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Thread: Reality check

  1. 22nd July 2004, 08:50 PM #1
    MikeK
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    Default Reality check

    All,

    I need some advice……. I recently received a quote for upgrading the electrical supply to my garage (for my woodworking machinery requirements). The quote came to nearly $2900! :eek: :eek: :eek: Needless to say, this was well above my expectations. The advice I need is: “is this reasonable?”.

    The quote is as follows:
    - Install sub circuit, board and earth leakage protection in garage
    - Connect 40 amp supply at main fuse board
    - Install 1*20amp circuit and outlet for same
    - Install 1*15amp circuit and outlet for same
    - Install 4 double * 10amp outlets and circuit for same
    - All outlets are positioned along the right side of the garage above bench top
    - Supply and install 4* twin 36 watt diffuser fittings above bench. Install switch for same
    - Exclude digging of trench at depth of 300mm.

    My situation is that the garage is detached from the house. The house is where the main circuit board is. There is approximately 15m between the house and the garage.

    Also, he charged me for his time when he was at my house assessing the situation. He didn’t tell me he was going to do this at the time. Is this “standard”?

    Thanks.
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  3. 22nd July 2004, 09:11 PM #2
    ozwinner
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    Quote Originally Posted by MikeK
    Also, he charged me for his time when he was at my house assessing the situation. He didn’t tell me he was going to do this at the time. Is this “standard”?

    Thanks.
    Of course this is standard.
    I see you need someone to come look at some brickwork you need doing?
    Ill be there tomorrow for $300, and give you a quote.
    Gee at this rate, I wont have to actualy do any work. X400

    Al
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  4. 22nd July 2004, 09:12 PM #3
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    Barry_White
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    Mike

    There must be thousands of sparkeys in Sydney I would get at least four quotes. The only problem is has the building boom died of yet.

    I suppose in this day and age of charging for quotes may become standard but I would tell him if he gets the job you wont pay for the quote, I supose he was covering for his time incase he didn't get the job but by all means get other quotes.

    For the distance of 15metres it sounds a bit high to me. Is it a complete new install or is it an upgrade.

    P.S. I would take with a grain of salt what Al says
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  5. 22nd July 2004, 09:27 PM #4
    ozwinner
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barry_White
    P.S. I would take with a grain of salt what Al says
    Owhoooooo, Baz

    Al
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  6. 22nd July 2004, 09:27 PM #5
    MikeK
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    Bazza,

    I absolutely will get a number of quotes. Re your question "Is it a complete new install or is it an upgrade." - it's a new install.

    Al,

    Thanks. It's a serious question though. I don't mind paying if someone lets me know that it will cost something up front. I've seen a bundle of "free quotes" in advertising though and I was wondering if the situation was changing.
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  7. 22nd July 2004, 09:33 PM #6
    ozwinner
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    I wouldnt pay for anyone to come and give a quote.

    He obviously has too much work on hand.
    Get some other quotes, the problem is to actauly get someone to come your place.
    I have been waiting for a sparkie to get to my place for the last 3 months.

    If I have too much work on, I will quote 4 or 5 times the real price, if you get the job good , if you dont, well it doesnt matter.

    Al
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  8. 22nd July 2004, 09:43 PM #7
    RETIRED
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    Has he given a break down of prices?

    I suspect that the main cost is the installation at the main power board.

    FWIW, our whole workshop runs off a 32A circuit. This includes 3HP machines, compressors and a welder occassionally.
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  9. 22nd July 2004, 09:53 PM #8
    MikeK
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    ,

    No breakdown. What I entered above is basically verbatim.

    Regards,
    Mike.
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  10. 23rd July 2004, 06:33 AM #9
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    Bob Willson
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    When I was tree lopper I used to give 'free' quotes. Having said that, there is no such thing as a free quote. The person who paid for the free quote I gave you is the person who paid for my time on the quotes that I did win.Almost $3k sounds Bloody expensive to me. I would expect about half that.

    A much cheaper way would be to do most of the work yourself (including buying the parts from an electrical wholesale store) and just get the sparky to do the final connections. Don't get a price, just pay by the hour. Even at $80 an hour this shouldn't cost much more than about $800 for the labour.
    Bob Willson
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  11. 23rd July 2004, 06:45 AM #10
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    I know that they say that living in sydney is dearer but mate i think this blokes taking you for a ride.
    While not a sparky i did have one for a bus partner :mad:
    this price sounds over the top

    Keep getting quotes
    Ian
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  12. 23rd July 2004, 12:05 PM #11
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    FAB
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    MikeK
    I had a shed wired from scratch last november.
    I had
    3 phase trenched in 10m
    sub board
    8 double fluros
    10 double 10amp points
    5 double 15amp points
    4 20amp points on seperate circuits
    all of above with breackers etc.
    2 days labour for $2777.98
    So I think your man is just a little over priced. I would tell him were to get off.
    Micheal
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