Hi Nick. I've just retired after 50years in the trade, 42 as a contractor, and what you're experiencing is what used to be called 'buying the job', If a contractor is slack, they will do the job at a loss just to keep them ticking over, also in the hope that they will get some extras which will make up a bit of the loss. Better to walk away from that sort of situation.
I used to drop prices for customers. not any more. Thats a mugs game. If the customer can't afford you & you do the work, they usually try to screw you at the end of the job!! Just not worthh the hassel. I now keep my prices high & get less work, but less stress, but the SAME pay :-)
@@mixit2413 I subbied to NWP on a few of their PBSA’s. Good jobs and made some good money. Wasn’t surprised when I heard what happened to them in the end though after how I saw things were run
Like the content mate. We do 4 full Rewires a week…only supply white PVC. We fit any accessories people supply themselves. I’ve found over the years it’s the path of least resistance
I think the worst is when they undercut you and then throughout the project add bits back on as it wasn't included in the spec and end up charging more.
Variations. You see this with large commercial builders and massive jobs. Want an extra PowerPoint? Well that will cost you $250. Wanna swap a single PowerPoint for a double? Well that’s $150….
@@sniperfi4532 we made about a 2million from variations on one job can't get away with that now the buggers lock you down now often you have to give money back. (commercial builds)
This was many years ago now but a work colleague once had a bunch of work done by someone who *didn't* "notify" (and charged less as a result) as they claimed insider knowledge that part P was being dropped soon and there would be no need. Needless to say its now some 16 years later and Part P while changed is still firmly in place! Equally I've heard many tales of work being done by non qualified electricians with a qualified electrician doing a final test and then "notifying" to get the cert. Its less dodgy than not notifying but still not allowed! Obviously the various requirements for qualifications/competency cost money and makes me wonder with some if they're pulling tricks like this to be able to be so cheap?
It costs what it costs. If the customer wants to pay a certain price that’s under the average costing, then they can go elsewhere. Try going to Tesco and trying to get their £100 shop for £75
It’s always going to be a tough one as it may have been a company that has multiple electricians that are on a hourly wage. So just an example if they are paying their staff £15 p/h and they quote 4 days work it would most likely be cheaper that an self employed person quoting for a 4 day job. The difference would be in the customers personal experience as we all would say you get a better service and better job from someone like yourself doing the work.
Being given someone else's quote is always a warning that you might get put up against a silly quote, generally mucked around and tells you a lot about how you might be treated. I'd always prefer to work with the customer on ways to change the spec/materials to reduce the price. And yes a more local firm or one with better discounts might beat you, which is fair enough. Appreciate that you don't always have the choice, of course!
Sounds like a customer might well come crawling back when it all goes wrong. That quote just doesn't seem possible to include the materials and to be done well, safely, to regulations and with a neat and tidy finish. That customer is definitely going to regret taking someone who is 50% cheaper - buy cheap, buy twice. But that's their prerogative and it might well be a painful lesson for them. Never mind Nick, you do you and the work will keep coming.
You was bang on with the price and them other people are 100% going to rough it in or use Apprentices for the labour as seen that all too much :(. Yes he a lot but thats his selling point and rich people will go to it for that reason. Like people who buy posh water 💧
Just focus on you, don’t be concerned by people quoting above or below you, especially when the details are not clear as it will become frustrating. Just be the best version of yourself… 👍
Jordan has always felt like the Gold Standard service, a very premium price tag and from the face of it, seems to have the talent and resource behind to justify it. Especially with his recent focus on EV/Solar. That's not to say he is not infallible, despite the price tag they make mistakes too *cough* drilling through the structure of the roof. I don't think your average person in a small terraced house semi-detached is going to use him. I also have to bear in mind his market is closer to London with the overheads. I don't want the cheapest, I don't want the most expensive. I want the competent person who isn't going to rush the job for the sake of it and has charged and amount that is worth their time doing the job.
Be one of 2 things...... 1. The person they've gone for is a cowboy and you'll get phoned back to fix their mistakes. (if so tell them its double rates to fix any issues). 2. Its someone who has no ambitions in life and literally drives round in a rusty white van, has minimal out goings and goes to the pub at half 4 every day and walks round with their crack hanging out.
