Spencer,
I don't know who this slug is but he was getting one hell of a deal as far as I am concerned.
I would have thought this job should have been in the 7K to 8K range.
He mentions people with insurance. For that kind of money, I don't believe a word he says.
The best thing to do would be to find out who his people are, sub your work to them, and go fishing.
Where are you located?

I really don't know what prices are like in your neck of the woods, but I'd love to see the work of the guy that does what's described for $1,250.

Consider yourself lucky you aren't working for this guy. (Though he's probably gonna call you back to fix everything after Mr 1250 is done.)

At least he apologized for wasting your time.

"Spencer,
Wow. In which world are you living in... "

I have the same question. I can't imagine doing that amount of work for ONLY $3,750! I realize you are in a part of the country where the labor rate is much lower, but some of the work seems to barely cover material costs. You were giving him a GREAT deal.

For him to suggest he is going to get the work done for 1/3 your quote tells me he is full of crap! Do not even think about lowering your prices after hearing comments like that.

We have no way to gauge the sincerity of the potential customer. He is free to react as he chooses to the quote. Move on to better things. Since he has rejected the quote, it is no longer valid. If he calls to accept, add $50.00 to the original as a new quote.

This is out of Kansas City Missouri, which is not a poor place at all, but is also known for having relatively lower service related costs. The particular location is Wyandotte County in Kansas. Which is 75% crime infested, broke, and houses falling down. I think this locality must have its own regular electricians that bill out $20 an hour. Think it is also common over there for an inspection to be passed on a 100 amp service panel connected to an old 60 amp service, smoke alarms optional, and other numerous violations. I have bid on slum projects like this before and have had the person come back 6 months later saying they need interconnected smoke alarms added. The utility company is also messed up over there. On service upgrades, I'm required to reconnect the energized drop to the service point, myself after it passes inspection.

Guess it's just a reminder. "You want an estimate where?" "Oh Wyandotte?" "We don't service that area"

OMG.. that estimate would have been double, almost triple out here and is one of the many reasons I am trying to learn how to do some of the basics to just get by until we can get an electrician to bring us up to code 100%. I do work an electrician to do the stuff I don't know how to do and to check my work, but even still his prices aren't anywhere close to that. If you ever come my way, I'd love to get an estimate!

Point is, with an attitude like that you DON'T want the guy's business, besides, if he can get it that much cheaper why is he even bothering to contact you? My thought is, he's either bs ing or knows he really doesn't want to deal with the others but wants your quality of work for their prices, or just thinks "well, we're in a recession, where is the recession pricing?"

You probably don't want to work for someone with such an attitude. You are a long way away from me but I can see it's a good price anyway, I work alongside electricians almost every day so can guess at their costs etc and it sounds pretty good to me - do you do work in British Columbia? ;)

Spencer,

Like the others here have said....this guy is BSing you. I'll bet he calls you back now that you haven't lowered your price any more. I know you have food to put on the table but if it were me, I wouldn't deal with him any more unless you get your money up front...he'll stick you for sure.

spencer

I wish you lived in my area - your rates are more than reasonable. I just had a new home built in Northern VA - the electricians were out of Winchester VA which is a lower cost of living area - probably comparbale to your area. They have great rates and here is what they charge for some things

35 dollars per outlet (includes wiring, outlet, and plate)
50 dollars per switch
100 dollars per recessed can (includes wiring, can & trim)
400 dollars per 100 Amp sub panel (this is only for the cable extension from the main and the sub panel box - you pay for each circuit & breaker added)
80 dollars per chandelier box (bolted into studs)

I read your list and for similar items you listed, your prices seemed quite good, especially since this is not new construction.

I too had sticker shock when I got the estimate from my electricians to do a lot of the extra wiring I wanted in my house (stuff beyond minimum code). I knew they had good prices, I just could not afford the extra cost (like cans - I have 87 in my house). So I did the work myself and paid them to inspect my work.

It sounds like this was a job worth passing up.