Pricing work away

[SensesFailYou]

I have just recently completed a job for a customer up north and their daughter lives in london and needs some work done. They are wanting me to price it due to now knowing me and after seeing my work. The job is at the moment (Without seeing it)

Add 8 new sockets,
Change 8 singles to 8 doubles
Remove 2 lights and place 2 lights in the centre of the relevant room
Change consumer unit

That is all but there may be the possibility of earthing amongst other things. They have recently bought the house and have no test cert and all accessories have been changed for new but that could mean re wire or simply polish things up with existing wiring! What would you guys charge for the above and for going down? Understandably its probably not worth driving from newcastle to london to do this but i said i would give a quote and strongly advised them to get a quote from a few companies down there.

Cheers guys

 

[dan86]

I'd have thought a full EICR would be money better spent for a kick off

 

[Farmelectrics]

Price it the same as at home but allow for travel time petrol dig money etc

 

[SensesFailYou]

I worked it out at:

ill give it a go i have worked it out but looks expensive to me i got it to:

£1220 all in for (Including travelling/Petrol digs are staying in the house itself)

8 New sockets
8 Singles to doubles
2 Lights removed and moved
New mains Board
Earthing
Testing/Certification

Looks too much to me. as you can tell im still not up on pricing especially not when it involves going away. Anyone from london on here what types of prices do you go for or aim for

 

[specs]

I worked it out at:

ill give it a go i have worked it out but looks expensive to me i got it to:

£1220 all in for (Including travelling/Petrol digs are staying in the house itself)

8 New sockets
8 Singles to doubles
2 Lights removed and moved
New mains Board
Earthing
Testing/Certification

Looks too much to me. as you can tell im still not up on pricing especially not when it involves going away. Anyone from london on here what types of prices do you go for or aim for

how long will job take you including travel and don't forget parking charges and food ie expensive cafes

 

[SensesFailYou]

I would say 2 days traveling (5.5 hrs each way) and say 3 days to comfortably do the job. (not slogging myself silly and allowing time since i have not seen the job) Plus with staying in the house i can work longer days

 

[Octopus]

I would politely decline to quote.

Imagine the call at 4.30pm on Friday afternoon and the customer screaming down the phone at you to be onsite ASAP!!

 

[guest119]

Is that labour only?

Boydy

 

[SensesFailYou]

labor and parts

 

[Badfish]

I would say a little too cheap considering the distance you will travel.
are you sure it's only 3 days work.

 

[SensesFailYou]

I would say a little too cheap considering the distance you will travel.
are you sure it's only 3 days work.

If all goes to plan I would estimate that. 2 days traveling 3 days doing the work so 5 in total. Unless I get down there and the electrics behind the new switches and sockets don't match the freshness of the new accessories then it could be longer but the customer wants a price for the above if all goes to plan then a separate price for worst case.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I have just recently completed a job for a customer up north and their daughter lives in london and needs some work done. They are wanting me to price it due to now knowing me and after seeing my work. The job is at the moment (Without seeing it)

Add 8 new sockets,
Change 8 singles to 8 doubles
Remove 2 lights and place 2 lights in the centre of the relevant room
Change consumer unit

That is all but there may be the possibility of earthing amongst other things. They have recently bought the house and have no test cert and all accessories have been changed for new but that could mean re wire or simply polish things up with existing wiring! What would you guys charge for the above and for going down? Understandably its probably not worth driving from newcastle to london to do this but i said i would give a quote and strongly advised them to get a quote from a few companies down there.

Cheers guys

I would say the £1220 is too cheap....very rough point pricing say; £400 for new sockets, £160 changing to two gang, £100 for lights, £400 for board. Thats £1060 already. Bonding will likely want upgrading, so add another £150. Thats about the same as your price, but its London, so add on fuel and a 10-20% premium IMO mate. I would prob be looking at £1500 to £1600....

Get them to send some piccys mate....I would be tempted to go myself, could knock it off quick if staying there and you don't mind grafting.

Though what Murdoch says would send a shiver down my spine.

I was chatting to a Geordie who lives in Brighton now, and he told me he paid £110 for a callout to his elec shower. Spark had to make two visits each approx.30 mins......the Geordie fella thought it was a bargain! I would charge prob around £80.00 for the above..

