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
P
Peanuts7421 Jan 2016 06:42Why shouldn’t they have light switches?
Regarding power outlets, everyone can do as they please, but I find it unattractive to have blocks of three, four, or even more sockets everywhere, as well as having individual outlets spaced every 1-2 meters (3-6 feet). Even without multiple extension cords, you’ll still need to rearrange things sometimes. It’s hard to prepare for every possible situation. As mentioned, it’s not really a cost issue—an outlet costs about 3-4 €—but for me, it’s simply a matter of aesthetics...
@BeHaElJa
In my childhood bedroom, I had everything connected to just one outlet (waterbed, TV, DVD player, PC, monitor, printer...), and it worked fine.
What I would recommend to everyone, especially if they don’t install motorized blinds everywhere for budget reasons, is at least to provide the cabling for them or alternatively install an outlet by every window so that adding them later is easy.
Regarding power outlets, everyone can do as they please, but I find it unattractive to have blocks of three, four, or even more sockets everywhere, as well as having individual outlets spaced every 1-2 meters (3-6 feet). Even without multiple extension cords, you’ll still need to rearrange things sometimes. It’s hard to prepare for every possible situation. As mentioned, it’s not really a cost issue—an outlet costs about 3-4 €—but for me, it’s simply a matter of aesthetics...
@BeHaElJa
In my childhood bedroom, I had everything connected to just one outlet (waterbed, TV, DVD player, PC, monitor, printer...), and it worked fine.
What I would recommend to everyone, especially if they don’t install motorized blinds everywhere for budget reasons, is at least to provide the cabling for them or alternatively install an outlet by every window so that adding them later is easy.
Peanuts74 schrieb:
Why shouldn’t they have light switches?
Regarding power outlets, everyone can do as they prefer, but I don’t like either having multiple blocks of 3 or 4 outlets everywhere or having a single outlet every 1-2 meters (3-6 feet). Without multiple extension cords, you won’t get by anyway or you’ll have to rearrange furniture. It’s difficult to plan for every possible situation. As I said, it’s not about the cost, since an outlet costs about 3-4 € (3-4 USD), but simply a matter of appearance...
@BeHaElJa
In my childhood bedroom, everything was plugged into one outlet (water bed, TV, DVD player, PC, monitor, printer...), and it worked.
What I would recommend to everyone, if they can’t or don’t want to install electric shutters everywhere for cost reasons, is at least to pre-install the wiring for them or alternatively have an outlet at every window to make retrofitting easier later.Appearance is a poor argument against power outlets. Two in every corner, two higher up, one by the window, one by the main light switch—that’s already about 10. All are practical, visually unobtrusive, and give you flexibility. If you run five extension cords across the room and distribute multi-outlet adapters, that’s definitely not nicer.
Just one outlet, like in the past... That was pure luck the fuse didn’t keep blowing or it didn’t catch fire. Plus, a huge tangle of cables. And that doesn’t even include devices I had (like alarm clocks). Nowadays there’s even more electronic toys that need power, and more devices to charge. If I’m spending so much money on building, I want some comfort. What if the PC is on a different side of the room from the TV, or the bed is moved? Much fewer outlets are impractical. With good planning, you only need one multi-outlet power strip for the PC, which is useful anyway so you can turn everything off together.
P
Peanuts7421 Jan 2016 08:10I never said that one outlet would be enough. And it’s undisputed that it was a hassle.
However, for example in a child’s room, you often have to use multiple extension cables at the desk anyway, so I only installed two outlets there. If you wanted a separate outlet for everything, you’d probably need to plan for 6 to 8.
In hindsight, no matter how many you install, you’ll always think at some point, “It would have been nice to have one more here,” or “That one wasn’t really necessary.”
I also know people who need 4 to 5 outlets on each side of the bed for the bed, lights, radio alarm clock, phone charger, and laptop!
However, for example in a child’s room, you often have to use multiple extension cables at the desk anyway, so I only installed two outlets there. If you wanted a separate outlet for everything, you’d probably need to plan for 6 to 8.
In hindsight, no matter how many you install, you’ll always think at some point, “It would have been nice to have one more here,” or “That one wasn’t really necessary.”
I also know people who need 4 to 5 outlets on each side of the bed for the bed, lights, radio alarm clock, phone charger, and laptop!
When it comes to electrical outlets, it’s not just about the number but rather their placement and safety... 2-3 outlets per room are simply too few. If everything is plugged into those few outlets, the load capacity limit is quickly reached...
In my opinion, the appearance suffers much more when cables are lying around everywhere instead of having a pair of outlets conveniently installed in every corner of the room...
In my opinion, the appearance suffers much more when cables are lying around everywhere instead of having a pair of outlets conveniently installed in every corner of the room...
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