Edited to now include a breakdown of first fix and second fix pricing!
My builder has quoted £95/point (first fix) plus VAT regardless of whether a downlight, plug socket, dimmer, pendant, CAT6 point etc. But then also £35/point plus VAT second fix to attach lights/faceplates which I'm buying separately. So £130/point before VAT or fittings. It adds up to £32K (pre VAT) for a large 3 bed, 2 bath flat (wall lights, downlights, pendants, plugs, coaxial, ethernet points etc) and is being done while the place is unoccupied and all floors are up and walls exposed. I'm in London. Am I in danger of being hugely ripped off here? I've quibbled the cost, but he says that's what his electrician always charges and that the only thing he could look to reduce is the second fix portion. It's frustrating because he has done super work for a few of my friends' full renovations, but the electrics cost just seems stratospheric...
First Fix breakdown (counting points):
JOB 1: Install 1st fix cabling and back boxes for all electrical work £22,895 (241 points @ £95 per point):
(1) internal and external lighting as well as led strips 83 points
(2) internal and external sockets as well as appliances sockets 58 points
(3) spur sockets (veluxes, skightlights, appliances, UFH thermostats, towel rails, japanese loo) 19 points
(4) switches and isolation switches as well as shaver sockets 52 points
(5) data and tv as well as door bells 14 points
(6) heat and smoke as well as carbon alarms 11 points
(7) extractor fans and humidistat 4 points.
Total 1st fix points 241 x £95 - £22,895.00
JOB 2: Supply and fit new fuse board £745.00
JOB 3: Run the cables to the back of the garden £625.00
JOB 4: Earth bonding and testing as well as an electrical certificate once the job is completed £485.00
Second Fix Breakdown (counting faceplates not points):
JOB 5: ALLOW FOR INSTALLING ALARMS & FANS:
JOB 6: ALLOW FOR INSTALLING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (@ £35 per point):
- Fit 4 x Coaxial TV points (1 in Loft Bedroom, 1 in kid’s 2F Bedroom, 1 in 1F Living Room, 1 in 1F Office) all with coaxial connections to aerial on roof. - 2nd fix and connection £140.00
Further context on the place to give a sense of size:
It’s an upstairs flat split over 2 levels, with a cellar and stairs down to the garden and:
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 office (or third bedroom)
- living room
- kitchen
- family bathroom
- ensuite
- utility with WC
- 3 landings
- 4 staircases
- cellar area
- balcony for garden steps
- exterior/garden lighting
I suppose my big concern, other than the fact that I think the builder is putting a big mark up on this, is that I’m being charged the same per point whether it’s chasing 10 double plugs into a brick wall or putting 10 downlights close to each other into a new ceiling…