How can people quote so low?

[Delboybully]

I did a job recently changing some faceplates. Owner was concerned about insulation above his new spotlights. Over some the insulation wasn't put back at all - a whole section was moved and not put back. Other spotlights had been covered. Also no jbs used so inner cores exposed and no cert. Took the guy 3 days to put 14 spots in 3 rooms, one external light and one external socket. The so called sparks promised a cert but nothing turned up.

Customer supplied the spots and external light and socket. So called sparks supplied everything else and labour for 350

I ended up sorting the mess out and the customer realised that the cheapest isn't always the cheapest and was out of pocket.

 

[robo83]

I always inform the customer I garanttee my work, insured and survive on a reputation and recommendations.

These are the jobs if you loose them, then it's only your quoting time sacrificed.

I would offer a slight discount but that's it, don't drop low enough to get the job. Been there, won't be doing it again.. :/

 

[buzzlightyear]

when a customers says to me the bloke down the road will do it cheaper .
answer , snap his hand off and walk away .because I'm not in the bidding war.

 

[davesparks]

When I was doing domestic work I found that around half the people who said they'd had a cheaper quote hadn't actually got any other quotes. It was just straight up lies to try and get a discount. When I declined to lower my quote they'd accept it anyway.

 

[Ian1981]

Problem you also get is customer want say a new double socket installed however you notice that there's no bonding to the installation so you need or tell the customer about it.
The customer thinks your making up work for more money so they hire a lad down the road who will do it for £20 no bother.

If you play by the rules then sometimes your handicapped when pricing private jobs.

 

[Wilko]

For every job where Customer is ok for me to fix the other things, I get two where I'm sure they think I'm making it up and that's that.

 

[StephenRowley]

The worst cowboys are the ones i call ebay sparks. they buy the cheap imported counterfeit CU's off ebay for £45 (same model in usual suppliers is £70+).

Or buy one the local smack head robbed from their local DIY shed

 

[Pat H]

labour only got so many votes because youngsters voted labour in the mistaken belief that their manifesto would help them ( tuition fees etc.) when jeremy and his cronies promise the earth but have no idea of how to pay for it, and as usual, have no intention of carrying out their election promises. ( remember that blair promised a referendum on the EU but never delivered).

See this posted elsewhere and even described as a Bribe. However far more of those who voted labour wouldn't have gained from tuition fees they would have been paying for them in their taxes. A significant number of voters for Labour where over 50's with degrees themselves. So maybe it was that they see the value of education and its importance to the UK economy as an investment rather than a cash cow as everything has to be nowadays. Depite the rightwing press being exposed for the lies and smear they used. Their voice still lingers on...

Cameron did deliver his promise for an EU referendum and look at the state we are in now.

 

[Octopus]

See this posted elsewhere and even described as a Bribe. However far more of those who voted labour wouldn't have gained from tuition fees they would have been paying for them in their taxes..

I think "bribe" seems a little strong, but to offer to abolish tuition fees and cancel the debts of "older" students does strike me as "buying" votes... The debts are estimated at £30 billion and then there is the ongoing cost of students each year.

I don't think ANY of the parties did any good with their policies or their promises - for me there was just 1 that stood out:

1p on income tax to pay for social care - by the Liberals.....

I would happily pay an extra 1p on tax to sort out this financial mess.. and give our elderly some comfort in old age. My late mother was paying £6K per month at the end..... ALL funded by her and when she lived at home, SHE had to pay for any help....

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

labour only got so many votes because youngsters voted labour in the mistaken belief that their manifesto would help them ( tuition fees etc.) when jeremy and his cronies promise the earth but have no idea of how to pay for it, and as usual, have no intention of carrying out their election promises. ( remember that blair promised a referendum on the EU but never delivered).

I voted Labour because I can't stand may.
The arrogance to make no effort and blame it on having brexit to worry about... why call the election?!

And so many u turns.

 

[Deleted member 93172]

50 squid for a cu change plus bits is total madness, so no bonding upgrade or testing then, the people who except these prices deserve whatever problems are coming their way.

 

[Specialist]

50 squid for a cu change plus bits is total madness, so no bonding upgrade or testing then, the people who except these prices deserve whatever problems are coming their way.

No mate, no bonding upgrade or anything & a totally gash job of the CU.

 

[sparkdog]

I quoted £350 for a similar job, didn't get it either.

 

[Specialist]

When you've got people doing things for stupid money, it's not surprising really. Other side of the coin, there's a thread where a punter just paid £550 for a CU change.

