Electrician Quote

KellyWelly

Hello, another one from me...

I got the quote this morning from the electrician to do some work in my new bathroom and to say I was shocked is an understatement.

The quote says:

• Remove current lighting system (two rooms knocked into one, two bog standard pendant lights)
• Install client supplied concealed downlighter spots
• Install humidistat extractor fan
• Install switches etc

Cost £546+VAT

Is he taking the wee wee or is that for real? Three years ago I had 10 spots plus my oven wired in in my kitchen for £350+VAT and they supplied the light fittings.

I am still waiting to hear from him if he is supplying the fan or not, I have to supply th lights.

Thanks for your help.

KellyWelly

I should probably add that there is already a fan in the bathroom which is located above where the shower will be. I was planning to have a fan with a light in it over the shower so in effect all that will be done is the old one taken out and the new one put in it's place about 2 inches to the left. I assume the same pipe/chimney set up already installed through the ceiling and attic could just be attached so there is no need to install it from scratch as such.

Rosebery_2

KellyWelly wrote: »

Hello, another one from me...

I got the quote this morning from the electrician to do some work in my new bathroom and to say I was shocked is an understatement.

The quote says:

• Remove current lighting system (two rooms knocked into one, two bog standard pendant lights)
• Install client supplied concealed downlighter spots
• Install humidistat extractor fan
• Install switches etc

Cost £546+VAT

Is he taking the wee wee or is that for real? Three years ago I had 10 spots plus my oven wired in in my kitchen for £350+VAT and they supplied the light fittings.

I am still waiting to hear from him if he is supplying the fan or not, I have to supply th lights.

Thanks for your help.

No its about right IF he supplies the lights and if he has to upgrade the bonding at the CU to comply with the 17th. Theres probably at least one extra RCD to go in the CU as well.

Don't forget theres he's also got to test, record results and notify the job. All takes time.

Rosebery_2

KellyWelly wrote: »

I should probably add that there is already a fan in the bathroom which is located above where the shower will be. I was planning to have a fan with a light in it over the shower so in effect all that will be done is the old one taken out and the new one put in it's place about 2 inches to the left. I assume the same pipe/chimney set up already installed through the ceiling and attic could just be attached so there is no need to install it from scratch as such.

Then why has the sparker quoted for something different? Have you changed your mind? In which case why not get him back to give you an alternate price which may be more to your liking now you've changed the scope.

KellyWelly

No, I haven't changed my mind about anything, I added that bit to indicate that in effect 'install fan' meant just replacing the existing one with a new one that was safe to go above a shower since there isn't currently a shower there, iyswim.

I had another electrician come out today and he's indicated that it won't cost nearly as much as that even including the materials and light fittings.

I spoke to my plumber who was actually the one who got the quote as part of the whole price for the bathroom and he agreed it was way off the mark and said he wouldn't be offended if I got my own quote elsewhere.

The bloke today said the CU is fine (it's new) they will just add the extra RCD.

dwarvenassassin

KellyWelly wrote: »

Hello, another one from me...

I got the quote this morning from the electrician to do some work in my new bathroom and to say I was shocked is an understatement.

The quote says:

• Remove current lighting system (two rooms knocked into one, two bog standard pendant lights)
• Install client supplied concealed downlighter spots
• Install humidistat extractor fan
• Install switches etc

Cost £546+VAT

Is he taking the wee wee or is that for real? Three years ago I had 10 spots plus my oven wired in in my kitchen for £350+VAT and they supplied the light fittings.

I am still waiting to hear from him if he is supplying the fan or not, I have to supply th lights.

Thanks for your help.

How many downlights? Are they fire rated? Are they 12V SELV?
Supply and fit humidistat extractor, MUST be IP Rated 12V SELV for the position you describe and these do not come cheap. Is there local isolation? If not this must be supplied.
Install switches etc.? Is the switch position changing? If not, is the current wiring plastered in? Does it need to be chased and plastered?

Without all the correct facts it is hard to say whether this is a fair price, but as Rosebery said, it sounds about right, although possibly a little on the high side.

Oh and moving a 4" fan 2" left is impossible without replacing the section of ceiling it is in - unless you want a 6" hole.

KellyWelly

dwarvenassassin wrote: »

How many downlights? Are they fire rated? Are they 12V SELV?

6 downlights, IP3 which I have to supply.

Supply and fit humidistat extractor, MUST be IP Rated 12V SELV for the position you describe and these do not come cheap. Is there local isolation? If not this must be supplied.

There is already a switch outside the bathroom in the hall for the fan. As far as I was aware, the fan will cost about £50 and after checking I've got to supply it.

Install switches etc.? Is the switch position changing? If not, is the current wiring plastered in? Does it need to be chased and plastered?

The current set up is separate bathroom and toilet with separate lighting, once they are combined into one room we only need the single switch to operate all the lights which is going to be on the wall outside in the hall like the fan switch.

Oh and moving a 4" fan 2" left is impossible without replacing the section of ceiling it is in - unless you want a 6" hole.

I've spoken to another electrician and he's advised me to leave the fan where it is to save having a big hole to repair, like you've said. I'm expecting his quote any day now, I'll let you know what he says. I still think £630 is excessive.

dwarvenassassin

630 IS too much

a couple of more bits for you to be aware of ...

1 - Unless you have really high ceilings, make sure any light / fan above the shower/bath is suitably protected against water ingress.

2 - just about every downlight on the market will meet the requirements for IP3X, IP ratings have nothing to do with Fire protection though. I would recommend installing downlights with integral fire protection (Robus are good and reasonably priced if bought from a decent retailer. http://www.e-tradecounter.co.uk/p-501-12v-fire-rated-shower-downlights.aspx <-- Not necessarily the cheapest place, for product reference only and not a supplier recommendation)

3 - If you are supplying the downlights and fan, I'd do this for < £200 (assuming easy access to ceiling from loft over bathroom. Also assuming that lighting circuit is suitable for the alteration in its' current state, consumer unit will accept RCBO & bonding is up to scratch).
If you cannot easily meet the 17th Edition requirement for RCD protection on the circuit then it could get much more expensive.

Rosebery_2

Now the OP has clarified I agree it is too much.

KellyWelly

Thanks for all your help, I've accepted a different quote for the same work including all materials for £450 total - £180 less than the other bloke plus the fan and lights etc supplied.

I think the lights and fan are probably £100 or thereabouts so it's probably more like £280 less - plus the work comes with a 12 months warranty which wasn't offered by the other electrician.