Overcharging doesn't necessarily mean looking at the total price - although, to be fair, most of us do consider the bottom line when making a decision. Electrical work in your home should be carried out by an electrician who will leave your home in a safer state than it was before.
As part of this week's article, I'll outline some simple information you should know when receiving electrical quotes.
Your quote should include a detailed breakdown of the work to be performed and a breakdown of materials - what is included in the quote? I think this is very important. As a homeowner in Failsworth, I've witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by simple misunderstandings between the homeowner and an electrician.
What materials are going to be used? This may seem silly to suggest that the materials the trades person uses will be inferior, but unfortunately, it does happen. Many of the items fitted in your home, such as ventilation systems (fans), consumer units (fuse boxes), and downlights, must comply with several electrical and building regulations. Using inferior products obtained cheaply can leave your home in a dangerous condition, leading to an increased risk of fire and electric shock.
If the quote you've received seems very cheap, I would suggest asking the electrician how the work can be done so cheaply. Remember, an electrician has to issue certificates, buy quality materials, provide a high standard of workmanship, be reliable and trustworthy, and above all, be suitably qualified and insured to carry out the work. This is in addition to buying their tools and running costs such as office, insurance, advertisement, yearly checks from a government body, etc.
Quoting a customer for remedial work following shoddy and dangerous workmanship is never a pleasant experience. Of course, this has cost the customer more money in the longer term. I have seen jobs where the electrician has left part way through the job as the money had run out, leaving the customer's home in a worse condition than it was in before.
I have also seen instances where incorrect cable sizes have been used to connect household items such as cookers and showers, leading to cable meltdown and fire. Live cables being left in customers' homes when the electrician has left the job temporarily (often to go to a bigger, more lucrative job)
Don't feel pressured into accepting a quote. Take the time to think about what is suitable for your home.
An electrician doesn't cost the earth, but please don't fall into the trap of accepting very cheap quotes thinking that you will save money.
It probably isn't if something doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts and go elsewhere!
What materials will be used? The idea that materials used by the trades person may be inferior may seem silly, but unfortunately, it does happen. A number of electrical and building regulations apply to items installed in your home, including ventilation systems (fans), consumer units (fuse boxes), and downlights. The use of inferior products obtained cheaply can leave your home in a dangerous condition, leading to an increased risk of fire and electric shock.
If the quote you've received seems very cheap, I would suggest asking the electrician how the work can be done so cheaply - remember that electricians have to issue certificates, buy quality materials, provide a high standard of workmanship, be dependable and trustworthy, and, above all, be properly qualified and insured. In addition to buying tools and maintaining their van, they also have to pay for running costs such as office, advertisement, tax man, etc.
Having to quote for remedial work following shoddy and dangerous workmanship is never a pleasant experience. Of course, the customer is left with a larger bill in the long run. My experience has been of electricians leaving part way through the job due to money shortages, leaving the customers' homes in worse shape than before.
Similarly, I've seen instances where incorrect cable sizes have been used to connect household items like cookers and showers, leading to cable meltdowns and fires. Leaving live cables in customers' homes when the electrician temporarily leaves the job (often to go to a bigger, more lucrative job).
Take your time considering what is suitable for your home, and don't feel pressured to accept a quote.
You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to hire an electrician, but you should be careful not to fall into the trap of accepting very cheap quotes assuming that you will be saving money.
In my experience, if something does not feel right, it probably isn't right. Trust your instincts and go somewhere else instead.
CONTACT V&R ELECTRICAL SERVICES
If you are looking for a professional and reliable electrician in Failsworth, Manchester or surrounding areas, V&R Electrical Services is your top choice as a local electrical company. We focus on safety, inspection and electrical installation for domestic and commercial clients.
We at V&R Electrical services provide only professional work to all our clients with five years or lifetime warranty.
Contact Viliam from V&R Electrical Services today for more information.
