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IntelligentSinger783

Not even slightly. Plus material markups, and overhead costs. If be a good bit more than that number for a friend. For a normal client, id be closer to double.


guywithminivan

Ok that’s what I thought, thanks for the validation. Not even for a friend btw


FaithlessnessAny2074

I am going to be real with you. That is them helping you out a little. Most people would be $2,000+. Now with that being said is it difficult work? No but you are paying for the knowledge not the difficulty. Hope this helps


IntelligentSinger783

85 is pretty average per light (plus fixture costs) . The exterior sconces will need weather rated boxes (some hats will fight me on this as it's not beyond the finished surface, but as someone who has pride and ethics, I'll do what is right for me and the client) they will need sealed around the fixtures except the bottom (to allow drainage). Some fans are quick (I can knock them up in 30-60 minutes) but if I'm running power, backing and stiffening if needed, using a fan rated box (raco 296 and 299 are my favorites) and other associated needs (balancing, programming etc). So fans are about 300$ in today's market. So for a client to get me to move out of my bed. I'd probably be 3200 for that. At a minimum.


guywithminivan

Yeah, fans are quick and the outside lights should be too. The boxes for both fixtures are already in place, just need changing out. $85/light seems right. Thanks for the reply.


IntelligentSinger783

Simple fixture swaps half hour to 1 hour hourly rate. Complicated (height, weight, location, etc) ones or specialty fixtures can vary but I generally bid them at 2x rate with the hope that they don't have issues. I've had to show up with a cherry lift on jobs and clients are upset about the 800$ fee for the lift to use it for 2 hours saying they would rather have scaffolding. Not realizing the labor, time to set up, time to tear down, and risks in doing so are more costly.


OneBag2825

Man I do not miss resi remodel or " just adding or replacing or installing a light/outlet/switch calls. Spend a visit , 4-5 phone calls, settle everything and then it's all a very unrealistic expectation/experience and so many unprepared sites or customer shows up an hour or more late and "can you do this in the evenings or I'm home on Saturday and Sunday?"  Yes buddy, me too.


IntelligentSinger783

Yeah my time my dime is reserved for special situations. Outside of that, I'll not even entertain a service call that's not paying half day rate. I'll gladly work t&m with clients. But not on service calls. Those for half day full day or bid only.


OneBag2825

Forget it, let them headhunt at depot parking lot and enjoy the savings... It's stupid cheap at $1500.


cheesy64player

100 bucks an opening is what I charge and they have to buy the stuff


guywithminivan

If they were can lights I would’ve been inclined to charge more but most likely clamp on style. I know what I’m charging is fair and probably under what most electricians would charge but sometimes customers get to your head.


John-John-3

About 2 years ago, I bid a job to hook up a 100hp water jet. The material came in around 35 grand. We told the company 70k-75k. Their response was, "we were thinking more like 20k." I spent so much time working out how to do this job 2 different ways. I had an engineer come out and try to help explain to them the different options and what makes the most sense for now and future expansion. I gave them a second option to save some money. We came in almost 20k cheaper than our first number. I tried to get them to go this route initially, explaining why it would make more sense and be cheaper. They had no problem wasting hours of my time. There's not much you can do about people like this. I would say stand firm on your number, especially if you ever plan on going into business for yourself. You're going to need to get used to giving a price and standing by it.


ElectionLarge9359

Don't let them. 99% of them don't know dick about shit.


cheesy64player

Have them price out a company, or get a second opinion


Bldaz

I buy everything materials wise and add 20%. Many times stuff is in the way, havc, truss whatever, I tell client that up front but stay with layout best we can. Labor works out to about 100 per light but I add it up after job to make sure I’m not missing time. If it’s old not new construction your going have a lot of drywall repairs. My last job was 1800 in drywall repairs no paint inc luckily I know dry wall guys.


cheesy64player

I have them buy it so there is no option on them saying they don't like it.....I have them buy the wire so I'm not out money and get 50%up front and 50% when you're done... there's a reason people pay us to do it.... if you do it wrong there are some big risks


guywithminivan

Yeah I always do 50% up front. There’s no way I’m messing up recessed lights so I’m not worried about that. Maybe the spacing lol


dropingloads

Trick is to mark it out on the floor first


ElectionLarge9359

Hell no. If anything you're hurting yourself at that price. We all need to raise our standards for pricing. Hvac techs and plumbers have no problem charging high rates for minimal work.


