Professional Light Fixture Installation Cost

[Platonic Solid]

A recent GJ layout client reported that it's costing him $85 each for the electrician to install 2x2 edge lit flat panels in new construction. Panel cost = $39. Surface mounting kit = $20. Grand total = $144 per fixture. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[cybrdyke]

Well, obviously, there could be lots of variables to this.
How big of a PITA is the surface kit?
How many are there?
Are we connecting 0-10 controls?
How many circuits?
What's our substrate?

If this is a small job, ladder work (not scaffolds), with obstacles on the ground and the surface kit is a pain to assemble, then it wouldn't surprise me that he charges this much.
CD

 

[barnee]

I just had my twelve 2 by 4 flat panels installed with the surface kit:

I assembled the surface mount kit ahead of time which took about 5 minutes each (had to screw the four edges together to form the box).

The surface mount kit attached to my drywall ceiling using 4-6 drywall screws each. most didn't hit the joist but the screws are rated for 40 lbs each which is plenty secure.

Just had to remove one side of the surface mount kit, direct wire the flat panel, slide the panel into the kit and then reattach the end panel.

An electrician and his helper put all twelve up (at 14' high) in about 4 hours at $95/hour. Comes to $32 per panel install cost.

 

[barnee]

I used these wall dog anchors. No predrill or toggles and they really work. Saved a lot of install time.

http://www.powers.com/product_2314.php

 

[Platonic Solid]

CD - Mounting height 50/50 between 10 and 13 ft. New construction drywall, no obstacles, 2 circuits 0-10VDC dimming.

barnee - Thank you. That's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[cybrdyke]

CD - Mounting height 50/50 between 10 and 13 ft. New construction drywall, no obstacles, 2 circuits 0-10VDC dimming.

Sounding easy. There will be some time above the ceiling, crawling around routing wire, installing boxes, etc. Time will be spent routing wire to wall boxes for both power and control. All this will likely take longer than the actual installation of the fixtures. If the guy is a pro sparky, he's gonna do it correctly with no half-assing things.
Once he gets into a routine on the panels and kits, it should take about 15 minutes each.
So, it depends on how you count. If you're just counting the time to install a fixture, then $85 for 15 minutes is excessive. But if you add in a few hours of rough-in work, moving tools and ladders around, and even travel time, when zero fixtures have yet to get installed, then the costs pile up.

CD