Unfair Charge for Electricians Quote?

anitabonita

Hello everybody,

My boyfriend is in the process of buying a house and had an elecrician round a couple of weeks a go to give a quote for any electrical work that might be needed. This week he received the following email (no attachments) stating a charge of £60 + vat

He was not told of any charge on requesting the quote so it came as a bit of a shock. If anybody could advise me as to whether this is a fair charge that must be paid or not I would be very, very grateful!


Thank you!

a visual report on electrical wiring ofaddress above
the following deficiencies were noted

consumer unit requires an ugrade to an rcd board

upgrading of supply tails

gas bonding requires upgrading

no evidence of bonding of water pipes

onlly one ring main in house

only one lighting circuit in house

this report was only a visual inspection as due to the time allowed afull inpection would take 2 to 3 hours

a charge of £60 +vat for this report

EliteHeat

Well that is certainly more of a report than a quote, quite a short one though.

Crossed wires perhaps?

mikey72

I would expect to pay the £60 for the full inspection he has mentioned, so I am reading the email differently to you, and would not see it as a request for any money now.

Soot2006

Seeing as I just paid £130 for a full inspection with lots of unscrewing of sockets & light fittings, lots of sticking funny machines into plugs and onto wires and writing down readings + a three-page report with lots of numbers I don't understand other than the glorious words: Nothing needs doing, the electrics are up to date & safe ... I think £60 for a quick visual is very steep indeed!


EDITED: further to the previous comment
-- is it actually an invoice you have been sent?

TomsMom

anitabonita wrote: »

this report was only a visual inspection as due to the time allowed afull inpection would take 2 to 3 hours

a charge of £60 +vat for this report

The way I read it - electrician is stating "this report was only a visual inspection" and "a charge of £60 plus vat for this report" - I'm taking it the meaning is he's charging for the "report" he's just done but it is a bit ambiguous.

I hope not.

Did he advertise "free quotes"?

I'd be contacting him asking where my quote was and if he's expecting me to pay £60 + vat for what he's already done. Like EliteHeat says, there could be crossed wires and he didn't understand exactly what you wanted.

suisidevw

Agree, with someone above. We paid £140 for a FULL test, inc a 4 page document which includes on a scale of 1-4 any probs that have arisen. Phone this leccie up and ask?!

baldelectrician

mikey72 wrote: »

I would expect to pay the £60 for the full inspection he has mentioned, so I am reading the email differently to you, and would not see it as a request for any money now.

I carried out a 'full inspection' on Wednesday. Arrived at 9.30, left at 12.45. Me and apprentice.

2 Guys 3.25 hours , £100-£150.

I also think £60 is a bit steep for a vusual report.

2 Points
You have invited a tradesman in to your house in his professional capacity and asked him to perform a task (give a report on the condition of the wiring)

If you had asked for a free quote then things would be different.

I am playing devils advocate, but would you make an appointment with your lawyer for say, half an hour and not expect a bill?

On the other side of the coin I would have asked the client what he wanted and may or may not have charged. Prior to charging in cases like this I always make things clear.I also have details on my website (this helps keep both sides right, and saves time wasters)

I think the electricain is not doing his business any favours.

When I do a visual and a short report I usually discount some or all of the cost against any work carried out for remedials.