But My Mate Got It For Less - Why electrical prices vary so much
There are a range of factors for why the same job can vary in pricing and and it mostly comes down to time. But I will explain below in more detail a few of the most common factors that affect pricing of electrical work.
The same job isn’t always the same job: Adding a powerpoint on a wall where there is already one on the other side is a relatively quick and simple 20 minute job, whereas adding that same powerpoint to an internal wall where no other one exists can take more than an hour and adding a powerpoint to an external wall can be somewhere in the middle or it can take even longer than all the other options depending on a variety of factors including the construction style and materials used in the building. That is just one example of how the same end result can take different amounts of time to achieve.
Previous work completed: If we are working on something that has previously been done by another contractor or DIY enthusiast then we are obligated to ensure the work meets all relevant standards and may need to complete additional work before we can sign off on the job, this will always be discussed with the client before extra work is completed.
Updated electrical standards: Another factor to consider and it may mean that in order to install additional wiring or equipment into your building that we may need to upgrade you switchboard with RCD’s (safety switches) to sign off on the job as compliant, again this is always discussed prior to the job being completed.
Many other factors can contribute the job pricing including:
The quality/brands of components used: There can be a large difference in costs of materials and this is generally a case of you get what you pay for, we offer more budget friendly items where possible but are not willing to sacrifice on safety and won’t install lower quality gear that is likely to fail and require warranty service.
The location of the job: Fuel and Travel time is a significant cost for trades and this must be taken into account when pricing up a job.
The timing of the Job: If your job is required to be completed outside business hours then the pricing will be higher to cover the additional costs of wages.
Job Access: If the job is easily accessible then it will take less time and therefore end up costing less.
So as you can see there are lot of things to take into account when pricing up trade and electrical work, you can help reduce your costs by ensuring the tradesman has easy access to areas that need work, ensuring manholes are clear and that any work that need to be completed before the electrical work is done so we don’t need to make unnecessary return trips.