 

[Richard Burns]

Really if you have not seen the job and it is that far away, you cannot provide a realistic price.
There are too many variables possible, age of house, age of installation, build of house, etc.
However your price above will be in the right ball park.
Keep in mind when you suddenly need that extra blank plate you forgot to take down,how much will it cost to get the parts you may need locally without an account.
If you can get the daughter to walk round with a web cam showing you the installation at least you would have some idea then.

Good luck with it, at least you know you are appreciated.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I have just recently completed a job for a customer up north and their daughter lives in london and needs some work done. They are wanting me to price it due to now knowing me and after seeing my work. The job is at the moment (Without seeing it)

Add 8 new sockets,
Change 8 singles to 8 doubles
Remove 2 lights and place 2 lights in the centre of the relevant room
Change consumer unit

That is all but there may be the possibility of earthing amongst other things. They have recently bought the house and have no test cert and all accessories have been changed for new but that could mean re wire or simply polish things up with existing wiring! What would you guys charge for the above and for going down? Understandably its probably not worth driving from newcastle to london to do this but i said i would give a quote and strongly advised them to get a quote from a few companies down there.

Cheers guys

trying to tan your arse....
put 70% on top for London....

 

[Knobhead]

1 socket per day at £100 each + £350 per night + sustenance and parking. That should just about cover it.

Just don’t walk in the Hilton wearing you’re work clothes, you will be directed to the tradesmen’s entrance.

 

[specs]

I would say 2 days traveling (5.5 hrs each way) and say 3 days to comfortably do the job. (not slogging myself silly and allowing time since i have not seen the job) Plus with staying in the house i can work longer days

seems a bit on the low side, I think 1500 to 1600 would be more realistic. Don't forget you have fuel to pay for. £200 per day inc travel days + materials +expenses ( fuel, food, parking ) your not going to get much (if any) change out of £500/£600.

 

[Octopus]

The Centre of London is less than 30 miles for me and I would decline it.

From the Sunny NE - you must be mad

 

[GMES]

as already suggested I would give her a price for an eicr only, including travel , mileage, food. you have got to test the place anyway so I would find it easier to price for that 1st then when you know exactly what the job entails then you can give a much more accurate quote, which hopefully will secure you the job, I would never shy away from a job for worry of distance or call-backs, as long as you do the job right and are happy with the price , then there's nothing to worry about, he who dares Rodney :sifone:

 

[the pict]

A whole day plus overnight accomodation and travel costs just to do the EICR then get that settled money wise, then work it out back home
Pict

 

[telectrix]

for what you'll need to carry with you to do a EICR, i'd get the train and get client to meet you at station. that way you'll get there without been tired from driving, no parking/traffic problems. then from the EICR, you can prepare quote,

 

[specs]

what part of London is it, I only ask as you might well need to add additional money for parking, for instance, I did a small job in Chelsea a while back and it was £6.00 per hour, in hampstead (if you can find a meter ) its £6.00 for 4 hours and of course if its central London you get the congestion charge, also allow for the odd parking ticket £80.00 a pop (40.00 if paid within 14 days ) last week I got 2, 1 for not parking entirely within the bay ( my rear tyre was outside of the markings) and the 2nd was because I was 5mins overdue. The parking gestapo are absolutely lethal here. Having said all that you may well be in a nice leafy suburb.

 

[Guitarist]

I'd say a ballpark figure of £1600 for what you've described, could be a little more or a little less. If they pass out, then you know that they're not serious.

 

[guest119]

Her next door neighbour or a friend might then want to use your services, word of mouth and all that.
Start as you mean to go on, with well worthwhile prices, in your favour.

