Pricing a Re-wire

[phil cook]

Hi All

I recently Qualified as a domestic Electrical Installer, I achieved my 2382, 2377 and awaiting my EAL certificate, I decided to try it "on my own" after several tried and failed job interviews and applications. I have had a few small jobs, Moving sockets, changing light fittings etc.

I have just been contacted and asked to Quote 2 jobs, the first is to supply and fit a new consumer unit, outside feed to bottom of garden and a new cooker point in kitchen, The second is a full re-wire, I am struggling with how you would start to price these, Obviously I have not been tolook at either job yet but wondered if there is a pricing guidline?? i,e, So much per socket/light switch, so much per metre of cable inc clips etc. Do you put a certain amount in for petrol costs etc etc, Obviously I dont want to over-qoute and lose the job but also dont want to come in too cheap as that will be expected for every future job.

I have not registered with a governing body purely due to the cost and not having the work for them to come and check.

Any info will be greatly recieved

Thank you

 

[robbalaar86]

You do know you have to inform labc yeah?

 

[telectrix]

or use the rewire as assessment then notify through the scam provider after.

 

[roukel01]

Hi All

I recently Qualified as a domestic Electrical Installer and decided to try it "on my own" after several tried and failed job interviews and applications. I have had a few small jobs, Moving sockets, changing light fittings etc.

I have just been contacted and asked to Quote 2 jobs, the first is to supply and fit a new consumer unit, outside feed to bottom of garden and a new cooker point in kitchen, The second is a full re-wire, I am struggling with how you would start to price these, Obviously I have not been tolook at either job yet but wondered if there is a pricing guidline?? i,e, So much per socket/light switch, so much per metre of cable inc clips etc. Do you put a certain amount in for petrol costs etc etc, Obviously I dont want to over-qoute and lose the job but also dont want to come in too cheap as that will be expected for every future job.

I have not registered with a governing body purely due to the cost and not having the work for them to come and check.

Any info will be greatly recieved

Thank you

If you do not know the answers to these questions then are you sure you should be "Going Alone"? Everyone has different methods of pricing jobs, and it basically comes down to experience and knowledge in the field.

 

[DNS1]

If it's your first board change I'd really highly recommend doing one in your own house first and getting that assessed...

 

[robbalaar86]

or use the rewire as assessment then notify through the scam provider after.

Yeah fair point telectrix.

The money you make from the re-wire will cover your costs for joining a scheme.

 

[DNS1]

How much real life experience do you have?

A rewire is by no means a simple thing, there are many many problems you are likely to encounter which you'll have learnt nothing about on the course...

 

[wade88]

I use to go on £40 a point, so 10 sockets, 10 lights, £800 - includes materials, time, travel and the like, its an all inclusive price. Some here will find that expensive, depends on what part of the world your in. Cambridgeshire i would say your safe to price between £35-40 per point. Always worked out fair for me and never had any negative feedback.

I would say however, if your new and still getting your feet under the table, taking on a re-wire solo is a SERIOUS mistake. You won't hit target time deadlines, you inevitably hit issues you wouldn't perceive upon initial surveys, it's a lot of work to accomplish on your own let alone being new to the game, some jobs just need a second pair of hands, simple as that. I would suggest you re-consider diving head first into a full re-wire, and if you get the job, have your paper work perfect, - DO NOT lift a tool in anger until you have a contract of works written out and signed by the customer outlining every tiny detail about the job, i made this mistake, ended up in court and month and months of ball ache trying to get my money out of the scrotum who decided not to pay.

As already said, change your own board, get to grips with that side of things, and search for an experienced helping hand to help out with the re-wire if you get it. You'll need it mate.

best of luck

 

[DNS1]

Other thing to insist on in writing, is a nice empty house...

Did a lighting circuit a while back and it took 3 times longer than it should, due to the amount of clutter in the house.

Was for a friend so it wasn't a problem, if it had been a normal client I'd have walked away.

