General price code guide for Electricians

[Sparky10]

Hi,

I just wanted to know I there I a general price electricians are suppose to charge for certain domestic jobs in London
as ive been told plumbers have a code so they do not undercut each other.

Just wondering if electricians have this code too? If so what are the price range for most jobs & is it right to charge call out fees?

Thanks Guys

 

[Octopus]

I hope you aren't holding your breath as I can't imaging many people volunteering pricing on a public forum.

 

[Guest666]

This is the strangest thing that I have ever heard. Surely I want to undercut my competitors.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Behave, it's dog eat dog in our trade lol. Even though it would be nice to work to some kind of pricing structure so people didn't under cut each other but that is living in a dream world IMO.

 

[Octopus]

This is the strangest thing that I have ever heard. Surely I want to undercut my competitors.

Why??? I want to make a decent profit each month.

If you join the race to the bottom you will be a very busy, poor, fool.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Haha.......

 

[Guest666]

Why??? I want to make a decent profit each month.

If you join the race to the bottom you will be a very busy, poor, fool.

It is rarely I hear a client say. "I would like to use you because you are the dearest". Ideally undercut by a nats c**k but it is still undercutting all the same.

 

[Guest666]

It is rarely I hear a client say. "I would like to use you because you are the dearest". Ideally undercut by a nats c**k but it is still undercutting all the same.

And also no work due to not winning any tenders means no profit.

 

[davesparks]

It is rarely I hear a client say. "I would like to use you because you are the dearest". Ideally undercut by a nats c**k but it is still undercutting all the same.

I often hear things more along the lines of 'you were the more expensive quote but we'd still like to use you because you come highly recommended/have been the most helpful/made the best impression' etc etc

 

[Sparky10]

Well I doubt there are electricians who charge £500 for a full re wire of a 3 bed!?
or £100For fuse board change

so in theory there is a GENERL guide surely

 

[Anthony S]

Hi,

I just wanted to know I there I a general price electricians are suppose to charge for certain domestic jobs in London
as ive been told plumbers have a code so they do not undercut each other.

Just wondering if electricians have this code too? If so what are the price range for most jobs & is it right to charge call out fees?

Thanks Guys

Charge what your happy with and don'y worry about other's.

 

[Guest666]

I often hear things more along the lines of 'you were the more expensive quote but we'd still like to use you because you come highly recommended/have been the most helpful/made the best impression' etc etc

Well that is great. Says a lot about you.

We we work within the public sector so although we sometimes get away with single tender opportunities due to reputation unfortunately most of the time at least 3 quotes are required. There are other things that occur to ensure we get the price but I could not possible comment here. Lol!

 

[Andy78]

It is rarely I hear a client say. "I would like to use you because you are the dearest". Ideally undercut by a nats c**k but it is still undercutting all the same.

I never aim to be the cheapest, because ideally I can do without customers that take the cheapest quote.

I usually say to customers when quoting against others "I can pretty much guarantee I won't be the cheapest, but I do aim to be the best value. The job will be on time, to the exact spec I quoted for, and I won't try and make up a cheap quote by creaming the extras" Or words to that effect.

I have had customers ask me to quote to an exact specification, only for them to take a quote that is £200 cheaper that has omitted £800 worth of the original spec. I leave tradesmen and clients like that to each other and concentrate on doing a quality job for a reasonable price.

 

[Andy78]

Well that is great. Says a lot about you.

We we work within the public sector so although we sometimes get away with single tender opportunities due to reputation unfortunately most of the time at least 3 quotes are required. There are other things that occur to ensure we get the price but I could not possible comment here. Lol!

That's a bit different then. I know that game can be all about undercutting as sometimes the cheapest quote is the one that is obliged to be taken on.

 

[marc8]

Hi all
we had job quite a fews years back asked to quote kitchen electrics down lights ect, I priced whole job the lot, told by the builder I was over double, I was shocked could not believe it would have been first job for him so I did not go over board on costs.
Any how 6 months later got a call from owner asked to see me very embarrassed about using the other contractor & could I help them out so I went to have a look, was not even the same job I had to move things for them that were in my quote. Any how I asked about the difference as you do & after all the extra's there was not even 10 pence in it & a totally different job to mine ( mine more customer friendly). Now I charge what I think is fair & if they want to use a cheaper quote I always which them the best & should they need us in the future they know where we are.
Most of the time I win the jobs & any that don't want it no problem, but I don't budge on the price unless it is peanuts in it.

