Cost of electrical work

Section62

Susan1942 said:

It was just changing the existing light fittings which were already 
Who in their right mind would book an electrician for a full day to do that.  

That's true, but in the current climate it can be very difficult to get good competent tradespeople to even quote for reply to emails enquiring about small jobs. The hassle factors involved in just changing a few lights isn't worth it when there are builders paying through the nose for days (or weeks) worth of subcontract work.

Which means people then have to go with less competent handy-people, possibly not doing the job properly, maybe with no paperwork whatsoever. But willing and always available to do odd jobs (often for cash).

You do at least have the reassurance your lights have been fitted by someone competent, and you have some degree of comeback against them if anything does go wrong.  You could have been in a much worse situation.

Susan1942

The bill is actually £265 and not £292.  He has put it on my FB messenger.  No details like a bill just the figure and bank details 
My daughter says he can do any jobs. Know he sorted out central heating.  Plumbing etc.  
It is said that there is a price for things and then a price for the retirement property I live in.  Mine is called a penthouse but I call it an attic. It has private lift access 
I live by Christ Church and have a great view of the Stray  
Who knows I just know he didn't charge my Daughter anything like this for work they had done 

Thanks Sue 

rob7475

Susan1942 said:

The bill is actually £265 and not £292.  He has put it on my FB messenger.  No details like a bill just the figure and bank details 
My daughter says he can do any jobs. Know he sorted out central heating.  Plumbing etc.  
It is said that there is a price for things and then a price for the retirement property I live in.  Mine is called a penthouse but I call it an attic. It has private lift access 
I live by Christ Church and have a great view of the Stray  
Who knows I just know he didn't charge my Daughter anything like this for work they had done 

Thanks Sue 

If he was an electrician, I'd have said his price was maybe a little high but you're paying for his knowledge, certifications etc. It sounds like the guy is a handyperson though. I don't know any qualified electricians who'd want to start messing around with plumbing or boilers.

If he is just a general handy persion, I'd say the price is on the high side

Susan1942

Yes he does seem to be that he is a multitasker.  My SIL knows him from somewhere.  
He told me that he was very busy during the Lockdowns.  He said he never advertise his work always comes by word of mouth 
Not sure but he says that he does work mainly in food.  Have worked in the US and Middle East but I didn't ask him what he actually does.  He does general maintenance work from what my Daughter says.
I thought I was very fortunate in finding someone who can do odds and ends for . That is out now.  Thanks everyone for your input. I will never get a job done without a quote again 
I have a great joiner / kitchen fitter who has done absolutely everything to do in his field.  I absolutely trust him and would never overcharge me.
Whats done is done .
Sue 

TELLIT01

I know the OP realises they should have asked the cost, but it really does mean the fault is all theirs.  The tradesperson has done work and needs to be paid.  As others have said, it's quite possibly a 'day rate' which has been charged.  If the work took 3 1/2 hours, add travel time in, plus possibly starting later to accommodate customer requirements, and there isn't time to go to another job.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The trader was obligated to provide OP the with:

the total price of the goods or services inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the goods or services is such that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is to be calculated;

It's not down to the consumer to guess what the cost will randomly be.

If it was an off premises contract and the trader didn't provide the OP with the details regarding the right to cancel they aren't even obligated to pay anything as they can just cancel the contract.

grumbler

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

If it was an off premises contract and the trader didn't provide the OP with the details regarding the right to cancel they aren't even obligated to pay anything as they can just cancel the contract.

I am pretty sure this is incorrect. Yes, the contract can possibly be cancelled, but not after the job is done.

Section62

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

The trader was obligated to provide OP the with:

the total price of the goods or services inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the goods or services is such that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is to be calculated;

It's not down to the consumer to guess what the cost will randomly be.

Not condoning dodgy traders or people being overcharged.... but I think it worthy of caveating that "obligated".

Strictly speaking a trader isn't obligated to do anything when approached by a would-be client (other than not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics).

They can choose not to reply to your email, or not pick up the phone, or just say "Too busy".

Which I'd say is very likely to be the most probable response if you start quoting The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 at them when you ask if they can do a little job for you.


Business only works properly when there is a two-way flow of information and people are clear with each other what is wanted and expected.  And it has to work both ways.

Susan1942

Thanks for all your views. My daughter says someone recommended him to them..He sorted out their central heating boiler.  They had a company who came twice but still had a problem. Said he listened and did a temporary fix but replaced a part.  He also sorted their washing machine.  She says she thinks he is an engineer but is doing domestic repairs etc now. She said they paid him.less than the original company who were not resolving the issues.
Maybe I am out of touch with prices.  I had to call my joiner/kitchen fitter. I had new carpet laid today.  I was also looking for the electrician who normally would do any work I require.  He works as part of a team that Adrian uses. I told him how much I had paid and he thought it was very expensive.  It's my own fault.  I now have the phone no for the electrician I would normally use.  The shop where I bought the lights and gave me the telephone no for an electrician.  What is done is done now

I appreciate all your comments 

Susan1942

There was a mention of when the tradesman arrived to do the job... It was his request to start the job at 10 am. I had no input as to the time.
I had a decorator here for 9 days and he arrived at 8 am each day.
The carpet fitters were here at 9 am They had to pick up the carpet from the shop.