 

[davesparks]

When you've got people doing things for stupid money, it's not surprising really. Other side of the coin, there's a thread where a punter just paid £550 for a CU change.

Which is a perfectly reasonable price for a CU change, particularly considering that in the thread in question it's explained that it's an out-of hours job.

 

[Specialist]

Wasn't aware that I'd said it wasn't reasonable in certain areas, in others it wouldn't be a reasonable price.
The out of hours job though, was the Electricians choice not the clients.

 

[Midwest]

Which is a perfectly reasonable price for a CU change, particularly considering that in the thread in question it's explained that it's an out-of hours job.

I wouldn't have paid £550 for that one, even if he did it on Christmas Day

 

[Midwest]

I had one guy leave a voicemail, trying to find an electrician who was not vat registered, so he could get a 20% discount. Another sent me the longest text I've EVER had, for a supply to a shed, and the last line was 'how much do you charge?'.

Didn't respond to either. What happened to the 'Can you give me a quotation' routine?

 

[vjsmarwick]

lol I don't think I can remember the last time I gave a quote I have so many regular customers and here word of mouth carries you a long way so the amount of work passed to me from the customers I do have keeps me going ! I do all the wiring for one firm of builders all the wiring for 1 self employed guy maintenance on two hotels and two restaurants I also do wiring for a kitchen fitter and all the private work on top of that at the moment the one private job is an old mansion with 30 odd rooms been there on and off over the past couple of years and made almost £20000 off just this one job and still more to come ! (Sometimes life is just great in the country ! You can keep your city lives fighting for work I will keep my island paradise any day) lol

 

[Midwest]

If you don't do quotes, even for kitchen fitters, all I can say is they are probably providing a quotation to their customers on your behalf.

It is very common for builders to make a mark up on other trades work. Last builder I did work for insisted I sent my invoice to them direct, and got in a right paddy when I later did some extra work for the same customer and invoiced them direct, almost accused me taking money out of his mouth. Told them his fortunes, and never worked for them again.

If you happy to do that, and making money, jobs a good'un

 

[davesparks]

If you don't do quotes, even for kitchen fitters, all I can say is they are probably providing a quotation to their customers on your behalf.

It is very common for builders to make a mark up on other trades work. Last builder I did work for insisted I sent my invoice to them direct, and got in a right paddy when I later did some extra work for the same customer and invoiced them direct, almost accused me taking money out of his mouth. Told them his fortunes, and never worked for them again.

If you happy to do that, and making money, jobs a good'un

I don't know your exact arrangements, but when I have subcontracted to companies (builders or otherwise) I have always been working under a subcontracting agreement that includes a clause stating I cannot work directly for any of their customers for a certain period of time after the job completes.

I think I'd be on the side of the builder, you've done work for them and then gone on to work directly for their customer, I'd be pretty irritated if someone did that to me.

 

[Octopus]

I don't know your exact arrangements, but when I have subcontracted to companies (builders or otherwise) I have always been working under a subcontracting agreement that includes a clause stating I cannot work directly for any of their customers for a certain period of time after the job completes.

I think I'd be on the side of the builder, you've done work for them and then gone on to work directly for their customer, I'd be pretty irritated if someone did that to me.

not many local businesses have this as a clause in my experience... who's to say that the customer hasn't fallen out with the original contractor and won't have them onsite again but are happy with specific sub contractors....

A mind field IMHO

 

[vjsmarwick]

If you don't do quotes, even for kitchen fitters, all I can say is they are probably providing a quotation to their customers on your behalf.

It is very common for builders to make a mark up on other trades work. Last builder I did work for insisted I sent my invoice to them direct, and got in a right paddy when I later did some extra work for the same customer and invoiced them direct, almost accused me taking money out of his mouth. Told them his fortunes, and never worked for them again.

If you happy to do that, and making money, jobs a good'un

I normally bill customers direct even for the jobs I do for the builders my reputation for good value for money and a good job is all I need I bill for what I do I don't make massive profits but enough to live on ! I have a health condition which means I'm not as quick as most but my charges allow for this but it seems people are willing to wait just to have me do their work ! I have only had one person that quibbled the bill and kept £50 off the final bill but will never have work done by me again ! Not bad in almost 35 years.

 

[Midwest]

I normally bill customers direct even for the jobs I do for the builders my reputation for good value for money and a good job is all I need I bill for what I do I don't make massive profits but enough to live on ! I have a health condition which means I'm not as quick as most but my charges allow for this but it seems people are willing to wait just to have me do their work ! I have only had one person that quibbled the bill and kept £50 off the final bill but will never have work done by me again ! Not bad in almost 35 years.

