Fair cost for installation of storage heater

TobyGilliam534

Hi all,

I need to get a storage heater replaced in my flat.

The electrician I'm using has quoted me 480.

I looked up the heater and I've found it available for 250-280 online. It's a Newlec NL10579.

He's told me that the heater part of the cost is 400 quid, then there's 80 installation on top so I'm guessing there's some marking up going on here. I think the installation cost seems ok but is a markup like that usual? I don't mind paying if I have to but did want to check.

I need to use this guy for reasons that I can't go into here but I just wanted to find out whether this would be considered fair, ideally from another electrician.

Toby

[Deleted User]

Hi,

that model is the 1.7kw, which seems small for a flat, unless you have others in the room.

Maybe he is quoting you for a 2.55kw, or a 3.4kw.

If it is the correct model, tell him, 'hey, I was doing a bit surfing/research on the net and I found 'this'.

See what he says.

I think his mark up is too much, he has said it would be £80 to fit, (less than half a day), so shouldn't go back on that.

If happy, you could bung him £20 'tip', (not obliged to), you're still saving £100ish.

paulpud

Are the prices he's quoted you inclusive of VAT?

That heater is around £280 plus VAT and delivery, which makes it almost £345. If he's told you the heater is £400 then he's putting a little more than 15% on top of that cost which isn't outrageous in this industry and he also may have offset a little of what he's charging as installation into the heater cost as £80 is pretty good for changing a storage heater as there's a bit of work involved - the old heater has to be disconnected, dismantled and removed before the new one is unpacked, assembled and connected.

Not saying you couldn't get it done cheaper, but it's not a bad price.

lstar337

You could always buy the heater yourself for a good price.

Then you can get any competent electrician to fit it.

Get a few quotes.

There is no way they can using creative accounting to charge you more then.

paulpud

lstar337 wrote: »

You could always buy the heater yourself for a good price.

Then you can get any competent electrician to fit it.

Get a few quotes.

There is no way they can using creative accounting to charge you more then.

It can indeed be a cheaper way of doing it, but there is a downside.

If the storage heater arrives faulty or damaged, the electrician will expect to be paid for a wasted visit. Likewise, if the storage heater stops working during it's warranty period and the electrician is called to investigate, if it is a fault with the heater itself there will be a bill to pay. Of course, if the electrician has supplied it, any costs for a defective heater or tracing and rectifying faults will be his problem.

It's always something to bear in mind when opting to supply items yourself to be fitted by others.

lstar337

paulpud wrote: »

It can indeed be a cheaper way of doing it, but there is a downside.

If the storage heater arrives faulty or damaged, the electrician will expect to be paid for a wasted visit. Likewise, if the storage heater stops working during it's warranty period and the electrician is called to investigate, if it is a fault with the heater itself there will be a bill to pay. Of course, if the electrician has supplied it, any costs for a defective heater or tracing and rectifying faults will be his problem.

It's always something to bear in mind when opting to supply items yourself to be fitted by others.

I would have thought a defective heater would be the responsibility of the manufacturer.

But as you say, there are downsides to each way of doing it.

jbainbridge

lstar337 wrote: »

I would have thought a defective heater would be the responsibility of the manufacturer.

But as you say, there are downsides to each way of doing it.

The manufacturer is unlikely to compensate the electrician for time wasted on their faulty products - which is one reason they add a mark up.

Someone else on here had a problem with a shower they (home owner) supplied ... I would very much doubt the manufacturer will compensate them / their plumber for the extra time taken.

TobyGilliam534

Thanks everyone so much for the responses, incredibly helpful.

It never occurred to me that the costs could be so much higher asking an electrician to sort this out rather than ordering it direct from the manufacturer. This is a really useful one for the future.

I had also totally not accounted for VAT which does make a difference. This is going to really help me to make a call on all this.

Thanks all!

27col

Install the thing yourself. It's not exactly rocket science. Hardly any more difficult than wiring a plug. Making sure of course that the supply is "off"..

Risteard

27col wrote: »

Install the thing yourself. It's not exactly rocket science. Hardly any more difficult than wiring a plug. Making sure of course that the supply is "off"..

I wouldn't recommend doing it without any knowledge about what you're doing.

TobyGilliam534

Again thanks for all the responses. I've got it sorted now - it's actually 150 miles from where I live so I wouldn't be able to install it myself!

This was extremely helpful - thank you all.