This happens in all trades ... Some companies go in at just above cost, not making a profit just cash flow .. They usually goes bust shortly after ... Don't take it personal it's just how it is .. Please don't turn into artisan vids they are all about other people's bad work ... I've stopped following them same ole same old complaining lol.. Not in the trade but been a DIYer for years and learned a lot from you .. Thank you ..
I qouted a 6K electrical installation. The customer went with a contractor who did everything : electrics, woodwork, plastering and plumbing. After she payed a 12K advance, the contractor went into liquidation. Now she is 12K short and no work has been done at all. NEVER quote less than honest prices. With "cheap customers" you end up paying them.
It happens ,I’ve just retired you are as good as any spark on you tube ,,Jordan runs at the top end , and knows his stuff .. and your right I worked in London ( and I am from liverpool). They would of killed md for pricing that we do in London .. every area has different prices ..like you I have been undercut a few times by 4/6 grand I found a few contractors do use cheap Labour ..polish , Eastern Europeans etc and clever with it as they will have a qualified spark on the job ( most of the time) to make sure it goes well ..Jordan’s set up is for the top end and I learned years ago ( Hampstead ) in London and other areas go for the top end companies ..it’s like Harrods , 1 pound for a plastic bag ? Why ? The name ….Jordan is not only a spark , but a business man too ..and has big ambitions like I had ..but you will be ok because your honest and good at what you do … as they say it is what it is …
Guaranteed they call you back in distress about 10 days into the job!! Or at the end when they have paid up and nothing works and it’s a mess.. either way just tell them the price is the price cause your not fixing someone else’s disaster.. one door shuts and another opens nick
Can you clarify? Was it artisan that gave the 6k quote? Or are you talking about two different things? English isn't my first language so I'm not sure if I missed something?
Maybe Jordan's undercut you and moving into the area, slowly getting rid of his RU-vid competition. I watched Artisan 30k for a rewire video and thought, he's just triggered the haters for maximum views.
Done domestic electrics contracting myself, I'd always tackle the faults where others failed to do the job correctly in the first place or a DIY disaster. Domestics electrics aren't that hard compared to some proper EE control panels I've wired up; Even then I've seen so many rats nest on industrial sites doing maintenance on them without a schematic.
What's my chances getting a shout out for using a cool tool as a virgin to locate a fault? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GUuuKNBBC80.html
Unless the customer is sourcing and paying for the materials themselves and the quote is labour only. Then there is no way they are knocking £6k off that price.
The question is are electricians greedy. I have not had the pleasure of doing a house rewire, big job yes . So 6k to do the same job . What was your cost of parts used. Wire, lamps ect.
as a future customer, i'm scared at all these figures flying around. I get it, overheads, vat, costs, salary bills etc. I'll have to look at maybe chasing out myself, plastering myself, removing old fittings myself, making the job easier and faster I guess. I like the idea of sharing quotes, I'll have to spreadsheet each room and list whats needed so i can compare like for like I guess.
You could buy a multi function tester and do it yourself, and probably do a better job than a lot of working electricians because it's your own job and you won't cut any corners to save time (not saying everyone does that!). It's a bunch of parallel circuits originating from the board. Run cables in appropriate places, protect them against over current and make good connections. Nothing to it, other than the above! Obviously not for everyone, but if you understand it, it's not rocket science.
The more you charge an hour the more quotes you need to complete and because you are getting paid more per contract you will not need to work so many hours so you have more free time to quote knowing you will get a lower percentage of accepted quotes. As long as you have enough enquiries coming in everything should work out for you.
Prices are killing customers and trades. As I said in my last responce painters get the worse deal out of all the trades in my opinion. With the cost of living I can see this getting worse. You'll find out it was NOT the same spec it will be cheeper crap. Its a killer but nowt you can do.
I believe the tradesman that has won the job will most likely cut corners to save time and money and I’m sure the customer may actually be lying as like for like it’s impossible just the products need for the job cost a lot so that to me sounds like a lie but that’s my opinion on the situation what you think ?
I would assume the customer felt bad for not going with you so reverted to the "much cheaper" option and fabricated the 6k figure. Money is tight for everyone these days and a saving of even 1k is significant on a rewire.
