Thread: Electrician cost

don't bother buying the items to be installed unless you have done so already, the electrician will be able to get them much much cheaper than you.

there are too many variables in question, a lot of it will depend on access... a ceiling fan in the bottom storey of a double story house is a lot harder than one where there is clear roof access. same with lights. if there is access to the walls [usually by lifting the tin or removing tiles, or from underneath] then powerpoints aren't usually a problem. the cost of individual [and basic] items isn't overly dear if you get them at trade price.

get quotes, three is a good number to get.

Depending on the contractor, some have a per unit cost. For example $80 for each fan, $50 per GPO etc. If you are providing the hardware generally fan controllers come with the fans. Oh and i would'nt worry too much about cable, that's one of the cheapest parts, unless you start going into 4mm²+ generaly labour can be 40-60 per hr. for a tradie. An extra $20-$30 per hr. if an apprentice is also present.

These are just rough indications. It always pays to check your local newspaper for local tradies, they can be a hell of a lot cheaper than others.

Ok thanks, prob wasnt clear, I already had the work done. Prob should have got quotes first. The invoice amount I recieved really surprised me (double expected) thought I might be getting ripped.

Labour charged was $70 per hour (8 hours). Fan controllers did come with the fans, but was offered a combo fan / light switch which I accepted - no mention of price (I thought a few dollars) - $45 each. Double power points $18.50 each. I was very surprised by these materials prices vs retail prices. Several other materials, cable etc..did seem alright.

All of the above 10% gst added. The electrician was a major contractor employee and efficient. I gave some minor assistance feeding / catching wires, etc.

Nice to see there are no surprises there, i think that getting the gear yourself is a cheaper way to do it if you know what you will need, got a friend who gets alot of stuff off ebay.It always annoys me how they can charge what they want and get a good discount on the product when they purchase it too.we normaly get alot of electrial gear through work and can get up to 50% of asking price.By the way i am seriously thinking of trying to become an electrician I like the idea of going round charging what you want .

labour charges OK....material = rip off!

A double GPO - HPM Excel - $9. HPM Standard double GPO $7.

I think even at bunnies you'd only pay about $12 for a double GPO.

At those prices I'm gonna get an electricion from Queensland you guys must be laughing

In my experience here in Melbourne plumbers and sparkies seem to charge around $100-150 per hour.

Originally Posted by spartan

labour charges OK....material = rip off!

A double GPO - HPM Excel - $9. HPM Standard double GPO $7.

I think even at bunnies you'd only pay about $12 for a double GPO.

Spartan,

I think you are being a bit rough there. First of all do you expect the sparky to buy all the gear to fit out a vehicle with parts that may sit in the vehicle for a long time and just be expected to cover those costs? Dont you think that maybe if he has to buy several thousand dollars of stock so that the gear is on hand when he starts the job that maybe he is entitled to pass some of those costs onto you?
I mean in a retail shop most retailers mark up thier stock that they buy from the wholesaler by as much as 200%. I wouldnt expect to see that sort of mark up for a tradesman but 10-20% wouldnt be seen as extreme for the cost of carrying stock.

And before you ask no I am not a contractor, I just know what it costs to run a business. And a bit of advice HPM is the bottom of the rung in terms of electrical gear. Otherwise known as POS. Majority of contractors use Clipsal for the ease of fitting and knowing that you dont get many call backs due to failure. Bit dearer but you get what you pay for.

My 2cents worth.

Shane.

Originally Posted by maxpower

In my experience here in Melbourne plumbers and sparkies seem to charge around $100-150 per hour.

I'm moving to Melbourne
I charge 60 an Hour plus GST and still get people wingeing

I find it hard to believe the $150 rate, we have just completed office renovations and the electricians bill ranged from $28 per hour for a second year apprentice to $60 for a tradesman. GST on top of that, and this is a larger firm recognised as charging at the high end of local rates.

John.

Originally Posted by johnc

I find it hard to believe the $150 rate, we have just completed office renovations and the electricians bill ranged from $28 per hour for a second year apprentice to $60 for a tradesman. GST on top of that, and this is a larger firm recognised as charging at the high end of local rates.

John.

Not at all surprised.

I had a quote from a sparkie here in Perth some ten years ago to wire up a 3phase bore pump (I had everything exept the switch), he quoted $600.
I then got a second quote of $90.

On top of the $600 quote, sparky number one then tried to convince me that it was also his job to run the 12 volt reticulation wiring for an extra grand or so

Allways shop around.

Denn

It's not always easy to get three quotes.

SWMBO rang 4 elect contractors in the local paper and only one turned up.

Is $1300.00 too much to shift the meters from inside (old in the passage way) to outside.

As we intend to do an addition out back and install air con he suggested we connect 3 phase for an extra $350.00

Does this sound reasonable.

dont know if this has been said before but if you supply your own gear and it is faulty , then you pay for the sparkie to replace it. if it is his gear that is faulty he will replace it for free.
i love it when people say "but this hpm gpo has a 10 year warranty, and its only 10 dollars compared to your 12.50 double gpo ."
to which i reply " and how much does it cost to get a sparkie to take it off the wall, make the circuit safe, wait for you to duck down to the shop and get a replacement and fit it again?"
also it doesnt seem to get mentioned much but the biggest component of elec work is the testing to ensure correct operation/safety.

I think you are a bit unfair on HPM. I have at least 90 standard HPM single and double GPO's and 60 switch mechanisms in my place that have been there for 28 years and the only one that has failed is one that has a crack in it from being tightened up too hard on the wall plate.

BTW Bunnings sell standard HPM doubles by the box of 10 for $6.70 each.

Most of the electrical wholesalers have gone away from or only keep limited stock of HPM because of their marketing to places such as Bunnings, BigW and Kmart etc.