 

[Guest666]

That's a bit different then. I know that game can be all about undercutting as sometimes the cheapest quote is the one that is obliged to be taken on.

There are other things like H&S history and methology but price usually trumps all.

 

[Octopus]

Just make sure your estimate clearly states what they are getting for their money and leave the client to decide.

I can normally tell from visiting the client if they are serious and if they want a proper job done!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I think when clients want electrical work undertaken they are swayed more by the confidence they have in the electrician rather than the price.

Price obviously still plays a part, particularly with some customers, but I think its better (as most others have said) to give an accurate/sensible quote even though that means losing some jobs sometimes. You will slowly build up a reputation this way as doing a good job.

I'm sure theres a study somewhere that shows in some industries (or products) people actually want to pay a higher price because they then perceive they are getting a better product/service. Price yourself too low and people may think the quality of your work is relative to the price you charge.

 

[Marvo]

.... ive been told plumbers have a code so they do not undercut each other.

This would be know as price collusion and it would be illegal where I live as would other anti-competitive behaviour such as loss leadering etc..

**edit** Even the Sheep code would not be permitted here under the collusion legislation.

 

[Welchyboy1]

I never aim to be the cheapest, because ideally I can do without customers that take the cheapest quote.

I usually say to customers when quoting against others "I can pretty much guarantee I won't be the cheapest, but I do aim to be the best value. The job will be on time, to the exact spec I quoted for, and I won't try and make up a cheap quote by creaming the extras" Or words to that effect.

I have had customers ask me to quote to an exact specification, only for them to take a quote that is £200 cheaper that has omitted £800 worth of the original spec. I leave tradesmen and clients like that to each other and concentrate on doing a quality job for a reasonable price.

Exactly how i trade, always aim to provide the best value and service, but never the cheapest price

undercutting others to win work is a mugs game, your always gonna be poor, stressed out and wondering why lifes such hard work

When your the cheapest quote you tend to always win work from cheap customers too, decent clients would tend to be suspicious of the cheapest price

for local authorites however cheapest quote wins, which is why i dont work for them anymore

 

[Welchyboy1]

I never aim to be the cheapest, because ideally I can do without customers that take the cheapest quote.

I usually say to customers when quoting against others "I can pretty much guarantee I won't be the cheapest, but I do aim to be the best value. The job will be on time, to the exact spec I quoted for, and I won't try and make up a cheap quote by creaming the extras" Or words to that effect.

I have had customers ask me to quote to an exact specification, only for them to take a quote that is £200 cheaper that has omitted £800 worth of the original spec. I leave tradesmen and clients like that to each other and concentrate on doing a quality job for a reasonable price.

Exactly how i trade, always aim to provide the best value and service, but never the cheapest price

undercutting others to win work is a mugs game, your always gonna be poor, stressed out and wondering why lifes such hard work

When your the cheapest quote you tend to always win work from cheap customers too, decent clients would tend to be suspicious of the cheapest price

mostly the way you sell yourself will win or loose you the job

for local authorites however cheapest quote wins, which is why i dont work for them anymore

 

[Adam W]

You charge what you need to charge to make a profit.
A brand new DBS is a car, and a 10 year old Corsa is a car, but they're not the same price.
The kind of customer who would buy the DBS is unlikely to go for the 10 year old Corsa just because it's cheaper.

 

[Dcf]

The plumbers round my way used to have a district federation who set their minimum charge.
try getting a plumber out with their rates and you simply couldn't!.
i charge what I think is a fair rate for a man of my (ahem) talents.
price doesn't really come into it for the bulk of my customers.
they want a tidy ,timely and efficient service which is what I give them most of the time!
i try not to get involved too much in contract works as I want more than a curly wurly and a packet of crisps for turning up
I leave that to others to fight over their perceived 3% profit margin

 

[Welchyboy1]

The plumbers round my way used to have a district federation who set their minimum charge.
try getting a plumber out with their rates and you simply couldn't!.
i charge what I think is a fair rate for a man of my (ahem) talents.
price doesn't really come into it for the bulk of my customers.
they want a tidy ,timely and efficient service which is what I give them most of the time!
i try not to get involved too much in contract works as I want more than a curly wurly and a packet of crisps for turning up
I leave that to others to fight over their perceived 3% profit margin

exactly as above, alot of my customers trust me enough they dont even ask for quotes and wont go to anyone else, i just send them a bill at the end and they are more than happy with that, cause they know what they will get in return

the best profit is in private work for good private customers, contracting for builders is good for filling your diary up when you first get started but leave them behind as soon as your busy enough not to need them

contracting was about 85% of my stress, as a sparky your just expected to fit in around everyone else, to builders yours is just a job thats a nuisance to be fitted in between the other main building works

also they dont like it when they realise your earning more than them on a job and will do their best to cut into your profit at every opportunity