 

[phil cook]

I have enquired with local building control and they're cheaper than first thought, I like to think I have good real life experience, I thank you all for your comments, it seems i have some thinking to do, lol

 

[markc123]

Hi All

I recently Qualified as a domestic Electrical Installer, I achieved my 2382, 2377 and awaiting my EAL certificate, I decided to try it "on my own" after several tried and failed job interviews and applications. I have had a few small jobs, Moving sockets, changing light fittings etc.

I have just been contacted and asked to Quote 2 jobs, the first is to supply and fit a new consumer unit, outside feed to bottom of garden and a new cooker point in kitchen, The second is a full re-wire, I am struggling with how you would start to price these, Obviously I have not been tolook at either job yet but wondered if there is a pricing guidline?? i,e, So much per socket/light switch, so much per metre of cable inc clips etc. Do you put a certain amount in for petrol costs etc etc, Obviously I dont want to over-qoute and lose the job but also dont want to come in too cheap as that will be expected for every future job.

I have not registered with a governing body purely due to the cost and not having the work for them to come and check.

Any info will be greatly recieved

Thank you

After debating, and deleting what ive wrote several times out fear that i may just get banned. I'll make it short...you can use the term Qualified very loosley, 5weeks is a joke - you need onsite experience as a mate and not to be going it alone straight away, with all due respect you know F all and you'll come unstuck very soon on a re-wire. Get a electricians mate job and learn the trade - it takes years and not weeks.

Saying that - you'll take 0 notice of what i've just said, so good luck.

Apologies if you've been working as an electricians mate for the past Xamount of years -so this will mean you do have some understanding - if this is the case, you should of included it in your post.

 

[rmc86uk]

You do not mention anything in your post about practical experience that you have in this industry?

Forgive me if I'm totally wrong but 2382 taught you how to work your way around a book and 2377 taught you PAT.

 

[funkymonkeytwo]

or use the rewire as assessment then notify through the scam provider after.

That wouldn't work I registered at the beginning of December had my pre assessment on the 20th of December everything was a ok, my assessment took place 18th of march, there is a long waiting list :-(

 

[Octopus]

If I were you and you wanted to go for the rewire I'd suggest you get an experienced sparky to work with you or else you could end up in a right mess. Its not that easy!

 

[robbalaar86]

Can't you have the assessment on work you have done in the last 12 months?

 

[MDJ]

Gosh, Crazy Crazy Crazy, what next?

 

[funkymonkeytwo]

Can't you have the assessment on work you have done in the last 12 months?

Your jobs to be assessed have to have been undertaken in the last 6 months and any work completed has to be part p notified and certificate with the customer within 30 days of completion

 

[robbalaar86]

Can't you have the assessment on work you have done in the last 12 months?

Your jobs to be assessed have to have been undertaken in the last 6 months and any work completed has to be part p notified and certificate with the customer within 30 days of completion

I stand corrected funky.

 

[funkymonkeytwo]

I stand corrected funky.[/QUOTE]

Just another excuse to rob us sparks of our hard grafted cash :-(

 

[Des 56]

Price the material quantity,estimate the amount of man days that it will take,add on a percentage to cover the costs of self employment,insurance tax,fuel and vehicle, tools etc and there is your figure

How many rewires have you assisted with to date ?
it would possibly be necessary to have done at least, say, a hundred, before reaching up to the level of a solo job.thats especially so if the house is occupied and the system has to be constructed and running as the old is being replaced

 

[robbalaar86]

I stand corrected funky.

Just another excuse to rob us sparks of our hard grafted cash :-([/QUOTE]
Tax the working man
Lower his wage
Tax him some more
Install expensive scheme

 

[trev]

If I were you and you wanted to go for the rewire I'd suggest you get an experienced sparky to work with you or else you could end up in a right mess. Its not that easy!

Oh come on Murdoch, it's only a few wires. What can possibly go wrong? Now excuse me I have to go earn my £50K

 

[BertUK]

I use to go on £40 a point, so 10 sockets, 10 lights, £800 - includes materials, time, travel and the like, its an all inclusive price. Some here will find that expensive, depends on what part of the world your in. Cambridgeshire i would say your safe to price between £35-40 per point. Always worked out fair for me and never had any negative feedback.

