-blanc, Fix it!

Obviously, I can't speak for him, but this is how I roll... If a customer calls me, I arrive, and they show me a bunch of work, I'm going to do it. If they didn't care to ask for an estimate up front, I don't feel inclined to offer one. I take my cars and trucks in for repairs all the time, and very darned rarely do I have any idea what the bill is going to be when I pick it up. Same idea.

 

[celtic]

Old house with dank and dusty basement.

1. Two new circuits (50')to the kitchen with total of four outlets, including two GFCIs. Spot above counter was gutted.

2. New circuit (50') to fridge, including new 20A duplex and plate.

3. Change out old broken receptacle.

$917.29 (includes a 1.25% PITA factor ~. " dank and dusty basement" )

4. Spend two hours tracing out circuits.

5. Pull back capped off NM in box just dangling in the wall in adjacent apartment and cap down in JB in basement.

6. Double gang box - one circuit is going to a switch, but doesn't switch anything - so pull it back down in to basement and cap in JB. Other circuit is switch to over the counter light - install new single gang old work box, and replace with new switch and cover.

$475 (assuming appx. 4 manhours and misc. material)

*********
$917.29
$475.00
$1392.29


(Now I'll go back and read the other responses )

EDIT TO ADD:
Time for items 1-2-3 = 5.75 manhours; includes trip time, material purchase and handling, etc
Time for items 4-5-6 = 4 manhours as indicated

NO time allotted for permits and inspections.

Total time as indicated = 9.75 manhours.

 

[Paul B]

I'm right around $1000. I agree you are way low.

 

[Sparky555]

I'd guess $1200 with a note that I'm not counting 2 hours tracing circuits. It's a kitchen with existing outlets. Finding the circuits is very short work. I can label a 40 circuit panel in an hour. What exactly were you doing for 2 hours?

 

[bjp_ne_elec]

Sparky555 - in that one hour, do you have an assistant, and what method are you using? Do you have a circuit tracer? Curious.

 

[TOOL_5150]

In CA, I would have charged 1200 to 1300 dollars. 1 day of work.
Not including permits, inspections.


~Matt

 

[Sparky555]

Sparky555 - in that one hour, do you have an assistant, and what method are you using? Do you have a circuit tracer? Curious.

A $30 hardware store plug-in tracer, although a few kitchen outlets could be done in a few minutes with an extension cord & a clamp light if you can't afford the $30.

The real problem here IMO is that you didn't offer a contract in advance, so he got the price-shock at the end. The job is done, your leverage is gone, it's negotiating time.

 

[growler]

Got some grumbling when I handed the bill over - so just want to see what some of you would ball park this effort at.

Grumbling about the bill happens all the time and I wouldn't worry about it. You really can't get cheap enough so that a few people don't grumble. If you had only charged $400 for this same job they would have grumbled and if you had charged $900 for this job the people would grumble. The only difference is it's much easier to put up with for $900. So charge whatever the job is worth and let them grumble. Wringing tears out of checks is all part of the job.

By the way you didn't charge to much. :smile:

 

[bjp_ne_elec]

Sparky555 - not following why you say "your leverage is gone".

 

[celtic]

Sparky555 - not following why you say "your leverage is gone".

I think he may be saying...since a price was not agreed upon at the start of the project, the price can be adjusted at the end of the project ~ by either party.
At which point, what are you to do?
You can't not do the job it's done.
Rip out the material if the payment doesn't meet your expectation?

 

[jmsbrush]

I came up with $1336.00

 

[iaov]

I'ld charge around $900.00.

 

[stud696981]

In Michigan I came up with $1,125, that included a basic repair permit. Without I would do it for $1000.

 

[Rich R]

Between $1200 and $1400

bjp_ne_elec are you a contractor ? or is this a side job ?

 

[tonyou812]

$1090 but this doesnt include any permit fees. How long did the last two things take you to do? I just estimated the time for them since I havent seen the job.

 

[mdshunk]

$1090 but this doesnt include any permit fees. How long did the last two things take you to do? I just estimated the time for them since I havent seen the job.

I think he said in an earlier post, 5-1/2 hours.

 

[tonyou812]

I figured an hour and a half for the last two items but if it took longer than it would be a bit more. I agree with another poster you really cant get hung up with other peoples bid but at the same time you dont want to "bite you nose off" to get the work....

 

[JohnE]

Between $1200 and $1400

bjp_ne_elec are you a contractor ? or is this a side job ?

He is a legitimate contractor.

 

[Sparky555]

Sparky555 - not following why you say "your leverage is gone".

"You were only here 5.5 hours. I can get any electrician for $40/hour. The materials were only $75. This should be about $295!"

What's your comeback? If you had a signed contract for $1k, time & materials are a non-issue. You completed the contract.

 

[GUNNING]

From the sound of it about $800. A day of work. 4 to 8 hours. $120 to $425 materials. This might be a bit low if Arc Faults are used or GFCI breakers or receptacles. Depends on the loads. I'm used to attic work around here, a basement with stairs maybe some light, would be a luxury. Dust, well does white lung mean anything to you?
Just kidding, Dirt goes with the territory. My wife looks at me and says with a sadistic grin " its a chosen profession." I need to fire the starter wife and get something with less miles.
They argue about price I tell them write me a check for half of what I asked for, now, and and we are done, dont call me again. I live in a small town. Word will get around. Contractor that ripped out the wall will need to get paid too. Plumber etc... It would be worse than red tagging a job.