any electricians here?

[Greg Grimes01]

my uncle wants to replace all of his wall plug and light switches for a new modern look. he contacted his neighbor(retired electrician) about doing the work,he gave him a price of 7.00 per plug/switch,and 10.00 if he has to replace the box. does this seem fair? thanks....

 

[George C]

I don't know about the price but changing plugs and switches is very easy to do. At a price of $7 each that is going to be a lot of money. Can your uncle just buy them and do it himself? Just a few wires and a couple of screws.



George

 

[Todd Z]

The "decor" switches and outlets can be up to $4.00 each at home depot... The electrician can get them cheaper from an electrical house in quantity....



$7.00 each is a good price to pay, BUT do the math I counted close to 40 outlets in my house and 30 switches, Plus close to 8 GFI's.... Those are $15.00 each outlet....



It is easy as heck to change them..... Just turn off the power, Though I have done many of them live...



Todd Z



P.S Geroge the only thing you know about electricity is me !....LOL... HAHAHAHAA

 

[shawn stonbraker 2]

If he's not replacing the wiring in the walls, then I agree with Geaorge C. They are very easy to replace (just be sure and turn off the fuse to the outlet/light). Shouldn't have to replace the boxes unless he's going with a completely different set-up than what was there. Is his neighbor still part of the union or what? That would be damn expensive unless he's including having to run new wire. But even at that quote, it doesn't sound like it though.

 

[Greg Grimes01]

thanks for the help . he is not capable of doing it himself.parts cost is not a problem.he was wondering about labor costs. does that seem high? what would be a good price per outlet?

7.00 per plug/switch,labor only...10.00 if he hasto replace the box(metal versus plastic)

 

[Todd Z]

ohhh.... I thought that was including Parts......

Then I would look for about $5.00 each labor...

Todd Z

 

[Jacob Dryer]

It takes about 5-7 minutes per outlet/switch.



That price seems high to me, but I'm not an electrician.

 

[Dale Paris]

guys, even at 8 an hour, that is not even 60.00/hr,



just over half of what it would cost to have one come in from the phone book.



after 30 yrs in the trade, that is a good deal. Don't like it? do it yourself, and then call him to fix the problem you caused.

At full shop rate.

 

[Chops]

Dale,

What is the going rate anyway, and is it standard or driven by geography?



I just totally gutted and rebuilt my kitchen with under/over/in cabinet lights, ran new 6-3 romex for the ovens, rerouted and a bunch of other stuff, just curious as to how much I saved



Oh and agreed it is simple to do outlets, but that is not what g grimes asked, he asked how much.



My neighbor can't even replace a simple sprinkler head, but hey he has money to blow.

 

[Ron N]

It would also depend on if you are comfortable with this person coming to do it.I know in alot of older, the seventies, homes the grounds were not properly tied in. So if he does that as well that is not a bad price.Dale you would remember the F.H.A. housing of the seventies._Ron

 

[CountyMounty]

I agree with Dale that compared to the rate it would cost you to hire a real electrician it is a good deal, that is as long as this guy is competent. The going rate here is about $75/hr so that would mean he would have to do at least 10 switches an hour to be equal and although that is almost possible to do if it is just simply switches the outlet and cover they will not work that fast. I just completely rewired the upstairs of my house and replaced all of the downstairs outlets myself but my dad who used to be an electrician helped me out some.

It is not difficult to do.



Depending on what he wants for switches/covers it is much cheaper to buy them in bulk at Home Depot or Lowes etc than to buy them individually although they do not sell all the styles or colors in bulk. It is a fairly simple process to replace the outlets/switches and covers but if you have to replace the box itself that requires a lot more work. I would say for him to go pick out what he wants at the hardware store and as long as this neighbor seems competant to pay the $7 per outlet fee.

 

[Dale Paris]

the cost per hr is set by the going rate in the area you are in. here it is 75 /hr min, shop rate, most shops have a 4 hr min call out.



it would be pushing it to do 8 plugs an hr. easy to do in new const, but to pull the old, and redo, might get an adverage of 6 1/2.



the neighbor in the above post is giving the guy a cost of 3/4 to 1/2 off the going rate. Nice side work for him.



I bill my side work out at 50/hr. and work faster then most. if the custermer wants a flat bid, then it will cost him more.

 

[biznaga]

I installed teh new "square" recpticles and the new rocker switche all through my house. twice. Pulled and replaced with "old fashioned ones" when I moved out of last one and installed them in new home.



It is easy. Much easier if power is shut off to recpticles and switches. Cost by 10 pkg at Home Depot and or Lowe's is very cheap.