I would say however, if your new and still getting your feet under the table, taking on a re-wire solo is a SERIOUS mistake. You won't hit target time deadlines, you inevitably hit issues you wouldn't perceive upon initial surveys, it's a lot of work to accomplish on your own let alone being new to the game, some jobs just need a second pair of hands, simple as that. I would suggest you re-consider diving head first into a full re-wire, and if you get the job, have your paper work perfect, - DO NOT lift a tool in anger until you have a contract of works written out and signed by the customer outlining every tiny detail about the job, i made this mistake, ended up in court and month and months of ball ache trying to get my money out of the scrotum who decided not to pay.

As already said, change your own board, get to grips with that side of things, and search for an experienced helping hand to help out with the re-wire if you get it. You'll need it mate.

best of luck[/QUOTE

This sounds like a bad way to quote for a full rewire. £40 per point so lets say 10 sockets down and 10 sockets up £800. 6 lights + switches down and the same upstairs gets you another £960, in total £1760, last full rewire i did the materials alone cost me just over £800 that would leave me £960 for me and my apprentice for about 5 days wages,he gets £50 per day which would leave me with £710 for the week.....take off fuel anything up to £75 for the week, so im already down to near on £600 for a week, nat insurance and tax taken off im down to £450. I would price as you do for just adding extra sockets or lights to an existing installation but on a full rewire its not the same. take into account the materials you would use on a full rewire against just adding a couple of sockets for someone. clips,capping 10mm bonding for gas and water,new tails and main earth,consumer unit,3 core and earth for 2 way lighting or singles if preffered.it all adds up and makes the price a lot different.

 

[trev]

Bert, what you don't put in to your calcs there is a cooker sw @ 2 points. a shower @2 points. smokes @2 points Then whatever you charge for the CU etc so it's not as cut and dried as you put it mate

 

[BertUK]

Bert, what you don't put in to your calcs there is a cooker sw @ 2 points. a shower @2 points. smokes @2 points Then whatever you charge for the CU etc so it's not as cut and dried as you put it mate

not every house has an electric shower mate and ive had customers have full rewires and not want smokes put in either and also no cooker point as they are all gas for cooking. its not mandatory to put cooker points or smokes in on a full rewire so take this into consideration and you are already down by £240,also if you read wade88,s post he states £40 per outlet all inclusive,no mention of a consumer unit so if he came to price me up for a full rewire and said £40 per outlet all in then I would assume the CU is included in his price.

 

[trev]

Yeah I know and to a point (no pun intended) I agree. I always price a rewire on materials + time but each to their own. What works for me might not work for everyone

 

[BertUK]

Yeah I know and to a point (no pun intended) I agree. I always price a rewire on materials + time but each to their own. What works for me might not work for everyone

totally agree trev that's why it struck me as a bad way to price for a full rewire,its something that needs to be planned and agreed or you can end up seriously out of pocket,and we sparks are having it quite rough as it is.

 

[telectrix]

or price per bedroom at £1k each. you won't be far out. assuming no fancy stuff.

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

I use to go on £40 a point......
best of luck

Cut as doesn't need a full quote but an excellent post wade88

 

[Toonlad]

Get a quote off British gas, and do it for £500 less.

 

[trev]

Get a quote off British gas, and do it for £500 less.

Cracking idea mate

 

[wade88]

Sorry Bert i didnt make that point very clear. If i was going to replace a light fitting or a socket as a one off, I would not include material costs into the quote, simply charge £40 as it would be close to an hours work and generally covers most aspects involved.

