Electrician Fair Fee or Not

docians on 20/03/2022 - 20:11
Last edited 20/03/2022 - 20:44

Hi all
just after some advice on whether a fee I have been charged is fair (since I have no idea)
If the fee is fair, I will happily pay

So I got a quote from an electrician to do a few electrical jobs around the house
the total was around $800 including GST
edit (the most expensive item would perhaps be the addition of the safety switch to the main switch board, so that I could in future shift from a gas to an electric oven)

one of the jobs was re fit outside light at front door (this was a DIY job I had attempted, and with my failing eyes, failed to connect the wires correctly)

on the day, an electrician different to the one who gave the quote arrived
wrt above light, he said part of the wire was exposed, and he fixed it by adjusting the position of light (so as to hide the exposed wire)

in addition there was a lamp holder on another light that needed to be replaced (this was not in the original quote, but came up after quote)
eg a lamp holder like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-switched-lamp-holder_p705350…

So the two additional jobs he did were
1. adjusted position of light to hide exposed wire and connected wires correctly(personally I would have thought it would be part of refit light)
2. supplied and replaced lamp holder and bulb

the final bill was the original quote plus $140 (silly me I should have asked how much the lamp holder fixing would have cost)

would a fair price for these additional jobs be $140 including GST? (in which case I will pay)
Or am I being slugged?

(the reason I am asking is not because I do not want to pay, but I have no way of knowing if I am being silly and expecting it to cost a lot less)

thanks for your opinions

Edit 2: the query is not about the original 800 but the additional 140 ☺️

Home & Garden

Comments

  • AndyC1 on 20/03/2022 - 20:22

    It sounds reasonable with respect to the $800 quote that you were happy with.

  • AustriaBargain on 20/03/2022 - 20:30
    +2

    $1 to adjust the light. $939 for knowing how to adjust it.

  • SF3 on 20/03/2022 - 20:37
    +1

    You accepted the quote and let the electrician do that work. /thread

  • stirlo on 20/03/2022 - 20:56
    -1

    Yes.

  • redfox1200 on 20/03/2022 - 20:58

    rcd = $30 plus 30 mins to install

    fixing DIY $600

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/03/2022 - 21:11
    +2

    Yes - but did you come here to see if you can collect enough responses to go back to sparky to say hey mate ozbargain said you’re ripping me off?

  • elgrande on 20/03/2022 - 21:14
    -2

    but I have no way of knowing if I am being silly

    You tried to wire your own light, thats how you know you are being silly.

    • kfcfatfat on 20/03/2022 - 22:09
      -1

      The problem is tradies are too expensive these days and people are now willing to take the risk to DIY "simple" job. Seriously, a high school drop can make $150k+ after finishing the apprenticeship. A doctor graduate doesn't even get that. I know they make peanuts during their apprenticeship but the rate they charge is just nuts compare to Uni grad. Engineering grads gets about $75k to $100k.

      • Euphemistic on 21/03/2022 - 07:29
        +1

        Seriously, a high school drop can make $150k+ after finishing the apprenticeship

        You do realise that the apprenticeship involves a fair bit of learning and assessment don’t you? Just because a kid leaves school early to take on a trade doesn’t make them a dropout. If they can do an apprenticeship and make $150k I reckon that makes them pretty smart.

        • kfcfatfat on 21/03/2022 - 10:14

          A kid leaves school early to take on a trade is a dropout because they decided to not complete their schooling to take on a trade. My comment still stand that tradies are too expensive.

          • Euphemistic on 21/03/2022 - 11:23

            @kfcfatfat: Dropouts do not carry on with education. An apprenticeship is just a different type of education, not dropping out. They have trade/TAFE courses as part of the final years of school as well now.

            Seems you might be jealous of said apprentices. Leaving school early and earning big $

            • kfcfatfat on 21/03/2022 - 13:11
              +1

              @Euphemistic: Still, Electricians and plumbers are stupidly overprice in Australia. I think many people agrees, except for electricians and plumbers

  • pharkurnell on 20/03/2022 - 22:09

    He did more work than original quote… that doesnt come free.

  • phbk on 20/03/2022 - 22:12

    How long was he there for?

  • Gros21 on 25/03/2022 - 11:07

    $140 did he have to go for a run and purchase this item?

    Its not crazy money esp if he went out and purchased it.

    A lecky will not go and pick up parts you did not tell him about for free.

    You made something unsafe he fixed it and you are worried about $140.

    He prolly spent some extra time making sure you did not attempt any other repairs and double check stuff.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join