That’s mental someone undercutting you by that much, the gear on it’s own is not far of what they are pricing. It’s going to go one of two ways, it’s either a big company that already has most of the gear sat on a shelf and is willing to take a hit to keep the guys working or a total cowboy that is going to screw the customer with a gash job using crap gear. Ps made me smile seeing my comment from the first video on screen 👍
Double your price but half your customers you still make the same money but you also work half as hard Yeah I know its not quite that simple but don't worry about losing customers as long your making the money you want to.
I know I knock some of the stuff you do but I wouldn’t bother doing what you’ve done because people just waste your time regardless. Let them crack on, they’ll come unstuck and it’ll be a shit show. There fault at the end of the day. FT
Buy cheap, buy twice. Doing at 6K you will be back to sort it out when its not working because the other sparks wont answer the phone when theres a problem.
just quoted a job, 2 visits after re_spec and re price, guys come in £500 under me on a £4000 job, client offered me first refusal to beat it, was happy to let the job go, no malice towards the customer, just not willing to race to the bottom just to work for a few days. brush it off and carry on Nick. there's always the next phone call that leads to a more prosperous job anyway.
100% that - we quote our prices (not electricians) as the price we’re prepared to do something for. If I start cutting money I was either fleecing the customer in the first place, or I’m cutting out my profit - or in other words, I’m screwing myself over as I’m not doing the job for any gain if I do that. So we just quote the price we’re happy with to do a good job and give good service. That’s really all there is to it.
If they offer to throw the other spark under the bus, what's to say they won't do the same to you? It reminds me of when I bought a car for my girlfriend last year. Saw a car on AutoTrader, rang up, they had someone already coming to view it at 1pm that day but if we put down a deposit over the phone they'd let us have it instead, shafting the one who's already booked to see it.
I am guessing that most self employed trades me included are charging nothing like the proper rate. If you work out the proper cost allowing for pension, holidays, running cost of a vehicle, insurance,all the tools we need etc. I think most of the times in reality the customers are getting way more than they are paying for especially if you are professional and good at your job. If a customer says to me can I drop the price I fire straight back with if your boss said in order for us to keep your job this week we’ve dropped your wage by a few hundred quid you would tell them to piss off. Find another muppet to do the job I’m not interested. A decent tradesman comes at a price end of.
@@tracer1127 This is the best comment here. I don't think there are many self employed tradesmen who should be on less than around £400 a day at this point.
It’s frustrating, as a spark it’s like winning the lottery when the customer says yes but crushing when they’ve gone elsewhere. I’m 58 and now have the same customers I’ve had for 30 years, they keep me busy all week. Honestly, reliability and quality will win over every time soon. Live long and prosper
London price will be £5.000 materials £8,700 labour plus VAT. Materials from a walk in electrical supplier. Labour includes Certificate of Compliance, Electrical Certificate and Testing Results and the work is done by electricians. This is how he/she got the job: If you buy from the online electrical shop the price for materials will be £3500, 14 way split board, no EV Ultra cable Labour and certification £3500, £1500 for labour electricians, Connections for equipment is done nowadays by push connections and colour coded. Labour electricians are used across UK in residential and commercial buildings, so do not be surprised. £2,000 for electrician/company. Electrician job will be supervise labour electricians job, consumer unit, bonding connections, testing, certification. Company is not VAT registered
Well said young man, remember Jordan is a slick salesman, so he understands the need for top quality presentations. Naturally Artisan’s work will usually be good,.I looked a a DIY rewire recently where the man told me he got his inspiration from watching Artisans videos. The installation was much better than many done by professional electrician’s . Of course the job won’t be signed off or building control notified. But we are not yet living in a police state, so does it really matter ? A niceic registered spark tested the installation for him and everything was found to be correct. Thanks to all the RU-vid sparks, the DIY folk are doing much better and safer work. As for the big price difference between the South & North, we all have to pay the same price to keep our homes warm, food on the table & fuel in our vehicles, so I’m not convinced by the big differences in rates , most of the folk I worked for would never be able to afford the likes of Artisan. It’s difficult to understand how the job you quoted for was given to someone so much lower than you, perhaps he will utilise labour who are “ on the dole” ? obviously Artisan’s “ Reassuringly expensive” never worked for you. It
The problem with Jordan's quote is that it was clearly priced according to what he thought the customer could afford, not what the job would cost. that's why he got so much stick for it. He saw a big house that would sell today for £1.5million or whatever, so assumed the person living there wouldn't think anything of £30k. Reality, they probably bought the house for 50p in the 1960s, were not wealthy, & called out the 'pricing according to the car on the drive'. I'd do exactly the same.