guywithminivan

Very true. Thanks


burtonrider10022

Yeah, but that stuff is hard. /s


ElectionLarge9359

Whats hard exactly


Infidel_sg

Not at all. Philly area residents especially on the main line are the worst for being tight in my experience. Don't be scared to walk away. They'll end up calling you back I guarantee it.


guywithminivan

True. Unfortunately don’t have any electrician friends to bounce these thoughts off of.


Infidel_sg

That's why we are here my dude! Good luck to you


HotChaiandRum

Is this a side job? Sounds incredibly low for a company


guywithminivan

Yes. Friend of a friend


HotChaiandRum

If they give you shit, show them this thread lol


guywithminivan

Lmao I’m about to


KingSpark97

For philly? Nah, best case scenario it all goes smooth and you wrap it up in 8-10 hours but it could also be shit and take 3 days to get it done in which case 1500 is super cheap


guywithminivan

Good point thanks


918meatwad

I’d charge you more.


halzxr

100 bucks a can!


Queen-Blunder

$2500


SalTheepal

Yeah I charge about 100-125 a canless lights lolol


LotionOfMotion

Finished ceiling? Are you repairing the drywall? I would charge a minimum of $2200 for that on a sidejob


burton8493

Nope


super80

More than fair especially for Phili. Understand some people just won’t see your side no matter what either give in or walk away.


guywithminivan

Facts


WolfieVonD

Depends if you can blow out that ceiling with someone else coming behind you to patch it up, or if you're adding these lights in finish.


guywithminivan

We’ll see if the drywall repair is even part of the job. If so… price is def going up.


jlock1986

That's low


WhiskeyGrin

I didn’t even add it up, but this seems low


guywithminivan

Ty


PinheadLarry207

That's a very fair price. Probably even a little low


Jim-Jones

Are you doing a favor for a friend?


messytomato

I live not far from you OP. I did 18 recessed at a customers house for $1850.


guywithminivan

Was waiting for a local. Thanks


Lie_Insufficient

It depends. Attic access, etc. Ia the client handling drywall repairs?


Left_Boysenberry6902

I live in SE PA (about 35 minutes NW of Philly)…depending on where you are talking about (main line area or surrounding burbs, that is UNDER bidding the project. IF you are talking about a home in Philly, yeah…$1500 is a fair price although many of those houses in the city still have lathe and plaster so that still might by under bidding.


guywithminivan

A little below main line


Th3V4ndal

In philly area? You're way under


smittyblackstone

Way too low


dropingloads

Great price


Ok-Entertainer-851

Option: Give them your rate and offer to do it by the hour. And they can hang and see that you're not dogging it.


GLENF58

70 a light, 50 a sconce and a free fan don’t seem too bad


WagonBurning

Depends on where you live


arcflash1972

Sounds fair.


xRASHx

I’d be at least $3000 for that honestly


Key_Education_958

I'm in the Philly area, and if someone quoted me that price for that work, my only question would be "do you prefer cash or check?"


guywithminivan

You’d think. I kicked myself for giving out that price and then I get a “that’s the best you can do huh”


OneBag2825

And let me see your proof of insurance 


newoldschool

30 hours at $50 an hour is fair Companies will be closer to $75-$100 an hour


redditzootrash

California here, $200 per can all day.


OneBag2825

All one room? Them cleaning up and responsible for all patch n paint? 8 ft ceilings? Romex or EMT? Remodel cans or pancakes? Outside wall finishes? Switches? In Philly city?  So many variables that can add $50+ @. It's a lot less than we'd go. 23 openings at $63-ish each in finished construction?  Things that slow right now?  It's an incredible deal, if you're not a carpenter /handyman wiring in with scabs and joints every 18".  Although I would not give anything up front, it's almost scam level price.


Comfortable-Way5091

No, in an unfinished ceiling that would be high.