Yes. My spouse was incensed by this very question. In our case the deletions gave us zero. They agreed to add a switch in the kitchen as a favor. Otherwise the charge was $75. I suppose we came out better than some.

So here's the deal we got: They give us credit for the entire amount related to recessed lighting (fixture + labor @$70 per can), and I will buy the fixtures myself. (Note: architect spec'ed Lightolier LEDs, we wanted trimless recessed lighting from Element).

Electrician will install the new Element lights for the same $70 per can labor costs, BUT, there's a footnote in the Change Order that says:

The part that worries me is that they will not warranty the lights and will charge $150 to replace faulty ones. With over 150 recessed lights, I'm sure there will be quite a few "faulty' ones. I suppose this is the compromise for not letting the Electrician make the margins on the fixtures themselves.

Jeffrey Grenz, thank you for your post! It's always good to hear "the other side's" perspective.

I'm not always automatically assuming the contractors are out to screw me, a lot of times it comes down to miscommunication. I've always tried to be as precise and clear as possible the scope of my request... (sometimes too precise!). Most contractors I find have little patience to read long emails or read long documents, so I've really had to hone my skills to keep things short and sweet but include all relevant information. Anyway, digressing from the topic.

I hope the Element recessed lights are as nice as they look on the brochures...

In defense of the electrician, they do need to charge more if they are to provide complete warranty service as well as misc parts that might be needed. Also, they likely install a lot of the Lightolier (and Juno and ...) fixtures so are familiar with them, what works, what doesn't, etc.

Personally I would have them acquire the fixtures you want and install them and provide warranty on them. While they may be decent folks who will take as much care installing these for you to warranty as if they were to cover the warranty, it's also possible they'll not take as much care if they know that they will not have to cover any issues.

Yeah, that is what I was leaning towards as well. I will give him the price my supplier quoted me, and I'll tell him -- if you can buy these cheaper go ahead, happy for you to keep the difference, but I'd like warranty. He will likely be able to acquire the fixtures for a much lower cost than I can....

"...The part that worries me is that they will not warranty the lights and will charge $150 to replace faulty ones. With over 150 recessed lights, I'm sure there will be quite a few "faulty' ones. I suppose this is the compromise for not letting the Electrician make the margins on the fixtures themselves..."

Well...I don't know your general contractor or electrical sub...so you may be right.

On the other hand...how reasonable is it for an electrician to "warranty" lighting fixtures that he didn't order, ship or receive and inspect before bringing to the job site? You have assumed those responsibilities by virtue of your decision to purchase and supply.

Your contractors have given you a very good deal on the credit amount and the cost to install your fixtures, IMO.

It's simple really.

Ask yourself if you would warranty a large number of products which were simply handed to you (from who knows where) for installation...

Yes, that's a good approach...if he can purchase the fixtures and will do so...on the other hand, the supplier may be one s/he has never had business dealings with and may or may not be willing to do business except on a retail level.

Thus you may not save any money, and the project schedule may be lengthened.

But this approach should take care of the fixture warranty issue, assuming s/he can purchase and install! :-)