Too high or about right?

[HappyHippyDad]

Evening all,

I am awaiting a reply to this quote (below). I thought it was about right, but perhaps too high. Would be good to get some opinions? Its basically a rewire plus extra bits for the bathroom, outside, smokes and loft.
£3120 if they move out. £3470 if they stay in.
I thought it was ok but maybe not?
Popped it in the arms as its about pricing which is good to keep a little more private!

Description of works.

Full rewire of property to include the following:

Living room
5 x twin sockets
1 x pendant light

Hallway
2 x twin sockets.
1 x pendant and 3 x fire rated downlights (fitted with goodquality LED lightbulbs)
Doorbell.

Ground floor closet
1 x batten light.

Kitchen
Change single socket to a twin.
1 x fluorescent strip light to be reconnected.
Reconnect up existing supply to all sockets/switches/cookeruntil further structural work is completed in 2016.

Dining room
2 x twin sockets.
1 x pendant light.

Bed 1
3 x twin sockets.
1 x pendant light and 2 x fire rated downlights in alcove(fitted with good quality LED lightbulbs). To keep pull switch in situ.

Bed 2
3 x twin sockets.
1 x pendant light.

Bed 3 (master bedroom)
3 x twin sockets.
1 x pendant light.

Landing
1 x pendant light.

Airing cupboard
New cable to fused connection unit for immersion heater

Bathroom
Supply and install new towel radiator with standard timerand isolation switch located in airing cupboard.
Supply and install Fan heater with isolation switch incupboard.
Supply and install extractor fan with isolation switch located outside bathroom either above/right of door or in airing cupboard.
1 x shower (10mm cable to be used) and pull switch to berelocated.
1 x shaver point.
5 x fire rated and waterproof downlights (fitted with goodquality LED lightbulbs).

Loft
Install loft light.1 x standard batten light with pull switch located in loft near loft entrance.


Outside
Supply and install 1 x LED floodlight for back garden, switched from within the house.
Supply and install 1 x LED floodlight (with sensor) for parking area.
Supply and install 1 x LED floodlight (with sensor) for front of house.

Other
To remove all old fuse boxes in kitchen and replace in ground floor closet with a single Dual RCD 17[SUP]th[/SUP] Edition Consumer Unit.
Supply and install 2 (linked) smoke alarms, one on ground floor and one on landing.


Additional information
All switches/sockets/pendants supplied will be of good quality, either Crabtree or MK. They will be standard white fittings.
All new cables and points will be channelled into the wallor hidden in cavity walls, any plastering work to be done by a plasterer.
All downlights will be fire rated as suggested by the Electrical Safety Council.


Total Cost = £3120 - £3470 (depending if lived in)

 

[telectrix]

cheap. you.re about £1000 too low.

 

[Octopus]

Sounds like an awful lot of work for not much return.

Fingers crossed they don't give you the job!

 

[7029 dave]

It sounds okay, depends really on area too, prices will affect that. Folk charge around 10k for 5 bedroom house's in London, maybe that don't want that kind of work.?

 

[tomspark93]

I came in a little bit higher. Hard to say without seeing the job though.

 

[telectrix]

my take is 4K void, and 4.5K occupied.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Sxxx!! I thought I was too high! They actually rang to accept just after I finished typing!
Next time I shall add a thousand, this time I will just grit my teeth and smile nicely :nonod:

 

[davesparks]

Do they job as you normally would but keep a strict account of every expense and hour worked then at the end of the job you can see how much you did or didn't make on the job and learn from it.

 

[Paul.M]

Do they job as you normally would but keep a strict account of every expense and hour worked then at the end of the job you can see how much you did or didn't make on the job and learn from it.

^^^ Good advice ^^^

@ HHD, are you just going to make a "wage" from this or actually make money? You need to make both. A van, Tools, insurance cost a lot of cash over the year. Dont cut yourself short.

You should have gone in at £700 more. Just keep a very close eye on the extras that the customer asks for "while your here".

 

[Richard Burns]

All good experience, once you have completed the job then you can work out how far out you were, if at all, and can then go in prepared for the next one.

I too would have been more costly, but I am old, decrepit and slow, but also know how hard it is on your own to rewire anything.

