Garden PIR Floodlight Needs Installing. How Do I Hire A Good Electrician?

cyclonebri1

Rockingit wrote: »

The problem with 'going rate' is that it doesn't really exist. And 'parts' also is a highly variable quantity - it's not like there only being one size/make of air filter to fit a car.

For example, in Somerset where I am, I have to charge £200.00 per day + VAT (or pro-rate thereof). Ask me to look at a 'project' and I'll give you a fixed quote instead. Now, that's fairly cheap-to-competitive around here, but if I tried to charge that in certain places in the UK I'd never hear the phone ring - likewise in the M25 I'd never be able to get off the damn thing as I'd be exceptionally cheap.

Because....an hourly rate has to take into account the business overheads divided by hours of work - and it costs a lot more to operate in some places than others.

Does this mean we should only have tradesmen operating in certain parts of the country and abandon everyone else?

Well this is the issue, the "going rate" in my area for say builders and joiners is £100 to £120 per day.

And your 2nd highlit point causes real problems for us as most trades, even 3-4 man concerns, are chasing bigger money in the southern areas.

Myser

Wonder if the OP has managed to have the lights fitted yet? This thread seems to be going slightly off-topic now!

electribem

Myser wrote: »

Wonder if the OP has managed to have the lights fitted yet? This thread seems to be going slightly off-topic now!

Seems like I've opened up a whole can of worms here.

Thanks for asking. I still have not had my lights fitted yet. Currently reading a DIY book on wiring & lighting from the readers digest. All very confusing. Nice pictures though. :rotfl:

Myser

electribem wrote: »

Seems like I've opened up a whole can of worms here.

Thanks for asking. I still have not had my lights fitted yet. Currently reading a DIY book on wiring & lighting from the readers digest. All very confusing. Nice pictures though. :rotfl:

If you want to learn more about lighting wiring and electrics in general, have a look in your local library. You should be able to find some useful books there that are hopefully up-to-date!

cyclonebri1

Myser wrote: »

Wonder if the OP has managed to have the lights fitted yet? This thread seems to be going slightly off-topic now!

Fraid not, you need to go back to post#1 where the op says;

" I need a qualified electrician to do the job. How do I go about securing a reputable one (one where I won't get fleeced)? What are the things to do and look for when getting such tradesman"


then you will see why it went this way, ;)

stebiz

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Fraid not, you need to go back to post#1 where the op says;

" I need a qualified electrician to do the job. How do I go about securing a reputable one (one where I won't get fleeced)? What are the things to do and look for when getting such tradesman"


then you will see why it went this way, ;)

I did offer:rotfl:

cyclonebri1

And I'm still looking for your "honest and decent" solicitor;);)

electribem

Update:

I have found an electrician via the Rated People website. Well update on how it goes after he has completed the work this weekend. Have to say it has taken a lot longer to find one that I was happy with than expected. After friends recommendations all fell through I was at a loss. Even resorted to thinking of doing the job myself but obviously decided against it in the end.

fluffpot

I love Polish electricians.... as it provides me with plenty of work sorting out their mistakes as strangely enough the wiring regulations in UK are not the same as in Poland.