OT: Price for Installing Electrical Outlets in Basement

[ykh]

I would like to know what's the average going price for installing electrical outlets in the basement. I got quotation from a licensed,insured and bonded electrician for $600 doing the following:

1) Install 4 electrical outlets (2GFIs with 4 slots and 2 non GFIs with 2 slots) on 4 walls and install a circuit breaker. They are going to run the conduits by drilling holes accross the studs. When I bought the place, the basement walls have been studed and insulated but never been finished.

2) 2 guys will come out for one day to complete the work.

Is this a reasonable price?

 

[AuroraDave]

Yesterday I bought the supplies to wire a few new outlets in my basement and I was surprised how expensive the parts were, especially wire.

I bought 4 square boxes & covers, connectors, (3) ten foot 1/2" conduit, 50' wire and a conduit bender for $150. I also got 4 new breakers.

I already have the 8 GFCI's (which were on sale 3 for $29).

If you have 2 union guys coming out the labor is probably a big part of the cost. 16 hours @ $25-$30??. See if you can find someone to do a side job. About 5 yrs ago I found an electrician from work to do a side job. He charged me $70 for one outlet.

 

[ykh]

Dave,

Good to hear from you! How's your new fishroom coming along? They are non union guys. Hmm....so the price I was quoted is expensive?

 

[flapjack1439]

Any experienced tradesman will get $25 - $30 an hour for side work, more for a regular job. The key word is experienced.

2 men for eight hours @ $25 is $400, plus material. Sounds like a pretty good price.

You can always do it yourself.

 

[ostrow]

That is a reasonable price. BTW anyone who can find a union electrician who charges just $25-$30 for an hour ... that's a STEAL. $50 is more like it.

Unless you know the guy. I had a licensed electrician who is a friend install 2 circuits, run conduit and install 4x4 GFCI boxes for $450.

 

[ykh]

Thanks for your feedback, guys. I'm not a DIY guy as I don't even have the tools myself

 

[RobTop]

Personally I would say too much. However that is because I'd do this work my self. I re-wired my parents basment with my dad when I was 12, it's the easiest work there is IMO. I did the basements at my past two houses. Current fishroom has 4 circuits, plus 2 for the rest of the basement and I'm not even sure how many outlets...a ton. I'm not licensed, bonded or insured, but could help you do it...I have the tools

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Always pay per hour not per outlet. they will likely be charging you about 50.00 a hour. There is no way it will take 2 skilled electicians 8 hours to do that job. 4 hours maybe.

 

[Hammercoral]

Seems a bit high to me, not sure how long the conduit runs are though. I ran 3 20A GFCI circuits to my tank for under $100 myself.

 

[AuroraDave]

Hey Kean, everything is coming together finally. thanks.

For the described job and hours, I dont think it is expensive. As I outlined, the materials add up. Conduit is $2 for each 10'. square box $5.30 & cover $2. 15A or 20A breaker $3.50. Then there's the various box & conduit connectors @ $1+ ea...it adds up. Unless you buy a 500' coil, the wire is 20-30 cents per foot (12&14 gauge).

I'm just surprised that they think it will take 16hrs, but I dont know the job and why they are drilling holes to go thru the studs. Since the basement is unfinished, can't they go up the ceiling and over? That's what I did.

Good luck

 

[rxinc]

I just did the same exact job about 2 weeks ago for my basement fish room, my cousin had the tools and knowledge, I never did anything like that before.

It took us about 6 hrs to do start to finish and < 100 dollors in materials.

It was truly very easy once you see it done.

If you are in a hurry, then the price isn't crazy, but if you have some time I would look around or take up Rob Top or another fellow reefer on helping you out.

 

[BlackHawk77]

if they are working with exposed studs there is no way that job would even take them 4 hours.

 

[jwblocal701]

im not a electrician but i finished my whole basment myself elecrical and all my whole basment is X10 light and everythingthrough my remote congtrol
a couple outlets isnt hard to do

 

[ykh]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Looks like I will take RobTop's generous offer, I would like to be his apprentice to learn and help