Boydy

 

[SensesFailYou]

Well the job has changed now to the following (I have still not seen the job just what an electrician down their has said) What would you guys says fair for the following then i can see if it matches my total:
18 Double Sockets
22 Lighting points (Switches and Pendans)
Consumer unit
Earth to gas/Water
Test
And Reconnect and Test Kitchen Sockets and Cooker Circuits into New DB

Also as a seperate price what would you charge for:

3 Smokes/Heat iterlinked Aico Optical
5PIR Alarm System (Veritas)

Many thanks Guys

 

[tommy.dale]

Where in london is it though mate because although it's already been said prices for parking etc differ massively

 

[SensesFailYou]

kingston on thames mate, there is allocated parking so thats not a worry and would be staying in the house

 

[tommy.dale]

I was out in kingston 2 weeks ago wicked strippers round that way.......or so I have been told lol

 

[SensesFailYou]

may have to add some more onto the quote haha any idea what u would charge for all of that given its london etc

 

[Kate]

There are a few sparks on here (including me) who are not so confident at pricing...is anyone posting replies really good at it? Thought about lending your amazing services??

Id pay someone to do my pricing

 

[SensesFailYou]

i struggle with it because i dont want to rip anyone off but then i dont want to work my fingers to the bone for next to nothing lol. My old boss said you will underprice a few then notice your errors and soon learn to increase to a happy medium lol

 

[Kate]

Think I just struggle lol. I get really paranoid about missing something big out.

- - - Updated - - -

Its all about confidence

Seriously...I would pay

 

[SensesFailYou]

I have a price in mind for this but would be interesting to see what other people would price it at then i know if im in that ball park. The customer will have a quote from the sparky in London so im trying to guess what they will cost compared to my prices lol

 

[dan86]

.

 

[Richard Burns]

You are almost into rewire territory with that number of points, I would tend to price it on that basis, excluding the kitchen, etc.
As you have not seen it you cannot plan cable routes, furniture moving, type of flooring, type of walls, any other trades, so you will be at a bit of a guesstimate level whatever.

Work it out based on your expected parts plus labour basis add £400 for travel etc and then add another day for all the problems, and another £100 for getting parts, planning that you may need to encompass on site.

Then work it out based on say a price per point, cost of fuel plus contingency basis and compare the two.

Choose the middle ground and you should be somewhere near.
Include in your quote "any unanticipated structural or technical problems encountered will incur additional charges at the following rates..." or being nice "this price may vary once I have made an on site assessment, all changes will be advised asap"

 

[tommy.dale]

I've done a lot of work in and around the kingston, Richmond and twickenham area I'd go in £2500 anything less is robbery, I'd go in at £3000 if ur coming from up north, hope this helps

 

[Kate]

I've done a lot of work in and around the kingston, Richmond and twickenham area I'd go in £2500 anything less is robbery, I'd go in at £3000 if ur coming from up north, hope this helps

Oooo you said a magic word...richmond.
complete rewire 4bed house across 3floors. All MK. All chased. 3 BT points, 3 SKY points. 5amp points sitting room and master bed. Ballpark figure?

Ive already priced but its high and I have to tweak it.

Coming from south west, I added b&b and food allowance.

 

[Sintra]

Oooo you said a magic word...richmond.
complete rewire 4bed house across 3floors. All MK. All chased. 3 BT points, 3 SKY points. 5amp points sitting room and master bed. Ballpark figure?

Ive already priced but its high and I have to tweak it.

Coming from south west, I added b&b and food allowance.

Don't tweak it too much you're not far away with your price.

 

[Kate]

thanks

Im hoping at the minute its just that I have been very generous with allowed points. If they want it cheaper dont use MK. Simples

 

[Paultrim123321]

It's not your hourly rate your competing against, its the fact you have subsistence and travel costs which a local contractor simply won't have so unless you completely under cook your yourself you will always be slightly higher than local contractors to the client. If your hourly rate is competitive then you have to explain to your client what extra services they will be getting from you, the extra mile so to speak that will mean they end up choosing you over a local contractor.
As regard to actual expenditure, B&B's, takeaways etc are ideal ways of keeping costs low, if needs must.

 

[Paultrim123321]

Also, presuming your self employed and without stating the obvious, keep all receipts, fuel, subsistence etc which will help you claw some expenditure back at the end of your tax year.

 

[Kate]

I am self employed and keep all receipts

There arent any local people quoting. Its for a builder near my own town. Im not sure he has any other quotes either from the conversations I have had with him.

My extras are staying, if tweaks are needed ill only do it to materials