Pricing/Quoting jobs - Advice or tips from anyone??

[harrison2987]

Hi guys,

I have set up on my own and find quoting jobs a real struggle.

I have quoted for jobs in the past and won them, but wondered if anyone can offer any tips/advice on what to include, or how to price competitively without doing myself out of the job or out of pocket.

I always worry I will either be too high and loose the work, or too low and work for nothing.

An example of a job I am currently in the process of quoting for is as follows:

Rewire -2 up 2 down terraced house consisting of: Front lounge, back open plan kitchen dinner, hall, upstairs bathroom, bedroom 1 and 2, landing.

In total - 13 double sockets, 7 of which require chasing out
4 single sockets high and low level
6 pendants
1 bathroom light
4 1G switches, 2 2G switches, and 1 3G switch
3 TV aerial points
8 spot lights in the kitchen
1 cooker point and 1 low level outlet
Mains smoke alarms (thinking 3, heat in kitchen, optical and ionisation for hall and landing)
1 low voltage fan to be cored in bathroom
6 switched fuse spurs - 1 for boiler, 1 for fan, 4 for kitchen
1 baton lamp holder to go in loft
1 shaver socket
A new 10way C/U with test on installation


What would you say would be a competitive quote on a job like this? Or can you offer any advice on pricing up such a job?

I hope this thread will help any sparks who struggle with quotes etc. and feel more comfortable pricing jobs up.

Cheers!!

 

[johnsparks23]

If our struggling to price a job that straight forward, go work for a company and let them do the pricing.

 

[Guest77]

Hi guys,

I have set up on my own and find quoting jobs a real struggle.

I have quoted for jobs in the past and won them, but wondered if anyone can offer any tips/advice on what to include, or how to price competitively without doing myself out of the job or out of pocket.

I always worry I will either be too high and loose the work, or too low and work for nothing.

An example of a job I am currently in the process of quoting for is as follows:

Rewire -2 up 2 down terraced house consisting of: Front lounge, back open plan kitchen dinner, hall, upstairs bathroom, bedroom 1 and 2, landing.

In total - 13 double sockets, 7 of which require chasing out
4 single sockets high and low level
6 pendants
1 bathroom light
4 1G switches, 2 2G switches, and 1 3G switch
3 TV aerial points
8 spot lights in the kitchen
1 cooker point and 1 low level outlet
Mains smoke alarms (thinking 3, heat in kitchen, optical and ionisation for hall and landing)
1 low voltage fan to be cored in bathroom
6 switched fuse spurs - 1 for boiler, 1 for fan, 4 for kitchen
1 baton lamp holder to go in loft
1 shaver socket
A new 10way C/U with test on installation


What would you say would be a competitive quote on a job like this? Or can you offer any advice on pricing up such a job?

I hope this thread will help any sparks who struggle with quotes etc. and feel more comfortable pricing jobs up.

Cheers!!

We don't give out prices here unless you tell us your price first.

 

[gutterball]

work out price of materials
work out how long it will take
add a bit more for unseen's
that's your price
i don't worry about being under cut. i price the job to how much i think it will cost and if someone thinks they can do it cheaper good luck to them.

 

[harrison2987]

If our struggling to price a job that straight forward, go work for a company and let them do the pricing.

I was hoping for some constructive comments as this thread wasn't aimed at simply helping me, but anyone else who may struggle pricing jobs in general.

Thanks for your brilliant input : /

 

[Guest77]

I was hoping for some constructive comments as this thread wasn't aimed at simply helping me, but anyone else who may struggle pricing jobs in general.

Thanks for your brilliant input : /

Why should we do all the work for you, tell us your thoughts and your estimated price and why, then you will find we will all chip in and help, so try being constructive yourself lol

 

[Andy78]

I would second gutterball's advice above. I always price my jobs by adding up materials and estimating time. Estimating the time comes with experience and knowing your own work pace. It also comes with having a daily/hourly rate worked out before hand that incorporates your wage plus expenses and overheads.

I never find it easier to price by point as it was not the way I was taught, but some guys use it all the time. I find that it can lead to inaccuracies on larger jobs though.

 

[GMES]

Nobody is going to just spit prices out without some input from yourself, tell us what you would quote, and we will offer up our thoughts.

 

[harrison2987]

Nobody is going to just spit prices out without some input from yourself, tell us what you would quote, and we will offer up our thoughts.

