02-23-2016, 03:00 AM
I ask myself the same question sometimes.
I learned that prices vary A LOT. for example, I want to rewire 2 switches (I posted about this), and I think I could do some of the work myself, but I never cut and patched drywall, and I want to make sure I don't break any local electrical code, so I decided to hire a pro.
one guy gave us an estimate over the phone. One day eventually he came to have a look, we discussed into details what we have to do, and he committed to the original estimate of $400 + tax. But he as very busy and said he can't do it right away. Fine, we can wait.
I called him for the past few days and I could not reach him. Today an electrician showed up to do some work at my neighbor, and I asked him to come in and give me a quote. $1300. No kidding.
Luckily I was able to reach the first guy this afternoon and he comes on Thursday to do this job for $400.
Moral of the story is that you need to get more quotes, and also keep in mind that if you hire some guys to do only the smaller and trickier jobs, they might charge you more (per hour) than if you were contracting them for a larger job.
I learned that prices vary A LOT. for example, I want to rewire 2 switches (I posted about this), and I think I could do some of the work myself, but I never cut and patched drywall, and I want to make sure I don't break any local electrical code, so I decided to hire a pro.
one guy gave us an estimate over the phone. One day eventually he came to have a look, we discussed into details what we have to do, and he committed to the original estimate of $400 + tax. But he as very busy and said he can't do it right away. Fine, we can wait.
I called him for the past few days and I could not reach him. Today an electrician showed up to do some work at my neighbor, and I asked him to come in and give me a quote. $1300. No kidding.
Luckily I was able to reach the first guy this afternoon and he comes on Thursday to do this job for $400.
Moral of the story is that you need to get more quotes, and also keep in mind that if you hire some guys to do only the smaller and trickier jobs, they might charge you more (per hour) than if you were contracting them for a larger job.