How would you handle this ?

[sorrento]

We're having a new kitchen fitted and a guy who's kids go to school with ours is doing the electrics.
He's done work before with us so we know he's good however he didn't quote for this work.
So after a day and a half, 5 sockets fitted, one of which he did have to run back to the mains board so lifted floor boards etc, he's asking for £800.
This seems like an extrodinary amount of money, I'll be corrected if I'm wrong but that's £50 an hour in total, in the NOrth West not London.
Would you ask for a break down or handle it differently ?
He's had a cheque for £500 as that was all I had and of course I don't want to fall out with anyone but I feel like i'm being taken to the cleaners.

Have just spoken to the people fitting the kitchen who you would expect to charge a premium and they are also significantly cheaper and a solicitor who suggested let him finish the job and then show him the quotes from other people and suggest he sues.
I hate confrontation and am not keen on being sued, would you just pay up and not use him again ?

NO - don't pay up. He is not in a position to sue as he didn't provide you with a written quote. This so called neighbour/friend is seriously taking the p1ss. Either way you are not going to have him doing anymore work for you so let him finish and then haggle over the difference.

seriously as much as I understand he has (and he has no doubt my Dh is and electrician ) ripped you off the thing that bothers me is the school connection . You will have to see him or his wife for the next few years . You might and I reckon you will easily find a sparky to finish job . best of luck .

did he supply materials? I would ask for the paperwork for the materials he bought and then work out what he's charging per hour after deducting material cost and say to him... "goodness... I think maybe you've made a mistake... surely electricians dont charge x pounds per hour?"

I agree about the school thing I am increasingly avoiding school anyway as another Mum owes me a £160 she borrowed in November (I sound like a right smuck don't I).
I've always tried to give my business to people I know thinking that you'd be LESS likely to be ripped off but honestly I've had nothing but trouble.

haven't read whole thread but I was recently quoted about £700 to £800 for fitting a whole kitchen (small, didn't include electrics I think but did include all plumbing, removing units, installing new units, tiling). The guy reckoned it would be about a week's work (I take that to mean 5 days).

Sorrento - bear in mind that this electrician is working for you and not the other way around. You have valid serious doubts and therefore (your DH) needs to have a "cards on the table" chat with him. Because of your current situation with DH being in between jobs any reasonable person would understand why you are asking for a full breakdown / explanation for such a significant cost.

Why are you avoiding the school when it is you that is owed money?

I know it's pathetic isn't it, but I feel embarrassed everytime I see the woman that I haven't asked for it.
I'd quite like to text her but I know that's not the right thing to do but I do need it back and of course there's no way I can prove a thing if she refuses.

I will get DH to have a word, nobody else thinks £800 is reasonable at all.

feck, thats a quater of what my kitchen cost

My DH is a Chartered QS and works with electricians and builders every day. He says £250/£300 max, any more and he thinks your being taken for a ride. I would ask for a break down of the bill in writing.

£300 max according to my DH

Thank you to you both.

Hi my DH is a self-employed electrician (South East) and says he thinks about £480 sounds about right. Although very hard to judge without seeing it.

He says things that could have put the price up:

earth bonding to gas and water
RCD protection

Before new kitchen circuits are in place, bonding to gas meter and water stopcock should be in place. This is in line with new regulations (17th edition BS671 electrical regs).

These people who are saying £250-£300 can't be accounting for this.

Apparently!

DH strongly recommends you ask for an exact breakdown of what you have been charged, because there could be genuine hidden costs - i.e. equipment/ materials that were actually necessary.

OMG Why oh why did'nt you get a price up front?

Queen of bee's I know, but as I said he's a father at the school, one rather expects that we're on mates rates not rip them off rates

I agree little peanut, I don't think £300 is enough, the bonding was already in place though, the MCB board is brand new so everything up to date.
I had forgotten about the wiring for the extractor fan, he put that in place too but even so.

Sorrento - you shouldn't just pay him.

What I think you should do is tell him you were so shocked at his price as it was so much more than you were expecting to pay, that you got a couple of quotes just to see if you were being reasonable in your assumption of the cost. Show him the quotes, ask him to itemise his costs and to have a think about what he has charged you for labour as you think he might have made a mistake when calculating your bill. All with a smile

As for the woman at school, why don't you tell her that you've just had to have some very expensive electrical work done and really need your money back now...