Ok fair point,

I would quote around £1935.00

For this price i would be carrying out the following:

- Mains change (10 way board, 8 circuits) and test
- Downstairs ring and upstairs ring - 6 points on each
- Kitchen radial
- Downstairs lighting circuit and upstairs lighting circuit
- 3 mains smoke alarms
- 1 Cooker circuit
- 1 heating circuit for combi
- 3 TV aerial points
- Low voltage fan in bathroom aswell as coring 4inch hole

Will have to do a fair bit of chasing out and lifting up boards etc.

So what do you think? Fair or not?

 

[Guest77]

Ok fair point,

I would quote around £1935.00

For this price i would be carrying out the following:

- Mains change (10 way board, 8 circuits) and test
- Downstairs ring and upstairs ring - 6 points on each
- Kitchen radial
- Downstairs lighting circuit and upstairs lighting circuit
- 3 mains smoke alarms
- 1 Cooker circuit
- 1 heating circuit for combi
- 3 TV aerial points
- Low voltage fan in bathroom aswell as coring 4inch hole

Will have to do a fair bit of chasing out and lifting up boards etc.

So what do you think? Fair or not?

looks good to me, My guess would have been 2k for that, so your in the right ball park in my view.

 

[netblindpaul]

FWIW, & I'm not popular on here, my price would be circa £3k plus materials at cost + at least 30% markup, and I would struggle to fit it in at the moment.

 

[GMES]

Yep we are about the same, and like i said, it is not about being obstructive but about meeting each other half way
It is like when i have to do the deed with the mrs, i tell her either do your bit or your getting none of this badboy.:sifone:

 

[telectrix]

looks more like a total rewire from that spec. lived in? all boards and carpets back down every night. i'd be nearer £3000 than £2000, just going by the spec., without seeing the job.

 

[harrison2987]

I think the more I quote the better I will be at it and the more confidence I will have in the price I would be putting forward.

I appreciate the input, it's good to know your not a million miles away with a price.

 

[Guest77]

FWIW, & I'm not popular on here, my price would be circa £3k plus materials at cost + at least 30% markup, and I would struggle to fit it in at the moment.

You are with me paul :lips:

 

[telectrix]

shove £500 on your price at the least.

 

[Guest77]

looks more like a total rewire from that spec. lived in? all boards and carpets back down every night. i'd be nearer £3000 than £2000, just going by the spec., without seeing the job.

it is only a 2 up and 2 down though so not much cable really, a 3 bed semi with a few spots and I would be at 3k as well, unless I misread the list it was only 12 sockets and a 4 room house.

 

[harrison2987]

looks more like a total rewire from that spec. lived in? all boards and carpets back down every night. i'd be nearer £3000 than £2000, just going by the spec., without seeing the job.

Correct, this is a quote for a full rewire on a 2 up 2 down terraced house.

Empty property, nothing has to go back at night, can make as much mess as I want as its all getting plastered anyway.

With that in mind what do you think tel?

 

[harrison2987]

it is only a 2 up and 2 down though so not much cable really, a 3 bed semi with a few spots and I would be at 3k as well, unless I misread the list it was only 12 sockets and a 4 room house.

13 doubles
4 singles
6 spurs
8 lighting points
8 spots
etc etc

 

[telectrix]

£2450 then as a ball-park figure. remember you need to make wages, cover overheads, and make a bit of profit on top.

 

[GMES]

Jrc would have that polished off by lunchtime on the 1st day

 

[Guest77]

13 doubles
4 singles
6 spurs
8 lighting points
8 spots
etc etc

£2,350.00, due to the fact there are 8 spots, otherwise a small terrace empty house, no problem for a pair of decent sparks to whack out

 

[gutterball]

you have to remember prices will vary depending on where in the country you are. a £2000 job in one part of the country would be £3000 elsewhere.

 

[Guest77]

you have to remember prices will vary depending on where in the country you are. a £2000 job in one part of the country would be £3000 elsewhere.

Good point, ie= london or bridgend lol

 

[Sparkie30]

you have 52 points + board + cert = 1935 so you charged 37£ per point + board and cert included

i would have defiantly slapped another 500£ to be honest but still not bad as it is empty property

 

[netblindpaul]

I missed the lived in bit!
You can stick another £1k on for that!

 

[harrison2987]

I missed the lived in bit!
You can stick another £1k on for that!

Its not lived it, it's empty

 

[Octopus]

What about bonding? Are you a scheme member or are you paying LABC to test?

 

[netblindpaul]

Its not lived it, it's empty

OK not lived in then you can take my previous price!

 

[harrison2987]

What about bonding? Are you a scheme member or are you paying LABC to test?