I quoted for a bathroom, good spec, all tiled floor and walls lots of little niches in the tiling like little pockets for soaps etc, all new pipework etc etc I came to around £5k (customer supplying suite and tiles) I did the same, waiting for the tradify notification, a couple days go by, I follow up on the quote, they went with someone that quoted £650 for the labour and pipe, fittings etc, I was then called a rip-off merchant, plastered all over social media etc. Anyway a few weeks go by, I get a phone call from the same customer, could tell they felt awkward as hell, anyway, this guy they got in was there for 3 weeks, all the pipework was on show, not level, no clips, the grout was all over the place, tiles were cracked and suite damaged. They said it was 'finished' but wouldn't connect the water supply to the bathroom til they paid the 'additional cost' of about 4k so customer called me and asked if I could 'just pop over' and connect the water supply for them cause they weren't going to pay the other guy. As much as I wanted to help them as they were distraught, there is no way I was putting my name to that mess and said no chance. Why people accept quotes 4.5k cheaper and expect the same result baffles me 🤣
I think Jordan is quite fair with his price as are you. I was an electrical apprentice many many years ago so have a rough idea. I now work for a german main dealer group in the automotive industry, yeah we are expensive however you have the warranty, the guarantee, the quality, the expertise the training courses the manufacturer approval and the customer always has a recourse. Jordans video the other day showed he went back to a customer who had gone with another quote for a rewire and the electrician had disappeared and customer couldnt get hold of him and were getting artisan in to fix it... pay cheap pay twice! The older you get the more you realise this, if its expensive save up and still go with someone who stands by there work.
My Stepson is 4 years own electrical business in Nottingham and let's say 14 years in the trade and as a parent I have to absorb the 'pain' of this, like parents do. He wants to move away from domestic and just stick to commercial and industrial because domestic just don't want to pay. It's just wire and a plug socket to them. He has a base quote of one ceiling rose and 2-3 sockets per room for a rewire and anything else is an add on. The trouble is 80% of the people in this country haven't got a clue about anything except the price of something. And we have got the bloody internet now so they could get a ballpark figure for the bits at least. I feel for him and I feel for you Nick.👍
Its a pity you have been so drastically undercut but to be honest I wonder what the customer is going to get for such a low price. I last employed our local electrician 18 months ago. This was a kitchen rewire and rcbo cu upgrade. He was at our house for two days, and the total bill was about 2 grand, he's not vat registered. I thought that was quite fair, for a quality tradesman. 7 sockets, 4 isolators, 6 downright, all paperwork.
@@ChrisLee-yr7tz I'm sorry you feel that way. I was happy with my choice, the quality of the work, the person and the certification. At the end of the day it's got to be fair to both sides. He was comparable with the plumber and the plasterer btw, so come to cheshire and get paid fairly with added tea and biscuits
@@ChrisLee-yr7tz It's totally fair. A gas engineer will charge you 2500 to put a boiler in. Why shouldn't we charge 4 figures to change a consumer unit?
@electricalstuff259 Not 2.5k labour for a combi swap. I've just paid £500 for a combi swap in the SE because I get everything at day rate, but would expect to pay around £700 in Nottingham ordinarily. A national boiler Co would normally charge around £1200 Labour for a combi swap. Of course, anyone can charge whatever they like and whatever the market will stand. I get that. But it really isn't worth it. Same for 4 figures to change a consumer unit. It just doesn't warrant it. At all. The thing that really baffles me is why aren't more people entering the market. Trades are on good money. £000s on labour for a rewire is ridiculous. The technical challenge really isn't hard enough. But like I said...it's whatever the market will stand and I understand it.
