Is this a good price for electrical work?

[Lightyear68]

I have an attached 2-car garage, 400 sq ft, 9 foot ceilings drywalled, set up with builder specs including 2 ceiling light fixtures and 1 light switch.

My first estimate for upgrading the electrical was 1300 dollars. I'd appreciate your opinions on whether that's a fair price for the following:

(1) Add an electrical sub panel.
(2) Add 10 outlets on ceiling (for 10 fluorescent plug-in shop lights not included in estimate).
(3) Add 17 wall outlets including 10 always on, 6 for accent lighting (6 plug-in style track lights for wall accents, and 1 heater outlet (220V 30A).
(4) 1 Cable TV Jack.
(5) Add 3 wall switches to control shop lights, accent lights, and every-day use lights.
(6) EMT over the drywall. (I was going to remove the drywall in advance but the electrician said it would cost more for him to have to work through studs).
(7) He estimated a 2-day job...I thought it was more like 1.

I'll get a few more estimates, but I wanted some advance opinions...

 

[capww8]

Is the sparky supplying all of the wire, emt, boxes, and outlets?

 

[jake00]

I've got a 400 sf garage 9 ft ceilings. I've got 2 8ft 2 bulb fixtures and its bright as hell.

That said, I'd think that would take 2 days.

 

[Lightyear68]

Is the sparky supplying all of the wire, emt, boxes, and outlets?

Yes, 1300 for all parts and labor.

 

[Lightyear68]

I've got a 400 sf garage 9 ft ceilings. I've got 2 8ft 2 bulb fixtures and its bright as hell.

That said, I'd think that would take 2 days.

I'm setting the garage up for auto detailing, so the light setup is very specific...forgot to mention that.

 

[krdiesel03]

If he is licensed 1300 is a good price,

 

[SALIV8]

I think that's a good price. But get 2 more proposals and see where the chips lay.. I always get a minimum of 3 bids for pricey work if possible.

 

[Playwme]

Bargain, compared to here anyway. That'd be on the wrong side of $2500 in this part of the world, and even that would be a good price.

 

[Trey T]

2 full day job for licensed, bond, and insured electrician. This is like mid-level electrician efforts 5-10yrs and I would say the labor rate would be around $60/hr.

16hrs @ $60/hr = $960 in labor

$1300= $960 (labor) + $340 (material and equipment). Does that make sense to you? if so, it's a fair price!

 

[jeff000]

As a sparky I would charge 1000 for the sub panel. And about 1400 for the rest.
Keep in mind pulling the cable for all his unnecessary receptacles takes a good bit of time and money, easily doubling the parts costs.

I'm curious about what you have planned for lighting to need that many outlets. Same with the walls actually, get a good deal on 3' extension cords?

For detailing 4 nice t5 figures on the ceiling and 2 mounted on each wall would still be the best lit detail Bay I've ever seen.

 

[LXCam]

Ya bud that's a deal.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Around this part of NY, that would be a fair price. Sometimes you can get guys to come in cheaper, but not a Pro.

I have run my own wiring, and I can tell you that while I do a good job, I am not as quick as someone who does it every day. That might be a one day job for a guy with a helper. And while I can and sometimes do run my own wiring, I often pay for the speed and convenience of having a job done by someone else. What would take me several weeks or more of spare time is done and waiting for me so that I can concentrate on getting the maximum results from my labors on the construction end. It kick starts the project into motion, and I don't have to be there to know the job is being done right.

If you shop around, maybe you will save a couple of hundred bucks. How much is your time worth ?

 

[CNGsaves]

For your area, that sure sounds like great price . . . of course assuming the guy does quality work and the surface mounted EMT looks good when done.

Curious what AMP subpanel you are installing?? How many circuits?? I would suggest that it be big enough that you could also add 240v circuit for welder or compressor if needed later.

Do you have natural gas in the house?? Have you considered a hanging natural gas heater instead of electric?? If you go with NG heater, you'll want an electrical outlet up on ceiling near the heater.

For the CATV run, I'd also suggest that you pull wire for internet (ie CAT-5e/6) along with another CAT 5e/6 to use for telephone - - thus 3 wires pulled in total (RG6 for CATV and qty 2 of CAT-5e/6).

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

That's a great price for the amount of work. Make sure your wall receptacles are 20 Amp with the wire right sized.