Need to bond gas and water but there not too far from the board.

I'm not a scheme member so will be paying then extortionate cost to get LABC to come and check my work and watch me perform the test

 

[robsparky1975]

send a copy of your quals to labc officer and register with them as a qualified electrician and tell them that you have not joined a scam,they can then look at the job after completion and should not charge more than £60-100 dependant on labc,its a little known fact that qualified sparks can do this if they do not carry out much work within the scope of part p of the building regs.If you test/issue cert for your work then they cant send another sparks out to test it,they dont give a stuff anyway/only care when something goes wrong.

 

[harrison2987]

send a copy of your quals to labc officer and register with them as a qualified electrician and tell them that you have not joined a scam,they can then look at the job after completion and should not charge more than £60-100 dependant on labc,its a little known fact that qualified sparks can do this if they do not carry out much work within the scope of part p of the building regs.If you test/issue cert for your work then they cant send another sparks out to test it,they dont give a stuff anyway/only care when something goes wrong.

The LABC told me that because I was going to carry out a full rewire, and install in a special location it was deemed as notifiable under Part P and I had to be Part P registered or with a scheme.

They then went on to say that if i paid £535 they would send out a spark to check my 1st and 2nd fix and then watch me carry out a test. This spark would then give the LABC the nod that i was ok and they would issue a completion cert to the property.

As this property is being sold straight after the work is complete I'm assuming i will need this completion cert off them, and so will have to go down the route they have told me. Is this not correct??

If not can you please expand abit more on what i need to do as i don't really want to pay all that money.

 

[Richard Burns]

The LABC told me that because I was going to carry out a full rewire, and install in a special location it was deemed as notifiable under Part P and I had to be Part P registered or with a scheme.

They then went on to say that if i paid £535 they would send out a spark to check my 1st and 2nd fix and then watch me carry out a test. This spark would then give the LABC the nod that i was ok and they would issue a completion cert to the property.

As this property is being sold straight after the work is complete I'm assuming i will need this completion cert off them, and so will have to go down the route they have told me. Is this not correct??

If not can you please expand a bit more on what i need to do as i don't really want to pay all that money.

Some councils are slightly more sensible and human than others and will accept that as you are a fully competent electrician who will be completing all the necessary inspection, testing and certification, a reduced fee may be appropriate, from what you say your council are low on the intelligence scale as usual and will not permit this, unfortunately.
It is part of the building regulations that a council can decide the appropriate fee for the work they have to do and if there is a fully completed installation certificate their work is minimal.
But unless you can convince your council otherwise you are stuck with the charge, sadly.

EDIT:
Quote from stockport council website as an example "In order to recover the Local Authority costs if anyone other than a Part P registered electrician undertakes the electrical work the reduced charge is not applicable"

 

[robsparky1975]

They must have a price breakdown on the website for non registered but qualified electricians.The price they quoted you seems for a diy dave and it would need a full check on 1st/2nd fix and completion but not you.

 

[Knobhead]

£23-19/7¾d

No one is going to give a price in open forum. If they do they are bloody stupid!

 

[telectrix]

What about bonding? Are you a scheme member or are you paying LABC to test?

bonding with LABC? whatever next? bonding with HMRC?

 

[telectrix]

The LABC told me that because I was going to carry out a full rewire, and install in a special location it was deemed as notifiable under Part P and I had to be Part P registered or with a scheme.

They then went on to say that if i paid £535 they would send out a spark to check my 1st and 2nd fix and then watch me carry out a test. This spark would then give the LABC the nod that i was ok and they would issue a completion cert to the property.

As this property is being sold straight after the work is complete I'm assuming i will need this completion cert off them, and so will have to go down the route they have told me. Is this not correct??

If not can you please expand abit more on what i need to do as i don't really want to pay all that money.

for less than that amount, you can join elecsa. do the job, certify it and use that job for your elecsa assessment. then notify through them.

 

[Octopus]

The LABC told me that because I was going to carry out a full rewire, and install in a special location it was deemed as notifiable under Part P and I had to be Part P registered or with a scheme.

They then went on to say that if i paid £535 they would send out a spark to check my 1st and 2nd fix and then watch me carry out a test. This spark would then give the LABC the nod that i was ok and they would issue a completion cert to the property.

As this property is being sold straight after the work is complete I'm assuming i will need this completion cert off them, and so will have to go down the route they have told me. Is this not correct??

If not can you please expand abit more on what i need to do as i don't really want to pay all that money.

So have you included that £535 in the price above? You might as well spend £475 and get a years membership of a scheme!