In regards to a re-wire i certainly include material costs on top but still maintain the £40 a point pricing structure, otherwise yes you'd be doing a whole lot of grafting for not much take home! No one likes that work ethic

 

[Dave 85]

Price the material quantity,estimate the amount of man days that it will take,add on a percentage to cover the costs of self employment,insurance tax,fuel and vehicle, tools etc and there is your figure

How many rewires have you assisted with to date ?
it would possibly be necessary to have done at least, say, a hundred, before reaching up to the level of a solo job.thats especially so if the house is occupied and the system has to be constructed and running as the old is being replaced

A hundred???
WTF???
What kind of person needs to have been on a hundred rewires in order to know how to do one??? If somebody still doesnt know how to pull floorboards, drill joists, chase walls and poke cables around after being on 50 rewires I'd say its time for them to get a job on the bins....

I have a friend who rewired his own house, (a big one) after doing a 5 week DI course. He had no experience. It was top notch. Slightly over-engineered, and probably took him a long time but I could barely fault it.
Im not saying everyone is capable of this (this guy is one of the rare beings these days who was fortunate enough to be born with a brain) but come on....its not....rocket science....

 

[Dave 85]

I use to go on £40 a point, so 10 sockets, 10 lights, £800 - includes materials, time, travel and the like, its an all inclusive price. Some here will find that expensive, depends on what part of the world your in. Cambridgeshire i would say your safe to price between £35-40 per point. Always worked out fair for me and never had any negative feedback.

I would say however, if your new and still getting your feet under the table, taking on a re-wire solo is a SERIOUS mistake. You won't hit target time deadlines, you inevitably hit issues you wouldn't perceive upon initial surveys, it's a lot of work to accomplish on your own let alone being new to the game, some jobs just need a second pair of hands, simple as that. I would suggest you re-consider diving head first into a full re-wire, and if you get the job, have your paper work perfect, - DO NOT lift a tool in anger until you have a contract of works written out and signed by the customer outlining every tiny detail about the job, i made this mistake, ended up in court and month and months of ball ache trying to get my money out of the scrotum who decided not to pay.

As already said, change your own board, get to grips with that side of things, and search for an experienced helping hand to help out with the re-wire if you get it. You'll need it mate.

best of luck[/QUOTE

This sounds like a bad way to quote for a full rewire. £40 per point so lets say 10 sockets down and 10 sockets up £800. 6 lights + switches down and the same upstairs gets you another £960, in total £1760, last full rewire i did the materials alone cost me just over £800 that would leave me £960 for me and my apprentice for about 5 days wages,he gets £50 per day which would leave me with £710 for the week.....take off fuel anything up to £75 for the week, so im already down to near on £600 for a week, nat insurance and tax taken off im down to £450. I would price as you do for just adding extra sockets or lights to an existing installation but on a full rewire its not the same. take into account the materials you would use on a full rewire against just adding a couple of sockets for someone. clips,capping 10mm bonding for gas and water,new tails and main earth,consumer unit,3 core and earth for 2 way lighting or singles if preffered.it all adds up and makes the price a lot different.

Im not sure at which point you saw Wade 88 state that everything that isnt a socket or a pendant is free...
Obviously, C/U, bonding, extractors, oven + hob circuit, outside lights, 2 way switching, spot lights, under unit lights, Immersion heaters, central heating, TV points, telephones etc etc etc are going to bring the price of a 2 up 2 down to nearer the 3k mark.
Having said that I'd usually go in minimum £50 per point and £100 for a pendant and switch

Personally I swear by price per point on domestic jobs. If there are circumstances which will make the job more time consuming ie: occupied house/egineering bricks/long travel etc just put the price up 20% or so. I always give the client a full itemised quote with terms at the bottom and nowadays I get them to sign it as a contract. Never had a dispute over an invoice.
Invariably what you quote for and what you end up installing are not the same thing and with an itemised price per point quote any variations are easy to charge for.

I'd usually expect to make £300-£400 a day using this method after paying the mate/labourer and the cost of materials.

