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I am remodeling and in an attempt to save a few dollars I installed the electrical boxes (outlets and switches) myself and purchased the light fixtures. However, I didn’t do any wiring.
I would like to use the electrical contractor who estimated the job several months ago. However, his estimate was for installing the boxes, light fixtures, and wiring them.
Is it wishful thinking to expect this electrician to revise his quote in light of the additional work I did?
Did I step on toes by reducing the size of the job from the time it was estimated until he was hired?
Replies
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In my experience working with electricians and other contractors, I've found that if the job is slimmed down too much, they really have a hard time passing up a "full" job for a "skinny" job. 8 hours is 8 hours and they aren't working for the pure pleasure of it. :-)
If you really need the electrician to complete the job, I'd offer him the amount previously quoted and have him complete your job.
Don't be surprised if he asks you to pull your boxes off the studs/ceiling before he shows up. (I've seen this happen before)
*How did you manage to install outlets and switches with no wiring?
*Jim, I am a licensed electrical contractor and in response to your question, Any good ,fair and reasonable electrician will be willing to do the job at a different price. If a contractor does'nt appreciate the homeowner trying to save money by doing some work himself, your better off with out him. The only problem could be if the work you do turns out to be a real savings. If all you did was to nail the outlet and switch boxes in place I doubt if you save little. Also , If the work you did only serves to hinder an appropriate and efficient installation, It may only cost you more for the electrician to correct your work. In any case, a contractor should be willing to help and work with you. Nick
*Interesting post here. My electrician has a cost formula scale kinda like this:Regualr price if he does it all himself.Add 25% if you watch.Add 50% if you help.Add 100% if you tried to do it yourself first.Honestly though, I really don't think that nailing boxes to studs will account for much of the bill at all. A few cents per box and the labor is probably next to nothing. I think that this is something that is figured in as part of the whole scheme of things and not neccesarily an itemized expense.Pete Draganic
*Jim, here's how to really save some money on electrical work: Buy the 12-2 and 12-3 yourself. Buy 250 feet. It should run you about $30. Buy the switch boxes and octagon boxes, and 4" connector boxes yourself. A couple bucks each. You can also buy outlets (no cheapies, buy metal strapped 20 amp ones) and switches yourself as well. They will mark these up so you will save some bucks. I agree with the other posts that nailing them up yourself probably saved you litte money.
*As a GC with extensive electrical installation experience, I have a couple of thoughts for all of you. Nailing boxes requires requires proper placement in the vertical plane and horizontal plane so that the intended finish wall is flush with the box (if not, the rock crew will not be happy). If the boxes are not sized appropriately (yes, # of conductors and box size can sometimes be scrutinized during rough inspections), they will have to be ripped out. One new product I try to always use now are the more expensive boxes that have an adjustment mechanism for adjusting after rock is placed (but before mud). The idea of buying all of these materials, and having them there for your electrician will probably save you 20%, but if you buy a lot of junk that cannot be used for whatever reason, I see the owner being upset. I try to work with the owners whenever possible, but my time to detail the component and labor costs in an estimate, plus putting together a list of components (what if something at the store is 'close' ?), for the owner to buy. Making sure it is on site when you and crew are ready to run wire...now you may get the picture that its all about time. If it takes as much time for this extra effort, as it would for us to come in and do the job with our materials, then do not expect a savings.
*Hey Scooter,Are you the same guy who goes into a restaurant and says "a buck for a cup of coffee? well how much for half a cup?" and then sticks all the jellies in your pocket on the way out?Just wondering,Pete Draganic
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Jim
I'm with Scotter on this one: Finish the job you started. Buy the cable and Practical electrical Wiring by Richter or a similar but simpler book - the name of which I forget- by Monte Burch. Even replacing the service panel isn't beyond the capability of a reasonably intelligent person.
*If i were your mother i'd wash your mouth out with soap. So, after paying for the material (you would had to do this anyway)and installing the boxes (wow!)what do you really think you saved? How much should you pay a professional for putting his name on an amatuers work
*If i were your mother i'd wash your mouth out with soap. So, after paying for the material (you would had to do this anyway)and installing the boxes (wow!)what do you really think you saved? How much should you pay a professional for putting his name on an amatuers work
*I have always discouraged potential customers from attempting too much in the way of laying out the electrical work and attempting to place the boxes. Past experience proves that, at least most of the time, the boxes are either improperly located or inadequate in size. The customer usually has very little concept of the minimum spacing required by the Code and even less concept of wire volume required. Very little cost-saving is accomplished by nailing the boxes up before the electrician comes in. To expect the contractor to discount his work to compensate is wishful thinking.
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I have to agree with Andrew's posting up to a point. The Code does not require an outlet every 6 feet as his response indicated, but requires an outlet spacing such that ..no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6 feet...measured horizontally, from an outlet in that wall space..(NEC 210-52 (a)(1)). Thus, outlets spaced just under 12 feet apart will usually satisfy the intent of the Code.
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I am remodeling and in an attempt to save a few dollars I installed the electrical boxes (outlets and switches) myself and purchased the light fixtures. However, I didn't do any wiring.
I would like to use the electrical contractor who estimated the job several months ago. However, his estimate was for installing the boxes, light fixtures, and wiring them.
Is it wishful thinking to expect this electrician to revise his quote in light of the additional work I did?
Did I step on toes by reducing the size of the job from the time it was estimated until he was hired?
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Jim,
Do you have an electrician friend to help you finish what you started?
If not then I would meet your prospective "to be hired" electricians on site and tell them your feelings won't be hurt if they want to redo any of your work. They should understand, if they don't then they have enough work anyway and just call the next guy. I wouldn't ask for a savings for work done, let them offer it.
Have a good day'
Jack : )
*Do consider doing the work yourself, but be certain to FIRST familiarize yourself with the proper methods and code requirements. It's one of those things that's easy if you know what you're doing, but the if is a big if. The Code requirements for box volume, receptacle spacing, GFCI's, etc. can get confusing. (E.g., NEC requires an outlet every 6' on each wall 2' of greater, and every 4' in the kitchen counter area -- quite a few outlets. The idea is to discourage use of extension cords, and this is only the beginning...) Odds are that some of your box placements already violate code in one way or another..But in any event be very careful: it's really not that hard to electrocute yourself or start a fire in a wall, on account of a mindless or ignorant mistake. I messed up by simply forgetting to screw down a metal receptacle cover. When my wife pulled the plug, the cover fell across the cord prongs. Big flash, breaker tripped, oops. I use plastic covers now.