 

[Octopus]

And don't forget that most customers make changes while the work is being done so make dam sure you charge accordingly

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I suppose the only thing I didn't mention is that it is a shell. No flooring down just floorboards and all the clients possessions are in storage! So its pretty much just the clients in the way. Just trying to make myself feel better ☺

 

[HappyHippyDad]

And don't forget that most customers make changes while the work is being done so make dam sure you charge accordingly

I will Murdoch. I mentioned about complications or additions in the cover letter!

 

[Octopus]

I will Murdoch. I mentioned about complications or additions in the cover letter!

I never do "live in" rewires, but any "big" job I agree a schedule of "changes charges" before commencing!

 

[markc123]

I always estimate not quote for big jobs like this but as Murdoch has said, live in rewires are a big nope. Other trades getting in the way are a pain in the arse let alone the clients.

On a 2bedroom ex council house piece of turd re-wire atm and the plumber and plasterer could be going missing if they're not careful. Could be getting some actors on the crime watch reconstructions some work in the near future.

 

[gnselectricals]

I got 4100 lived but seeing as it's more or less a void I'd go in at 4100 lol

 

[Midwest]

Are they going to get you to do the kitchen refurb? Might be worth considering getting extra cables in for that now, if there's a need. Do that as extra's, charged accordingly!

 

[shanky887614]

I always estimate not quote for big jobs like this but as Murdoch has said, live in rewires are a big nope. Other trades getting in the way are a pain in the arse let alone the clients.

On a 2bedroom ex council house piece of turd re-wire atm and the plumber and plasterer could be going missing if they're not careful. Could be getting some actors on the crime watch reconstructions some work in the near future.

get a grinder and start chasing then [emoji14] they will soon vacant the room/area XD

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm one and a half days into it and its great fun!

I get to take all the horrible old cables out and redesign everything more efficiently. I did contemplate getting a helper but have decided to carry on by myself for now as I'm enjoying it and so far its all going to plan.

First floor lighting 1st fix is almost complete and the clients are ameniably and friendly.

The loft was interesting! Full of excess insulation piled up to the (standing height) roof and perhaps 20 old scaffolding planks. After moving these around numerous times I decided to saw them up and get them out of the way. Client was happy as he got some free fire wood which he can use for his new wood burner!

Bit of an odd post but I do like to update things, although its turned into more of a chit chat post!

I could ask two questions:

1. They will be contacting western Power to move the supply. Do the DNO always agree to move it, or are there instances where they refuse?

2. Present set up is TT, I have suggested to client to ask Western Power to update earthing to TN-C-S. Is this something they are likely to do?

 

[egg67]

Glad your having a good time it's always nice when things go well. Q1&2 get them to ring them up and ask, you just get on with your job and have fun[emoji3][emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

 

[GMES]

Fair play steve if you're enjoying doing a lived in rewire then you're a better man than most of us on here, keep the updates coming and maybe a nice photographic story step by step will keep us entertained each night.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Fair play steve if you're enjoying doing a lived in rewire then you're a better man than most of us on here, keep the updates coming and maybe a nice photographic story step by step will keep us entertained each night.

Depends what it looks like at the end Glenn .

 

[Midwest]

I could ask two questions:

1. They will be contacting western Power to move the supply. Do the DNO always agree to move it, or are there instances where they refuse?

2. Present set up is TT, I have suggested to client to ask Western Power to update earthing to TN-C-S. Is this something they are likely to do?

Don't think the DNO will refuse anything, within reason, as long as the customer is willing to pay!

My DNO, SSE, say they will always look at converting to TN-C-S. Easier out in the sticks, than in built up areas, I'm told. Again, long as customer is willing to pay.

 

[Hellmooth]

Just had Scottish Power PME a customers house, they did it for free no questions asked.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Well thats the first fix completed!!

I think I've perhaps gone a bit overboard trying to remove all the old cable. Whenever i see rewires they seem to leave masses of old cable behind. I tried to leave some under the floorboards because it was difficult to trace its route, but I found myself taking up more and more of it untill it eventually all went, It felt good!

Still enjoying it, but wow its hard work...

Up and down, up and down. Pull this cable through, no its got caught, back upstairs to pull it back a little, back down to pull it through, no, its stuck again...

Luckily the 2nd fix and testing should be far more... routine.

 

[Octopus]

How did you agree payments with the client? by percentage of total?

 

[7029 dave]

Well thats the first fix completed!!