Solid video again big lad, really eye opening these sit down chats are! Really personal and a great addition! Don’t worry about the price or having to go back focus on being honest and true to yourself and you will get enough work!❤
I have the same thing happen at our work place, a colleague keeps saying we are charging too much and losing jobs. When I was speaking with my dad over a coffee who has been in the building trade 30 years self-employed (i am in the marine side). He told me to think of your worth how much you value yourself and knowledge. You could charge less be busy all the time but still only taking home the same each year. You would just be a busy fool running yourself into the ground. He also said to never drop your rates. it's not worth it. Hopefully everything will be fine for the customer but I expect a phone call in the future about one thing or another.
This is the flip side to doing stuff on RU-vid etc. You could find that some other outfits could easily undercut, slate you and rubbish your work. This is where you have to have balls and not be bothered about what other people think of your prices etc because your price is your price end of. I’m a kitchen fitter, have been self employed for almost 30years and I don’t give a damn what someone else prices a job at because I know I have pride in my work, go over and above what I have quoted to do and it is of great importance to me that the customer is happy with the job. I don’t have any interest in Joe Blogs doing it cheaper because he ain’t me, having pride and the know how of how to turn out a decent job comes at a cost and that cost is yours.
When I had an extension quoted. The guys who low balled were working for big house builders and they were doing it on days off. Let's just say it was clear they weren't paying much for materials !
Lad am on the gas so not a spark but .. doesn’t matter if you live on the moon no one should be paying £30,000 for a bit of cable and light fittings , your materials are peanuts compared to boilers and UFH , copper , press fitting etc .
You are definitely not too expensive, Know your worth. I'm a fellow sparkie and that price that the company came in with is a joke. If anyone competes with these companies then it is a race to the bottom for these people concerned. How they still managed to win the job considering you got the material's for free is mind-blowing. Some people want to train and gain experience for years and still work for peanuts. Keep up the good work and always great content 👍🏾
Not slagging, but 30k, 12k for a rewire?! Come on!! Materials are the same cost in the uk (or within 5/10%) standard 3 bed re-wire should cost no more than 6k
Easy just dont be so greedy you wouldnt work in my area at them prices .its a wake up call if youre not busy you know why if you are busy stop whinging thats life get on with it
I would expect that they went with someone that isn't rewiring the house - they're tagging onto the existing wiring and just upgrading the board. There's no other way to do it and be that cheap but sadly that's how people get stung by "extras" or end up with an unfinished job because the company went in too low and bankrupted themselves. Seen it happen before and I'll see it again.
It's happening on a daily basis even though it's an accessory replacement or a full rewire. Keep doing what you're doing it's great and you're putting good information out there for a good, well informed community.
I've just paid 5k plus 2.5k for a full rewire in Birmingham. The job was spot on and I sources all the materials for 2.5k. There is too much profiteering in this game.
Artisan have a niche. One that is being diminished week by week. As many train and diversity. I personally love commercial. I do domestic minor works because I cannot stand the scam like CPS schemes. But my money is in reactive callouts to commercial kitchens. Working 8 hours on a site on my day rate is just a standby for the next callout.
Was just about to say... it definitely wasn't a 2 bed flat. I know because I've worked in that house about 4 years ago when I worked for another local Cambridge company (clearly the customer likes to shop around). But you corrected 👍
Can you do a follow up video and see if the customer will let you inspect it after would be an amazing opportunity for a video I’d be really interested.
I feel your pain but when you miss that badly its not you its them. I doubt they saw your quote if they undercut you that much. either they are hacking the job, honestly missed something, or will take the money and run. Thx for the content and hello from the usa
Interesting video dude. What you failed to mention is that it would have cost Artisan 20K just to get the VW Electric van on site...... 🤣You are a very honest guy with excellent values and exceptional standards. As long as you are busy doing what you enjoy then crack on mate. Keep 'chasing' those dreams Bundy....
Hello Nick. It is tough out there especially with the cost of living crisis, peoples disposable income under pressure even for small jobs. There will always be someone who will do a job cheaper, so there is little point in attempting to compete on price. Use all your strongest points - local tradesman, excellent workmanship, great warranty - perhaps consider increasing the guarantee length, quick customer service, reputation.... everything in your arsenal and use it even sell/brag about it if you have to ! Certainly in the south there are customers who are prepared to pay proper rates for a job that will give them peace of mind and little stress. Try to engage with local businesses that will have continual work, that way you develop relationships and they will prefer calling you as they are used to having you around and trust you. In my opinion your suppliers shouldn't be subsidising supplies for the customer benefit. This is extra money you personally should benefit from, unless that is the You Tube thing compensates you in some way ? Finally, and I know this is difficult, keep your long term business and personal overheads as tight/low as possible until you have a decent buffer in the bank. This takes the pressure off you personally, frees the mind, less stress/pressure to secure a job. I wish you well.
