So I was quoted $1150 today to install an electrical outlet...

[Watchflair]

That's ridiculous. I'm all about whats the cost of the material and how much time will it take. Then you figure out their effective labor rate. $200 for an electrician is ridiculous.

I also tend to agree that the zip code you live in has a lot to do with what rates they quote. I tend to bring contractors in from outside the area I live in. I don't want them pulling up thinking jackpot... I also don't let my wife get the quotes either as I have a feeling that raises their number as well.

[mannyv11]

Union labor in my city is 120/HR ish plus 15 percent company mark up. That's regular time. A foreman is up near the 165 range. Never mind double
Time.

Electricians and tradesmen are doing A ok where i live.

[Sperry]

Even working somewhat quickly, it would hake me 45 minutes to get in and out of the panel. Can't see you doing that job in 2 hours. Unless you run wire exposed in cabinet to switch on side of cabinet, then to disposal.

The pro was probably figuring 8 hrs @ $125 plus material. Pretty standard rate.

[slorollin]

I'm in NC and was just quoted $1200.00 to replace my entire, main breaker box. I used to live in MD and sympathize with you. The home improvement/repair industry there is one of the most corrupt anywhere. You really have to rely on personal recommendations to find someone trustworthy and even then it's a battle to get them to show up.
I used to manage a lumber yard so, I knew many contractors. I'd say it was about 50-50 between good and bad. The bad ones would often brag about the shi**y work they got away with while working for suckers. There was one that made it a point to poop inside a wall during construction as a way of leaving his mark. He thought that was hilarious.
There are contractors that literally make their living fixing the work of other contractors.

[J!m]

Corruption is alive and well.

Maybe the corrupt mechanic working on their work truck will take a few similar short cuts... And when the brakes fail, oh well!

It always comes around.

[cajunron]

I am an electrician here in Atlanta. I would have charged you $240 dollars for what you described. You just need to shop around. (And yes, we are licensed and insured.) 2 hours labor at $80 pr/hr + $80 service charge. $1150 is highway robbery.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by cajunron

I am an electrician here in Atlanta. I would have charged you $240 dollars for what you described. You just need to shop around. (And yes, we are licensed and insured.) 2 hours labor at $80 pr/hr + $80 service charge. $1150 is highway robbery.

Now THAT sounds reasonable

[GB-man]

Ludicrous. I had about 20 linear feet of gas line (easily accessible in my basement) swapped for a larger diameter a few years ago and recieved quotes all over the map. First guy said 1200...next guy say I should consider repiping the entire basement and it's only 2500... I was sneaky and had the third guy arrive while the second guy was still in the driveway. $400

[josephvman]

I'm pretty sure you can make a better income today as a master plumber than a doctor doing internal medicine in a big healthcare group. It's only going to get more expensive to hire quality tradesman as time goes on. Generations have been told that they need to go to college and that working with your hands is for people who aren't smart enough to go to get a real education. A lot of them are still living with their parents, retired plumbers and electricians.

[zama]

Standard rate for tradies in Sydney Australia is circa $1000 a day, an electrician who do about 7 hours one day for me was $1,500 cash! Not bad for limited capital investment.

[Ferdelious]

I had a new outdoor tankless water heater installed last year. They had to run a dedicated line from the breaker panel in the garage, drill through my concrete block to the outside and put in a outlet. It was $250, sounds like a got a pretty decent deal compared to your quote. I'd take my business elsewhere.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by cajunron

I am an electrician here in Atlanta. I would have charged you $240 dollars for what you described. You just need to shop around. (And yes, we are licensed and insured.) 2 hours labor at $80 pr/hr + $80 service charge. $1150 is highway robbery.

Are parts free?