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Old 10-22-2013, 10:19 AM
 
Location: 42°22'55.2"N 71°24'46.8"W
4,848 posts, read 11,769,301 times
Reputation: 2962

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I just got an estimate from an electrician to install 3 new outlets for $1650. I was floored by how expensive it was! The 3 outlets are in the same room as the electrical panel and the walls are open studs for easy access. I honestly thought this might be 2 hours of work at $100/hour. Can anyone tell me why it's so expensive? Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced electrician? Thanks.
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:16 PM
 
Location: Needham, MA
8,530 posts, read 13,940,154 times
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That guy is trying to rip you off. I had an electrician do the exact same thing I my house last year - install three outlets in my unfinished basement. I thought he was a friend so I didn't ask for an estimate. I guess we're not such great friends because afterwards he handed me a bill for $650.

I'll message you the name of an electrician I've found since who's reliable and won't rip you off.

Last edited by MikePRU; 10-22-2013 at 03:41 PM..
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:44 PM
 
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Old 10-22-2013, 05:19 PM
 
419 posts, read 1,234,129 times
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If you have open studs, why don't you just do it yourself? Possibly, you are running a 100 amp service and by installing 3 new outlets you have run out of space and need to upgrade your panel/service? It is legal to do your own electrical providing you do not have to cut power going into the panel itself. They won't let you flood your basement or start a fire from using a torch, but you are free to electrocute yourself and/or burn your home down by causing an electrical fire. If you are at all handy, installing receptacles is very easy to do.
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Old 10-22-2013, 05:55 PM
 
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Master Electrician | Bryant Electric LLC | Keith Bryant

Not sure how much he would charge, should be reputable contractor.

Licensed Electrician Waltham, MA | P W DiMasi Electric |Metro West

Seems well liked. Lots of good reviews on Yelp.

Hope it helps.
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Old 10-22-2013, 07:19 PM
 
Location: Needham, MA
8,530 posts, read 13,940,154 times
Reputation: 7913
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelz View Post
If you have open studs, why don't you just do it yourself? Possibly, you are running a 100 amp service and by installing 3 new outlets you have run out of space and need to upgrade your panel/service? It is legal to do your own electrical providing you do not have to cut power going into the panel itself. They won't let you flood your basement or start a fire from using a torch, but you are free to electrocute yourself and/or burn your home down by causing an electrical fire. If you are at all handy, installing receptacles is very easy to do.
I know when I had the same done in my basement it was not a task I felt comfortable doing. They added a circuit in the box for the new outlets which was something I didn't want to do and they had to secure the conduit the wire ran through to the foundation which required one of those nail guns that uses gun powder. Definitely not a tool I have at home.
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Old 10-22-2013, 07:37 PM
 
419 posts, read 1,234,129 times
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I hear you, Mike. I can't live with myself if I hire someone to do something that I know I can do or figure out myself. I usually go with the "if he can do it, I can do it attitude." Shooting into a foundation with a power hammer is easier than cutting the crusts off of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All you do is load a 22 shell into it, put a fastener in and give it a quick strike with a hammer. Typically you have to pound it in the rest of the way with a hammer. To add a circuit to a panel is also incredibly easy, you are able to shut the panel itself off before plugging one in, but it really isn't even necessary. There are so may videos on youtube and do it yourself sites out there these days which will show you step by step on how to do the task at hand. If it comes down to spending 650 bucks so I can plug something in, I'm going for it on my own. I can respect your apprehension though. The guys doing work on your home aren't rocket scientists, yes, they have talent at what they do, but for the prices they charge you would think they were paying off their Harvard tuition at the same time, meanwhile they pull in your driveway with a fancy truck when a used pickup would be just as sufficient.. Being in business is very expensive, but that doesn't give anyone the right to take advantage of the disadvantaged.
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Old 10-22-2013, 07:48 PM
 
Location: 42°22'55.2"N 71°24'46.8"W
4,848 posts, read 11,769,301 times
Reputation: 2962
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelz View Post
Being in business is very expensive, but that doesn't give anyone the right to take advantage of the disadvantaged.
Are you calling me disadvantaged?

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.
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Old 10-22-2013, 08:37 PM
 
Location: Needham, MA
8,530 posts, read 13,940,154 times
Reputation: 7913
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelz View Post
I hear you, Mike. I can't live with myself if I hire someone to do something that I know I can do or figure out myself. I usually go with the "if he can do it, I can do it attitude." Shooting into a foundation with a power hammer is easier than cutting the crusts off of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All you do is load a 22 shell into it, put a fastener in and give it a quick strike with a hammer. Typically you have to pound it in the rest of the way with a hammer. To add a circuit to a panel is also incredibly easy, you are able to shut the panel itself off before plugging one in, but it really isn't even necessary. There are so may videos on youtube and do it yourself sites out there these days which will show you step by step on how to do the task at hand. If it comes down to spending 650 bucks so I can plug something in, I'm going for it on my own. I can respect your apprehension though. The guys doing work on your home aren't rocket scientists, yes, they have talent at what they do, but for the prices they charge you would think they were paying off their Harvard tuition at the same time, meanwhile they pull in your driveway with a fancy truck when a used pickup would be just as sufficient.. Being in business is very expensive, but that doesn't give anyone the right to take advantage of the disadvantaged.
I'm a bit of a DIY'er and I've completed a number of successful projects around my house. Electricity and plumbing scare the heck out of me though and I tend to limit my projects to things that don't involve either. I don't want to be responsible for burning down or flooding my house.
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Old 10-22-2013, 08:49 PM
 
419 posts, read 1,234,129 times
Reputation: 741
You should always experiment on your friend's houses first. LOL!
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