Be interesting to reprice the job with only the essential materials and cheap sockets and lights. Then you can see what they are charging for labour etc. I'm sure you will be back to do an Eicr on a duel RCD BG board and to replace a shed load of halogen gu10's 😅.
The only way I can see that person coming in so cheap, is if he works for a big company and is stealing materials and doing it as a pj with him and his mate.
You'll be back to fix guaranteed. My firm lost a refurb quoted at 12k. 18 months later, sparks kicked off the job, we're needed for the certificate. 23k and 3 months later, they got their certificate...
Im confused ....you should Title the video as a shock of cheap quotes rather than asking if someone is too expensive, that won't do Artisan any favours and you supposedly like them !
The standard of work you are putting out id put your prices up by 15/20%. Potential customers that are currently going with you will pay the additional amount because they appreciate quality and the ones your not getting now you still won’t be getting
Regarding about copying the spec...a customer doesn't want to compare apples with pears. A customer wants something done they seriously need the detail because they need to know how many days are charged for the work, the quality of materials and if they are overcharging for them. If they don't have the exact spec from an electrician you can't shop around. Many tradesmen don't give a fully detailed quote which makes it difficult for the customer to decide what they are paying for. You know why it's done but we all know that it is the customer who is going to pay.
I’d have sacked it off after the first ‘no’. In my humble, it’s not your responsibility to ‘call in favours’. Otherwise, your subsequent prices will be lower. The boys doing it will be labourers and signed off by a Sparks at the end. Do I think Artisan are expensive? Yes…. but they get the work, not all of it but enough. One of those things mate. 💪
Price, Speed, Quality, you can only ever have 2. If someone is THAT much cheaper then either it will take 3 times as long or the quality will be 3 times worse
when i started college in 2004, one of the way jobs got done cheap was a few of the lads doing alot of the donkey 1st fix was either at college like me or was just a mate who did some cable laying for £50 cash in hand a day. was able to get alot of 1st fix rewires boxed up quickyl and cheaply.
Well a fully qualified electrician has better things to do than the donkey work, that's why you employ "improvers" or an electrician's mate to do the knuckle-dragger work whilst you do the maths.
I guess I’m fairly lucky in I very rarely do quotes , customers trust me and the builders I work for know the ballpark I charge,so I just do the work and submit my invoices,job done.
Customers that accept a price like that devalues our worth as sparks. And how another spark can price that spec for £6K! Race to the bottom. Best off loosing that job Nick.
The reality is that they’ll get a shonky job full of faults and they’ll be too embarassed to let you in to record all the fck ups. People who undercut that dramatically clearly have no clue about running a business. They must be barely scraping a living despite what people say about tradies being expensive. The first thing I learnt in sales training is work out your labour rate and stick to it. I definitely wouldn’t be handing out free materials to customers either. Thats money out of your pocket at the end of the day. You’re not running a charity.
Everyone ones that job that’s makes them 1000s. To me 12k seems expensive but cost of fittings will make a massive impact you can fit a £2 light switch or a £60 light switch. Let’s say 6 days first fix at £250 a day £1500 plus 2 days for second and test £2000 labour. 500 quid cable, 300 consumer unit plus bits. Lights £2000 sockets 50x £400 other bits £300 quid add another £500 on top to give margin that’s £6000, you did mention outside and quality enclosures don’t come cheap so maybe adding another day and £750 materials. I think lots of people have delusions of grandeur which leads to lots of overheads
We shouldn’t be accepting large geographical price differences, there’s no reason that a job in Cambridge should be significantly different to a job in Stafford.
Agreed. I'm not a tradesman but I've always found it distasteful and predatory that some tradesman will up their prices if they think the customer has a few quid. It gives tradesmen a bad name. My mother lives in a nice house in a nice area and it happens to her all the time. The tradesmen that give her quotes often end up wasting their time because she won't be taken the piss out of and rejects them.