The following is a bit off topic but it might be a thought for others in a similiar circumstance;

we recently had twin girls so last year for me was all about destressing and uncomplicating my life in order to have more family time

1st stop - no longer take on contracting work for builders and the like
2nd stop - no more employing people and taking on big jobs
3rd stop - no more taking on jobs further than 20 miles from my house
4th stop - Limit costs and time consuming overheads like constructionline, cis registration, employers
Ins., 30-60 day payments, method statements, riskassessments (hell part p might even be next)

Concertrating on smaller, fast turnover, quick paying local jobs

after a year my turnover was half of the year before, my net profit was 1/3 higher!

i also had my weekends and evenings back to a degree and my overheads were MUCH smaller

food for thought!

 

[PEG]

exactly as above, alot of my customers trust me enough they dont even ask for quotes and wont go to anyone else, i just send them a bill at the end and they are more than happy with that, cause they know what they will get in return

the best profit is in private work for good private customers, contracting for builders is good for filling your diary up when you first get started but leave them behind as soon as your busy enough not to need them

contracting was about 85% of my stress, as a sparky your just expected to fit in around everyone else, to builders yours is just a job thats a nuisance to be fitted in between the other main building works

also they dont like it when they realise your earning more than them on a job and will do their best to cut into your profit at every opportunity

The following is a bit off topic but it might be a thought for others in a similiar circumstance;

we recently had twin girls so last year for me was all about destressing and uncomplicating my life in order to have more family time

1st stop - no longer take on contracting work for builders and the like
2nd stop - no more employing people and taking on big jobs
3rd stop - no more taking on jobs further than 20 miles from my house
4th stop - Limit costs and time consuming overheads like constructionline, cis registration, employers
Ins., 30-60 day payments, method statements, riskassessments (hell part p might even be next)

Concertrating on smaller, fast turnover, quick paying local jobs

after a year my turnover was half of the year before, my net profit was 1/3 higher!

i also had my weekends and evenings back to a degree and my overheads were MUCH smaller

food for thought!

Top man,respect due,for seeing the bigger picture,and arranging things in order to enjoy the view!

As daft as it sounds,i would never recommend any one man (sole trader) to advertise.

You generally end up with the customers that cannot get a tradesman through the proper route,namely recommendation.

I have not advertised once,in all my time,and will side swerve a customer,if i get a "feeling",no matter who has passed them on.

A couple of my bigger,longstanding customers even stand "guarantor" for customers they pass on to me,thus ensuring the circle of trust remains pure...:conehead:

I really do feel for the lads who finally finish their training,and get set up to go SE,with the final expense being a rash of brazen advertising...then wait for all the triers to start ringing. It is usually after a continual run of these messers,wastrels and charlatans,that they go back on the books,their faith in human nature dented...

But,respect,Welchyboy,there are more important things,in heaven and earth,than reaching the centre of it,with an earth rod...
I had work to do Saturday....but i went Paintballing with me 13 year old and his pals instead...:joker::joker:

 

[Welchyboy1]

Top man,respect due,for seeing the bigger picture,and arranging things in order to enjoy the view!

As daft as it sounds,i would never recommend any one man (sole trader) to advertise.

You generally end up with the customers that cannot get a tradesman through the proper route,namely recommendation.

I have not advertised once,in all my time,and will side swerve a customer,if i get a "feeling",no matter who has passed them on.

A couple of my bigger,longstanding customers even stand "guarantor" for customers they pass on to me,thus ensuring the circle of trust remains pure...:conehead:

I really do feel for the lads who finally finish their training,and get set up to go SE,with the final expense being a rash of brazen advertising...then wait for all the triers to start ringing. It is usually after a continual run of these messers,wastrels and charlatans,that they go back on the books,their faith in human nature dented...

But,respect,Welchyboy,there are more important things,in heaven and earth,than reaching the centre of it,with an earth rod...
I had work to do Saturday....but i went Paintballing with me 13 year old and his pals instead...:joker::joker:

I hear you about the advertising, i think you have to, to a degree when your starting out, but that does NOT include the parasitic lead generating sites

i only have a free yell listing and a website(which is really for customer reference rather than a way of finding new work)

this does bring in a few good jobs a year but from the moment it went live my inbox has been continuously spammed, and cold calls everyday on my phone.....so annoying!