does this look expensive to you? funny response from angry person

15 years ago

While most home investors in bad parts of town usually waste my time for a free estimate on work I never get. This one had the nerve to tell me how expensive I am. I was kicking my self for sending out an estimate this low to begin with. Figured it could at least keep my guys busy. This is for a complete re-wire with most rooms keeping walls and ceilings.

His Response: "Spencer,

Wow. In which world are you living in... You are competing in a troubled economy and your estimate is WAY over the roof. I have people with years of experience with ins. and bonded giving me estimates of one third of yours. I hope you can take constructive criticism . I have done many houses before and never had a estimate so blown off the roof. Sorry you wasted your time.

John

Permit and Inspection coordination 150.00

New 100 amp service panel, rigid mast through the roof with

flashing, ground rod, new grounding to water pipe, new meter. 1,000.00

Dryer Circuit (30 amp, 4 wire) 100.00

Wire Kitchen to code. 2 20 amp counter top circuits with required GFCIs, Garbage disposal and dishwasher circuit, refrigerator dedicated circuit, general light switch at both doors. (Room down to studs) 380.00

Bathroom- Code required GFCI with 20 amp circuit, vent fan (fan included), installation of (customer supplied) wall light fixture. (Room down to studs). HVAC, Plumber, or Contractor will need to provide ducting to the vent fan. 165.00

6" can light with trim ring, bulb, and installation. Price assuming no existing ceiling. Kitchen Can Lights

4 @ 45.00, 180.00

Laundry Room- Dedicated circuit to washing machine, installation of (customer supplied) ceiling light fixture. (Room down to studs) 135.00

Back room off of laundry- wired to code with general outlets and ceiling light (customer supplied) with switch. (Room down to studs) 120.00

Install (customer supplied) porch light on back porch. Install outdoor GFCI receptacle and in-use cover on back porch. 85.00

Basement- One general use GFCI outlet, General bare bulb lights wired with switch at top of stairs. Dedicated circuit to Furnace 175.00

Living room- re-wire outlets to code, front porch light (customer supplied light fixture). Install provisions for ceiling fan and install (customer supplied) ceiling fan at trim out. Minimal holes in walls may need to be made in order to fish where access is not available. 215.00

Room left of front door- re-wire outlets to code, Install provisions for ceiling fan and install (customer supplied) ceiling fan at trim out. Minimal holes in walls may need to be made in order to fish where access is not available.

190.00

Install 3 way switch for stairwell. Few holes may be needed for the 3 way line and the smoke alarm feed in the 2nd floor ceiling. 140.00

2nd floor- Bring outlets up to minimum spacing and replace wiring to code. Install ceiling light fixtures (customer supplied) at trim out. 365.00

Interconnected smoke alarm system as required by code- One in each bedroom, one in 2nd floor top of stairs, one on first floor, one in basement. Cost of alarms included.

305.00

Outdoor outlet (GFCI) with in-use cover for front yard 45.00

240 volt circuit with disconnect to Central AC unit. $120 if needed, the heating and cooling company may include this

This bid brings the house to compliance with the current electrical

Total

$3,750.00

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Comments (10)

dezwit
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Spencer,
I don't know who this slug is but he was getting one hell of a deal as far as I am concerned.
I would have thought this job should have been in the 7K to 8K range.
He mentions people with insurance. For that kind of money, I don't believe a word he says.
The best thing to do would be to find out who his people are, sub your work to them, and go fishing.
Where are you located?
justnigel
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I really don't know what prices are like in your neck of the woods, but I'd love to see the work of the guy that does what's described for $1,250.

Consider yourself lucky you aren't working for this guy. (Though he's probably gonna call you back to fix everything after Mr 1250 is done.)
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joed
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
At least he apologized for wasting your time.
leevin
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"Spencer,
Wow. In which world are you living in... "

I have the same question. I can't imagine doing that amount of work for ONLY $3,750! I realize you are in a part of the country where the labor rate is much lower, but some of the work seems to barely cover material costs. You were giving him a GREAT deal.

For him to suggest he is going to get the work done for 1/3 your quote tells me he is full of crap! Do not even think about lowering your prices after hearing comments like that.
bus_driver
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We have no way to gauge the sincerity of the potential customer. He is free to react as he chooses to the quote. Move on to better things. Since he has rejected the quote, it is no longer valid. If he calls to accept, add $50.00 to the original as a new quote.
spencer_electrician
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
This is out of Kansas City Missouri, which is not a poor place at all, but is also known for having relatively lower service related costs. The particular location is Wyandotte County in Kansas. Which is 75% crime infested, broke, and houses falling down. I think this locality must have its own regular electricians that bill out $20 an hour. Think it is also common over there for an inspection to be passed on a 100 amp service panel connected to an old 60 amp service, smoke alarms optional, and other numerous violations. I have bid on slum projects like this before and have had the person come back 6 months later saying they need interconnected smoke alarms added. The utility company is also messed up over there. On service upgrades, I'm required to reconnect the energized drop to the service point, myself after it passes inspection.

Guess it's just a reminder. "You want an estimate where?" "Oh Wyandotte?" "We don't service that area"
s_anthony
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OMG.. that estimate would have been double, almost triple out here and is one of the many reasons I am trying to learn how to do some of the basics to just get by until we can get an electrician to bring us up to code 100%. I do work an electrician to do the stuff I don't know how to do and to check my work, but even still his prices aren't anywhere close to that. If you ever come my way, I'd love to get an estimate!
pjb999
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Point is, with an attitude like that you DON'T want the guy's business, besides, if he can get it that much cheaper why is he even bothering to contact you? My thought is, he's either bs ing or knows he really doesn't want to deal with the others but wants your quality of work for their prices, or just thinks "well, we're in a recession, where is the recession pricing?"

You probably don't want to work for someone with such an attitude. You are a long way away from me but I can see it's a good price anyway, I work alongside electricians almost every day so can guess at their costs etc and it sounds pretty good to me - do you do work in British Columbia? ;)
maryland_irisman
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Spencer,

Like the others here have said....this guy is BSing you. I'll bet he calls you back now that you haven't lowered your price any more. I know you have food to put on the table but if it were me, I wouldn't deal with him any more unless you get your money up front...he'll stick you for sure.
sniffdog
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
spencer

I wish you lived in my area - your rates are more than reasonable. I just had a new home built in Northern VA - the electricians were out of Winchester VA which is a lower cost of living area - probably comparbale to your area. They have great rates and here is what they charge for some things

35 dollars per outlet (includes wiring, outlet, and plate)
50 dollars per switch
100 dollars per recessed can (includes wiring, can & trim)
400 dollars per 100 Amp sub panel (this is only for the cable extension from the main and the sub panel box - you pay for each circuit & breaker added)
80 dollars per chandelier box (bolted into studs)

I read your list and for similar items you listed, your prices seemed quite good, especially since this is not new construction.

I too had sticker shock when I got the estimate from my electricians to do a lot of the extra wiring I wanted in my house (stuff beyond minimum code). I knew they had good prices, I just could not afford the extra cost (like cans - I have 87 in my house). So I did the work myself and paid them to inspect my work.

It sounds like this was a job worth passing up.

does this look expensive to you? funny response from angry person

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dezwit

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does this look expensive to you? funny response from angry person

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