How much to chnage strip light?

gabyjane

We have bought a 3 bulb spotlight strip to replace the school type strip light we have in our new build! very odd considering a new house but still how much are we looking at?

Also bought a lightswitch from focus and have lost the instructions..again how much to wore that up..
Many thanks

spark1

To fit a light and switch to existing wiring, I would say about £25.

baldelectrician

spark1 wrote: »

To fit a light and switch to existing wiring, I would say about £25.

That's assumming you work for free.

Basic pay (what you give the spark + tax + NI) = £17.00
The other £8 won't cover holiday pay,fuel, tax, insurances, scheme registration fees ....


A more realistic fee would be £35-£45 all in.
(remember you need a to get a certificate, and the price for this should be included)

spark1

Not sure you need a cert to swap a light and switch ? the problem these days m8, people ask for what they need, rather that what the job is really worth, and I dont work for free.

baldelectrician

To change a light and switch you need to check existing installation is safe, and bonding is up to standard.

How do you know the light is earthed if you don't even do an earth loop test?
How do you know the cpd (fuse / mcb / RCD) is going to operate if there is a fault otherwise?

For works like this you could issue one minor works certificate- assuming both the light and switch are on the same circuit.

ps I am not trying to appear condescending, but I try to do my work well, and to a fair price.

spark1

Dont take long to put an Earth Loop Test at the fitting, the worst case, they have a pvc light and switch with pvc switch screws if need be, Im not digging, just being realistic, the domestic game is very competitive, Ive had plenty of rows with the niceic, about giving any tom !!!!!! and harry part -p staus with the logo badges, their attiutude is go into commercial.

baldelectrician

spark1 wrote: »

Dont take long to put an Earth Loop Test at the fitting, the worst case, they have a pvc light and switch with pvc switch screws if need be, Im not digging, just being realistic, the domestic game is very competitive, Ive had plenty of rows with the niceic, about giving any tom !!!!!! and harry part -p staus with the logo badges, their attiutude is go into commercial.

Don't have part P up here (thankfully) it's either full scope NICIEC or SELECT for warrantable works.

The domestic game is also competetive here as well, but not as much.
When I started (on my own business) the first job I had was a light change - I charged £15 for 10 mins work (no test equiment then) and was asked "are you qualified ?"

Next job, same type I charged £25 and was told 'thats a bit cheap'

Then stuck at £30-£35 for a while and made not bad income.
Business costs have gone up markedly- diesiel and materials mainly.
It is now usually £35-£38 for up to the first hour (no travelling time charged locally, no call out charge Mon-Fri 8am-4pm)
At £35 p/h I make less than I did 3 years ago.

Remember it's a different market here (to some extent). When people sell their house something may appear in a survey, and if it's not done correctly it may throw a spanner in the works. I am talking about larger jobs and alterations.

Very few customers want jobs for nothing with a 50% discount , most expect a reasonable price.

There is a HIP replacement coming to Scotland on 1st December 2008. Every house will need a full survey. This doesn't include the electirics, but if recent work is noticed then some paperwork will be required.

Also the chargeable time is usually only on site. Not running around and quoting or travelling between jobs (unpaid)

inspect

baldelectrician wrote: »

There is a HIP replacement coming to Scotland on 1st December 2008. Every house will need a full survey. (unpaid)

:eek: Good luck! Hope it doesn’t turn into the fiasco that it is for England & Wales. What a mess.:eek:

gabyjane

Thanks for that..it's a new build so wiring all in check as had it tested when moved in. I will ring a few people and see what they come up with, thanks again.