ᐅ Electrical installation too expensive – oversized or just overpriced?
Created on: 5 Oct 2015 14:57
D
derelvis
Hello everyone,
We received the quotation for the electrical installation, and I had to sit down first.
So far, everything has roughly matched the values found online (excavation, surveying, structural engineering, architect fees, etc.), but the electrical installation is about twice as expensive as what is generally indicated on the internet: €23,000, while we had planned for €10,000–12,000.
On closer inspection, we noticed that the quotation seems oversized and appears to cover all possible contingencies. The final billing is based on actual usage, so I would like to get your opinion on how over-dimensioned it really is. The prices include installation.
A few items can be deducted or reduced considerably. (For example, I do not need 17 temperature controllers with displays at €100 each), which would save about €1,000 right away. Also, a network cabinet with a patch panel listed at €400 can be found for about half that price. Having 110 sockets plus 10 Schuko sockets also seems excessive to me.
There are also elements included that I have not seen elsewhere: all installations (kitchen, heating, garage), roller shutter control and connection, ventilation installation, mailbox with intercom system. Still, I cannot get the total below €15,000, let alone €10,000.
Here are my top 10 items – is this very oversized? Or am I unlikely to save much? Especially the cable lengths are about double what I see online.
Room temperature controller €104.12, 17 pcs, €1,770.04
Sheathed cable 5*1.5 mm², €1.83 per meter, 700 m, €1,281.00
Socket outlet Jung AS520, €9.25, 110 pcs, €1,017.50
Meter cabinet €856.34, 1 pc, €856.34
Sheathed cable 3*1.5 mm², €1.41 per meter, 600 m, €846.00
Mailbox system with intercom €568.49, 1 pc, €568.49
Electronic transformer €29.43, 14 pcs, €412.02
Silicone protective cap €26.10, 14 pcs, €365.40
FR bathroom light €58.38, 6 pcs, €350.28
Residual current circuit breaker €68.26, 5 pcs, €341.30
Roller shutter: programming €338.71, 1 pc, €338.71
We received the quotation for the electrical installation, and I had to sit down first.
So far, everything has roughly matched the values found online (excavation, surveying, structural engineering, architect fees, etc.), but the electrical installation is about twice as expensive as what is generally indicated on the internet: €23,000, while we had planned for €10,000–12,000.
On closer inspection, we noticed that the quotation seems oversized and appears to cover all possible contingencies. The final billing is based on actual usage, so I would like to get your opinion on how over-dimensioned it really is. The prices include installation.
A few items can be deducted or reduced considerably. (For example, I do not need 17 temperature controllers with displays at €100 each), which would save about €1,000 right away. Also, a network cabinet with a patch panel listed at €400 can be found for about half that price. Having 110 sockets plus 10 Schuko sockets also seems excessive to me.
There are also elements included that I have not seen elsewhere: all installations (kitchen, heating, garage), roller shutter control and connection, ventilation installation, mailbox with intercom system. Still, I cannot get the total below €15,000, let alone €10,000.
Here are my top 10 items – is this very oversized? Or am I unlikely to save much? Especially the cable lengths are about double what I see online.
Room temperature controller €104.12, 17 pcs, €1,770.04
Sheathed cable 5*1.5 mm², €1.83 per meter, 700 m, €1,281.00
Socket outlet Jung AS520, €9.25, 110 pcs, €1,017.50
Meter cabinet €856.34, 1 pc, €856.34
Sheathed cable 3*1.5 mm², €1.41 per meter, 600 m, €846.00
Mailbox system with intercom €568.49, 1 pc, €568.49
Electronic transformer €29.43, 14 pcs, €412.02
Silicone protective cap €26.10, 14 pcs, €365.40
FR bathroom light €58.38, 6 pcs, €350.28
Residual current circuit breaker €68.26, 5 pcs, €341.30
Roller shutter: programming €338.71, 1 pc, €338.71
Yes, this is one of the common issues. Usually, it goes like this:
- They install 16A circuit breakers in the distribution board
- Run 3x1.5mm² or 5x1.5mm² cables to all the sockets throughout the house (regardless of the distance or the type of installation)
- Measurements are taken, and everything appears to be fine
But when a lot of devices are eventually connected to that circuit, the user runs into problems... though they are unaware of this since they always rely on the 3600W rating.
Without accounting for losses and other factors, the maximum length with 1.5mm² cable at 16A is around 18m (59 feet)… and this limit is reached sooner than expected, especially if the distribution board is in the basement.
That’s why it’s better to install a few extra sockets and circuits from the start, allowing some headroom for future needs...
- They install 16A circuit breakers in the distribution board
- Run 3x1.5mm² or 5x1.5mm² cables to all the sockets throughout the house (regardless of the distance or the type of installation)
- Measurements are taken, and everything appears to be fine
But when a lot of devices are eventually connected to that circuit, the user runs into problems... though they are unaware of this since they always rely on the 3600W rating.
Without accounting for losses and other factors, the maximum length with 1.5mm² cable at 16A is around 18m (59 feet)… and this limit is reached sooner than expected, especially if the distribution board is in the basement.
That’s why it’s better to install a few extra sockets and circuits from the start, allowing some headroom for future needs...
P
Peanuts7425 Jan 2016 10:5418 meters (59 feet) is nothing at all, he’s right, especially if, like us, you have the ventilation under the roof and the distribution opposite in the basement...
S
Sebastian7925 Jan 2016 10:54We have two distribution boards and, in principle, no socket outlet circuits connected in series, except for a few exceptions. I haven’t used any 2.5 mm² (approximately 13 AWG) wiring anywhere because it simply wasn’t necessary.
Therefore: It always depends on the situation; generalizations are incorrect.
Therefore: It always depends on the situation; generalizations are incorrect.
P
Peanuts7425 Jan 2016 10:55Uwe82 schrieb:
We also mostly use 1.5 mm² (1.65 sq. ft.) wiring. But since we run several cables per room to the distribution box, only the dining room and kitchen have 2.5 mm² (2.7 sq. ft.). However, I can’t think of any case for 16A in the bedrooms...Vacuum cleaner plus a few other appliances, such as waterbed heating, etc.
P
Peanuts7425 Jan 2016 11:06no 2000 watt sound system
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