Is this a fair quote from electrician?

8 years ago

Hi Houzz friends. We just purchased a home, built in 1993, on a slab. Doing some updates to the 1st floor. We gave the punch list below to two electricians. Their quotes came in at $5000 and $2750. Big difference between the two, so wanted to post to Houzz to get some opinions. The $5000 quote includes switch plate covers + bulbs, the $2750 quote does not.

2-story foyer:

- Replace chandelier

Family Room:

- Relocate thermostat to left side of wall (currently in center of wall)

- Add recessed lighting (approx. 6-8 cans)

- Add TV/Cable outlet over fireplace

Kitchen:

- Run pipe to island approx 5 feet away from existing wall receptacle (GC will be cutting path in slab)

- Add recessed lighting (approx. 6-8 cans)

- Wire + install 2 pendant lights over island

- Wire for 2 receptables + microwave in new kitchen island

- Add circuit for refrigerator (frig moving to new location)

- Remove/relocate existing outlets within 2 interior walls that is being removed and replaced with LVL support beams

- Relocate outlets along backsplash to be under new cabinets

Featured Answer

greg_2015

8 years ago

Costs are very location dependent. And your description is too brief to know the extent of the work. I'm assuming these electricians also visited the site?

It's always a good idea to get at least three quotes so that you have a better idea of who is being reasonable and who is high/low.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

The Haven
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Greg. The house is located in Georgia. Agreed re: 3 quotes. We have a 3rd stopping by this weekend for site visit.
Related Professionals
Kingman General Contractors · Juneau General Contractors · Athens Home Remodeling · Marietta Home Remodeling · Norfolk Home Remodeling · Rutland Home Remodeling · Eugene Bathroom Remodelers · Oshkosh Home Remodeling · Washington Kitchen Remodelers · Cambridge Kitchen Remodelers · New Braunfels Kitchen Remodelers · Saginaw Kitchen Remodelers · Miami Bathroom Remodelers · Toledo Bathroom Remodelers · San Jose Bathroom Remodelers
randy427
8 years ago
I'd ask all of the bidders about the probability of cost growth due to a requirement to bring some of the 1993 wiring up to current code. Your $5k proposal may have included more 'hidden' work than the other.
The Haven thanked randy427
The Haven
Original Author
8 years ago
Good idea Randy. Thanks for response.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
8 years ago
It's not unusual to get widely varied pricing on remodeling work for the reason randy427 noted: there are a lot of unknowns in a remodel and potential upgrades required to comply with current codes. The higher cost proposal may reflect more insights about the true scope of work. Or not.
The Haven thanked Charles Ross Homes
Denita
8 years ago
If you are updating your electrical, make sure you get a permit. I'm not talking about adding a few outlets or low voltage here. But if the scope is larger than what you posted, like changing out an electrical panel because you don't have enough room in the current panel or upgrading the service or adding a sub-panel, then make sure you have the electrician pull a permit.
The Haven thanked Denita
Ron Natalie
8 years ago
And as always GET REFERENCES, preferably from someone you trust.
The Haven thanked Ron Natalie
User
8 years ago
Mr 2750 is highly suspect. Is he even licensed? Probably using the cheapest cans in existence rather than the new LED trims. Probably not gonna repair the slab. Or protect the house from dust. I mean, you have at least 2K in can lights alone. Plus trenching a slab? And relocating the whole kitchen world?

5K Guy is borderline low for that amount of work.
The Haven thanked User
mike_kaiser_gw
8 years ago
An incandescent BR30 bulb and even the most basic trim ring costs more than one of the retrofit LED/trims.

The GC is cutting trench for the island and presumably control dust while doing so and patch it.
The Haven thanked mike_kaiser_gw