 

[wade88]

Last re-wire i did broke down like this:

qty	description	unit price	line total
18	Sockets @ £40 per item	£720
25	Down lights @ £40 per item	£1000
6	Pendant lights @ £40 per item	£240
6	TV points (RG6) @ £40 per item	£240
2	Fire alarms @ £40 per item	£80
1	New 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Edition RCD protected split load Consumer unit	£400
1	Bonding to incoming utilities	£150
12	Switch points @ 25 per item	£300
1	Repair damaged shower circuit	£100
1	Feed to outside security light	£40
-	Material costs	£1075
	Subtotal	£4345
	Sales Tax	--
	Total

I was £3000 cheaper than the two earlier quotes they had been given. Welcome to the south

 

[DNS1]

A hundred???
WTF???
What kind of person needs to have been on a hundred rewires in order to know how to do one??? If somebody still doesnt know how to pull floorboards, drill joists, chase walls and poke cables around after being on 50 rewires I'd say its time for them to get a job on the bins...

Agreed mate...

It's where "amount" of experience really isn't black and white...

I know people who capable of doing a full re-wire after a few jobs, and others who I wouldn't trust to wire a plug after years...

 

[bigbaddave]

Get a quote off British gas, and do it for £500 less.

I love them jobs.. I have had british gas out to quote for the work.... £$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$£$.. I have the job...

Personally I dont waste time messing around with points Etc.. assuming white plastic then you know roughly what the materials cost add a few hundres then whack a daily rate on.. Unless its a pig of a job then i add more..

Ohh and lat and plaster.... add 2k.......... Job done.. this must be week 6 training is it?

 

[Dave 85]

Last re-wire i did broke down like this:

qty	description	unit price	line total
18	Sockets @ £40 per item	£720
25	Down lights @ £40 per item	£1000
6	Pendant lights @ £40 per item	£240
6	TV points (RG6) @ £40 per item	£240
2	Fire alarms @ £40 per item	£80
1	New 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Edition RCD protected split load Consumer unit	£400
1	Bonding to incoming utilities	£150
12	Switch points @ 25 per item	£300
1	Repair damaged shower circuit	£100
1	Feed to outside security light	£40
-	Material costs	£1075
	Subtotal	£4345
	Sales Tax	--
	Total

I was £3000 cheaper than the two earlier quotes they had been given. Welcome to the south

Gotta love the south eh wade
I did a job near you (West clandon) recently.
So...out of interest...your price per point is for labour only? Not seen it done like that before. My worry is they'd ask how long it was gonna take then work out what you're making a day and then decide that you're a money grabbing **nt (which of course I am)

 

[Adam W]

I also go with the 'expenses + day rate + a bit more = price' method for jobs like this, not that I do many of them.
I would agree that taking on a rewire straight out of training is diving in at the deep end, maybe even asking for trouble. You might be able to get all the lights to come on and the sockets to work, but the chances are you'll think back on it after a bit more experience and cringe at all the mistakes you unknowingly made.

 

[wade88]

Gotta love the south eh wade
I did a job near you (West clandon) recently.
So...out of interest...your price per point is for labour only? Not seen it done like that before. My worry is they'd ask how long it was gonna take then work out what you're making a day and then decide that you're a money grabbing **nt (which of course I am)

Haha, yes for labour only. But like i said, the two guys who quoted before me were £3k up on mine, so it was a no brainer for the client in the end (the fact they ran out of money during the renovations is a different story). I use to live in High Wycombe, Princess court off London road at the top end of the Rye. Moved back down this way a couple of years ago. Spent many a night in the Antelope or Nags head before it closed down. For all its faults, i do miss the place a little.

 

[wade88]

And i had a guy subbed on this job, so had to pay him too.

 

[drew35]

Didn't they tell you on the Electrical Trainee course that the maximum a Electrical Trainee can charge for a house rewire is £999.00 all inclusive???? Otherwise you're breaking the law!!!!

 

[wade88]

haha look, as discussed before, i am an 8ww, i have improved privileges than those inferior Electrical Trainee's. How very dare you

 

[MDJ]

with the outbreak of 7 day wonders now wade, 8 weeks training is something we may not see again, it's a 7 day part p course from now on.

 

[wade88]

Consider me a seasoned expert then Mike