I think I've perhaps gone a bit overboard trying to remove all the old cable. Whenever i see rewires they seem to leave masses of old cable behind. I tried to leave some under the floorboards because it was difficult to trace its route, but I found myself taking up more and more of it untill it eventually all went, It felt good!

Still enjoying it, but wow its hard work...

Up and down, up and down. Pull this cable through, no its got caught, back upstairs to pull it back a little, back down to pull it through, no, its stuck again...

Luckily the 2nd fix and testing should be far more... routine.

Why have you tried to recover all the old cable?, its time consuming.

 

[davesparks]

2nd fix? It's not a lived in require then I presume?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

How did you agree payments with the client? by percentage of total?

Well to be honest I generally dont take any money before the job is finished Murdoch as I like the client to be happy with the work before they pay. This time however, being a larger job they have already offered a part payment which has been paid.

Why have you tried to recover all the old cable?, its time consuming.

Is that generally the case Dave? It just seemed the right thing to do to get rid of the old cable.

2nd fix? It's not a lived in require then I presume?

Candles to see your pretty face and a trangia for the sunday roast. A big pan of hot water for a wash and Mcdonalds for breakfast.
Plus I'm back after Christmas, so it's not too long to wait.

 

[Midwest]

I always remove old cables when I can, it's the Right Thing To Do;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiqcczYZnJ8

Plus there's the scrapage :greedy:

 

[ian.settle1]

Plus there's the scrapage :greedy:

Is it really worth it?

 

[Midwest]

Put twa pennies in a purse and they will creep thigither.

 

[richy3333]

Is it really worth it?

I'd say yes. Just finishing up my 9th rewire of the year and the scrap has paid for the Mrs Christmas box .its the only way she doesn't get to see what I've spent on her.

 

[richy3333]

Well to be honest I generally dont take any money before the job is finished Murdoch as I like the client to be happy with the work before they pay. This time however, being a larger job they have already offered a part payment which has been paid..

HHD don't forget you are a business first. At the very least ask for a deposit as it helps you with cash flow. It's also a good barometer of how serious they are. If a customer won't give you a deposit the chances are their might be payment difficulties later on, imho. If customers won't give me a deposit I won't book the work in. Had a chancer earlier this year, a lived in rewire that always felt it might go wrong. He said he'd pay the deposit 2 days before I started. I warned him that I wouldn book the work in until the deposit was paid. In the intervening period I kept taking other work so when he contacted me I had other work booked up for when he wanted his rewire doing. One of the local bodgers did the job instead and it took him 4 times longer due to the customer being a pita and having to move furniture around!

 

[7029 dave]

I always remove old cables when I can, it's the Right Thing To Do;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiqcczYZnJ8

Plus there's the scrapage :greedy:

So you would lift floorboards you don't have to, chop out every chase in walls etc, basically tear the place apart just to get at old cables.? No wonder rewires are an stupid price, the client paying you to rip out cables and take down the scrap yard for payment.?

 

[shanky887614]

So you would lift floorboards you don't have to, chop out every chase in walls etc, basically tear the place apart just to get at old cables.? No wonder rewires are an stupid price, the client paying you to rip out cables and take down the scrap yard for payment.?

to be fair ill only rip out the easy to get at cables

 

[7029 dave]

to be fair ill only rip out the easy to get at cables

Think we all do, if it pulls out great, but to go out of your way is an different matter, now if the client wants it all out and is paying for the time to do so that's fine. In my experience particularly in occupied they want you out quick with the least disruption.

 

[Midwest]

So you would lift floorboards you don't have to, chop out every chase in walls etc, basically tear the place apart just to get at old cables.? No wonder rewires are an stupid price, the client paying you to rip out cables and take down the scrap yard for payment.?

Come on Dave, I don't go that far. But quite often puling out the old stuff, gives you more space to get in the new stuff.

 

[amlu]

weighted in two BIG rubble sacks full of scrapped twin and earth. got 20 quid. if you have floors open and something is easy to cut and pull then yes, why not.
But is not worth any extra work with this prices :-(

 

[NDG Elecs]

There is something strangely satisfying removing all the redundant cables! I like to weigh it all in before Christmas, normally get around a ton and then usually buy some work gadget of some description. Not to mention it's a bit of recycling. And with recommending LEDs all the time also I feel like a right tree hugger!!