Hi, I'm new and need help!

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

Hiya everyone,

I need help as I've recently had a quote from a sparky and I don't think his costs add up, and want to be sure I'm not being diddled.

This was the quote minus the plumber costs for a shower installation, please note I don't have space on my CU for another RCD. The length of 2 core and earth needed is roughly 2-3m.

The sparky told me he would be better to buy the shower as he could get upto 60% off (plumber told me he would add on 10%, so would be 50% off new shower). I checked the shower model on the net and it goes for <£100.

Electrical materials including isolation switches as discussed yesterday.£140.00
Electrician labour charge £90.00
£230.00

Supply Mira 8.5kw (5893F) Jump shower unit £136.00

Can anyone tell me if this is right?

J

 

[amlu]

reasonable price on labour,
average on materials (but possibly a separate small cu, rcbo, henley block, meter tails will be needed)
£113 for that shower unit in screwfix.

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

I'm a little dubious as I can find most parts cheaper, also the plumber is asking for half the installation cost of the sparky. I noticed you are in London, does the parts cost more there (I'm guessing No, but just want to be sure).

So I guess I would be better to buy my own shower? No thoughts of being diddled if I do that.

 

[Jez Wilkins]

So I guess I would be better to buy my own shower? No thoughts of being diddled if I do that.

But if you supply the shower, then you are using your own time, wear/tear on your vehicle, petrol/diesel and money, rather than your electrician using his/hers. Is it not reasonable for your electrician to take account of these factors, somewhere within his/her quote, if they supply the shower for you?

Cheers,

Jez Wilkins

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

You have a good point Jez, overheads have to be taken into consideration. Though he did say he could get me 60% off as he is a tradesman, the overheads would not equate to £30 plus.

This is where trades are failing, as I've decided to install the electrics myself. The cost does not reflect the job, with the exception of £90 for his time (even then I could do it faster for free).

 

[Andy78]

You have a good point Jez, overheads have to be taken into consideration. Though he did say he could get me 60% off as he is a tradesman, the overheads would not equate to £30 plus.

This is where trades are failing, as I've decided to install the electrics myself. The cost does not reflect the job, with the exception of £90 for his time (even then I could do it faster for free).

Do you have the experience and knowledge to know that the way you install it is safe ? Do you have the technical knowledge and equipment to test the installation to make sure it is safe and produce a certificate as is required by the wiring regulations ? Will you be notifying the work to building control as is required ?

That's what you are paying for at the end of the day. You are on about saving pence in the grand scheme of things.
On the face of it, the quote seems very reasonable, if erring on the cheap side. If I was quoting against that, I certainly wouldn't be dropping my price to beat it.

 

[Wes1000]

You have a good point Jez, overheads have to be taken into consideration. Though he did say he could get me 60% off as he is a tradesman, the overheads would not equate to £30 plus.

This is where trades are failing, as I've decided to install the electrics myself. I'm The cost does not reflect the job, with the exception of £90 for his time (even then I could do it faster for free).

dont forget the £200+ for notifying LABC if your not registered with a self cert scheme. This is, I asume, in a bathroom so is notifiable.

sorry Andy beat me to it.

 

[Octopus]

You have a good point Jez, overheads have to be taken into consideration. Though he did say he could get me 60% off as he is a tradesman, the overheads would not equate to £30 plus.

This is where trades are failing, as I've decided to install the electrics myself. The cost does not reflect the job, with the exception of £90 for his time (even then I could do it faster for free).

What do you do for a living? Do you give away your time for almost nothing.

We have mouths to feed, homes to provide, insurances and tools to buy, regs to regularly update, vehicle costs, the list goes on.

What we charge has to do all this and more and don't forget we don't get paid when we visit to look at your job, we don't get paid when we do quotes, we don't get paid when we go to the wholesalers.......

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

I have mouths to feed and a home to provide etc also, and I get minimum wage. I don't rob anyone so would not want anyone to rob me.
I did not ask for the quote, the plumber did.
To be fair, I've looked more into this and he has tried to rob me, saying he can get 60% off then charging me over the odds, so if you don't want to be tarred with the same brush, I would edit out the part where you said WE.

Cheers pal

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

End of the day guys, yes I can do it all myself. Install and tests, all I need to do is go to the local college and ask a registered tutor to sign it off.
Have a nice day.

 

[Octopus]

End of the day guys, yes I can do it all myself. Install and tests, all I need to do is go to the local college and ask a registered tutor to sign it off.
Have a nice day.

so you are a sparky then...... so why waste our time?

My guess is that the Plumber is adding a wedge to the sparkies pricing

 

[Andy78]

End of the day guys, yes I can do it all myself. Install and tests, all I need to do is go to the local college and ask a registered tutor to sign it off.
Have a nice day.

Including the legal requirement of building control notification ?

 

[Octopus]

I have mouths to feed and a home to provide etc also, and I get minimum wage. I don't rob anyone so would not want anyone to rob me.
I did not ask for the quote, the plumber did.
To be fair, I've looked more into this and he has tried to rob me, saying he can get 60% off then charging me over the odds, so if you don't want to be tarred with the same brush, I would edit out the part where you said WE.

Cheers pal

Really??

 

[Adam W]

Are the trades "failing"? This is news to me - the last time I checked I was earning quite a bit more than minimum wage, even without "diddling" anybody. Oh well, maybe I shouldn't have "messed about at school".

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

Trades are struggling up here I can tell you that.

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

Considering I can find the shower £30+ cheaper than him, also he can procure this 60% cheaper. Yes this is daylight robbery. Am I speaking to the masses or the idiots :/

 

[Andy78]

Trades are struggling up here I can tell you that.

Well they will be struggling what with all the penny pinching and DIY they have to put up with from customers.

 

[Octopus]

Trades are struggling up here I can tell you that.

Up where?

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

Also no I'm not a sparky, just very intelligent, I'm not wasting your time. You continue to reply.

 

[Jimmy Jim Jim]

Penny pinching true, there is a recession ongoing.