Electrical companies come in a variety of sizes and ages. Hence, quotes can vary a great deal due to the size of the company and the number of workers it has.
Larger companies often have hidden expenses and overheads that can influence the price. So, depending on the size of the task, you can reduce your costs by picking a company that isn’t going to charge you an arm and a leg for a small job.
Small to medium businesses are most appropriate for small to medium domestic jobs, and medium to large companies are more suited to handle larger jobs. However, this doesn’t mean small businesses can’t do both. There are definitely some that are more than capable, so it’s just a matter of shopping around and asking about the experience of the business and what kind of work they have done
Should I pay a callout fee?
Some businesses tend to charge a call out fee to quote and some don’t, this solely depends on the business’ structure, availability and ability to dedicate “free time” to quote on a job that may never eventuate.
You may come across companies that will charge a quotation fee to cover their time spent visiting and quoting the job. So if you can, take advantage of the “free” ones, but don’t be shy about paying a small fee for some professionalism as sometimes you’ll find greater and more honest suggestions as you are paying for it. 99.9% of the electricians I know that ask for a quotation fee always deduct it out of the price of the job if they are successful, so it ends up really being a free quote anyway!
Do materials affect the price?
Materials definitely influence the cost of the work. Cable changes in price almost daily as copper’s price fluctuates on the market. Although in most cases it’s only minor, at times it can surge – sometimes in our favour and sometimes against.
Some really common products used (GPOs, switches, junction boxes, etc) can also change in price depending on the manufacturer. Unfortunately, everything in the world is going up in price, and it usually affects everyone – from the manufacturer all the way to the consumer.
These are just a couple of things to consider and understand when shopping around for an electrician – and any other trade or service.
Don’t forget your electrician is the “doctor” in their field, so don’t be shy about asking questions and investigating the answers. And always remember to shop around and compare quotes; there’s always a good deal waiting somewhere – but I would choose the professional over the cheap price tag any day!
Electricians on ServiceSeeking.com.au charge a minimum of $50 per hour. Do you think this is a good rate?
About author Moe
Moe is Director of Electrotech, a Sydney-based company, and has many years of experience as an electrical contractor. He is committed to providing the best quality of workmanship and excellence -safely and responsibly.
Electrotech offers quality customer service, with the team on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The wide range of services offered includes ALL electrical works, Switchboard Upgrades, Data & Communication Systems, Security Systems, Audio & Visual Systems, Industrial Automation & Control Systems, Air Conditioning, Service & Maintenance contracts, Renovations, Shop & Office Fit-Outs, and Safety Inspections.