Are you going to have an air compressor? Might be worth it to add a 240v circuit and receptacle at the planned location while he is there.

OT-I graduated from Bel Air High in 90 and used to work at Palm's Pizza (now closed) across from the fire station. After I graduated, I went active duty in the Air Force.

My parent bought a house in Edgewood, so I would visit them when I could.

It is a nice area. It has gotten much bigger since then.

Jim

 

[nehog]

Yes, 1300 for all parts and labor.

Easily a two day job, you don't give info on the sub-panel specs but I'd say the quote is good.

 

[Lightyear68]

That's a great price for the amount of work. Make sure your wall receptacles are 20 Amp with the wire right sized.

Are you going to have an air compressor? Might be worth it to add a 240v circuit and receptacle at the planned location while he is there.

OT-I graduated from Bel Air High in 90 and used to work at Palm's Pizza (now closed) across from the fire station. After I graduated, I went active duty in the Air Force.

My parent bought a house in Edgewood, so I would visit them when I could.

It is a nice area. It has gotten much bigger since then.

Jim

Thanks Roaster--will take your advice. Depending on your age I might have been your assistant principal at BAHS...and now my office is overlooking the firehouse. Small world.

For your area, that sure sounds like great price . . . of course assuming the guy does quality work and the surface mounted EMT looks good when done.

Curious what AMP subpanel you are installing?? How many circuits?? I would suggest that it be big enough that you could also add 240v circuit for welder or compressor if needed later.

Do you have natural gas in the house?? Have you considered a hanging natural gas heater instead of electric?? If you go with NG heater, you'll want an electrical outlet up on ceiling near the heater.

For the CATV run, I'd also suggest that you pull wire for internet (ie CAT-5e/6) along with another CAT 5e/6 to use for telephone - - thus 3 wires pulled in total (RG6 for CATV and qty 2 of CAT-5e/6).

Also good advice CNG that I will take--didn't think cable and phone or 240v.

As a sparky I would charge 1000 for the sub panel. And about 1400 for the rest.
Keep in mind pulling the cable for all his unnecessary receptacles takes a good bit of time and money, easily doubling the parts costs.

I'm curious about what you have planned for lighting to need that many outlets. Same with the walls actually, get a good deal on 3' extension cords?

For detailing 4 nice t5 figures on the ceiling and 2 mounted on each wall would still be the best lit detail Bay I've ever seen.

Jeff--I'll have two detailing bays; each bay with 5 lights; 2 on each side and a front/back. It's standard for paint correction--and I'll add some portable/handheld incandescents for swirl inspections...The two lights on each side is needed because of a beam/bulkhead that splits the space and blocks light.

 

[Lightyear68]

Sincere thanks to all posters.

I'm not new to forums, only new to GJ, and I have to say that the high ratio of quality response compared to sarcastic rhetoric is much appreciated.

Yes, my electrician came highly recommended and is licensed, bonded, and insured. I feel much better about the quote, and found the cost breakdown from Trey and other electricians here to be helpful--thanks.

 

[SHOCheapRacing]

Lightyear68, I may be contacting you to see how this worked out. I will be doing the same thing (a few less outlets and lights) in couple of weeks after moving to Bel Air and will need a recomendation for an electrician.

 

[jeff000]

Ah, planning two bays. Makes more sense.

I wouldn't have thought a 20*20 space was large enough for two cars.
I have 24*24 and even with my jeep Cherokee literally inches from the wall I still bump my 145lb *** into it and the wall on the other side waxing a c350 which isn't even a large car.

 

[MDJames]

I recently had a 240v twist lock receptacle put into my ceiling with about 35 feet of run from my basement to my garage - 10/2 romex - at a cost of $1k. I would say your quote sounds extremely good to me. I am in Maryland and this was going with the mid priced quote I received.

 

[Lightyear68]

Lightyear68, I may be contacting you to see how this worked out. I will be doing the same thing (a few less outlets and lights) in couple of weeks after moving to Bel Air and will need a recomendation for an electrician.

No problem, let me know. I have a second meeting scheduled Oct 10th.

Based on the posts here, I'm reducing my lighting to 8 fixtures in one large rectangle, and also reducing my wall outlets in exchange for retractable extension cords.

I'll have two contacts for you after Oct 10th--one right now that is highly recommended and gave a good first impression on his professionalism and price.