Sorry to hear of your ill health, currently I'm just limited by my age (fingers crossed). For me, I usually do for someone once, although I have gone back to some of my domestic customers, when they have moved house for example. Recently, probably just co-incidence, I've had my quotations questioned. To which I've replied, get someone else to quote you. In the domestic market, people seem to expect the work to be carried on the minimal of margins, but expect you back at the drop of a hat if there are minor imperfections. I blame Google!

 

[davesparks]

not many local businesses have this as a clause in my experience... who's to say that the customer hasn't fallen out with the original contractor and won't have them onsite again but are happy with specific sub contractors....

A mind field IMHO

It doesn't matter if the customer has fallen out with them or not, if you've signed the agreement then you face legal proceedings if found out.

 

[vjsmarwick]

It doesn't matter if the customer has fallen out with them or not, if you've signed the agreement then you face legal proceedings if found out.

I would never sign anything that could restrict who I could work for but I guess living on a group of islands things are done completely different ! Here most people knows everyone else. Only big companies advertise not which I am one ! Here people trust each other because there is no where to hide and if you don't do a good job you just wouldn't last here. With just 20000 population on around 25 inhabited islands there is loads of island work available for those who don't mind being away from home ! Always loads of work as our local council put out their contracts in quiet times new housing popping up all over ! Price of living here is relatively high considering what's here but I can't picture me living anywhere else ! Winter lasts about 9 months of the year summer about 2 or 3 weeks no nightlife unless you want a ----y smelling nightclub but the pubs are good and plentyful and crime rate made up of minor fighting and driving offences so pretty much paradise for people like me who have spent a life time here lol

 

[tom porter]

just been under quoted by £1000.00 for new 3 bed house installation

 

[Specialist]

just been under quoted by £1000.00 for new 3 bed house installation

Like a smack in the teeth isn't it ?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Potential new customer has been trying to play me off against another firm....other firm has quoted £7600 for a 185 point new build in brushed steel accessories and an intruder alarm on top....there are 5 houses....my price £11200 per house.

 

[vjsmarwick]

Hi Vincent,
How's tricks?
Would you manage out to Westray with me on Tuesday at 0700 and back in at 14:30 and fit a new fuse box check wiring and get me a certificate?
Cheers
Christopher
Lol this is the kind of messages I get no mention of how much just can you do it nice and easy ! One of my former customers friends

 

[Specialist]

To be fair Lee I'd hate to be quoting for work nowadays. It's way worse than it was, even 5 years ago. I think some of them just pull numbers out of their backsides.

 

[telectrix]

Potential new customer has been trying to play me off against another firm....other firm has quoted £7600 for a 185 point new build in brushed steel accessories and an intruder alarm on top....there are 5 houses....my price £11200 per house.

your price looks spot on to me, if anything, a bit low. how he can do 7600 is beyond me.

 

[Leesparkykent]

your price looks spot on to me, if anything, a bit low. how he can do 7600 is beyond me.

And me mate....These people can't have any business sense at all and won't last very long as they will be busy fools earning pittance.

 

[Cadgey123]

And me mate....These people can't have any business sense at all and won't last very long as they will be busy fools earning pittance.

Potential new customer has been trying to play me off against another firm....other firm has quoted £7600 for a 185 point new build in brushed steel accessories and an intruder alarm on top....there are 5 houses....my price £11200 per house.

I am close to your price too. £60 per point and that's to supply cable, CU & white accessories.
I wouldn't entertain any of these jokers doing it for Ridiculous prices. Although each to their own if they can make money at those margins.

 

[Midwest]

I don't know your exact arrangements, but when I have subcontracted to companies (builders or otherwise) I have always been working under a subcontracting agreement that includes a clause stating I cannot work directly for any of their customers for a certain period of time after the job completes.

I think I'd be on the side of the builder, you've done work for them and then gone on to work directly for their customer, I'd be pretty irritated if someone did that to me.

Exactement; I'd say 3 1/2 months after doing the original work, is sufficient space in time for the customer to contact me direct.

Fortunately I do very little sub-contracting for builders, although I did refer a customer back to my original electrical contractor, many months after doing some work at this particular customers property. I have some scruples there.

I just feel that most of these builders make a mark up on my work, with no real input. If I worked regularly for a particular builder, I wouldn't mind the mark up, as it would provide me with regular work, or if the builder provided some form of warranty to the customer. They don't, they just make the customer pay more money, for no particular gain.