ᐅ Is the electrical work cost estimate from the contractor realistic?

Hello everyone,

We received a quote from a home builder.
The electrical work is estimated at 16,500 euros.
According to the building specification, this includes the following:

Are the estimated costs in the quote realistic for this scope?
I’m asking because the builder offers the option to remove the electrical work from the contract and subcontract it separately.
Since we would like to have a KNX installation, we find this option interesting. However, it’s important for us to know whether we would have to expect significantly higher costs for the basic installation if we outsource it.

Best regards

For €16,500, this is a very tight budget. Once you add your additional requests (and there will probably be many – I would likely plan for at least 50 extra electrical outlets, various lights, and network connections), the cost will be much higher.

That seems far too few power outlets to me as well. In my three-room apartment, I have:

Bedroom
- 8 outlets (2 beside the bed, 1 on the wall for TV + LAN socket, 1 near the door for vacuum cleaner, 1 on another wall for ambient lighting, 2 window outlets, 1 in the closet)

Hallway (only 2 x 2 m (6.5 x 6.5 ft))
- Motion sensor, 1 outlet

Storage room
- 1 outlet for washing machine, 1 additional outlet

Bathroom
- 5 outlets (2 above the washbasin, 1 below, 1 under the cabinet in a niche, 1 window outlet)

Office
- 8 outlets (1 near the door, 3 double outlets on 3 walls, 1 window outlet, 2 LAN sockets)

Living room
- 9 outlets (1 near the door, 2 for TV strip, 4 single outlets distributed around the walls, 2 window outlets, 1 LAN, 1 TV)

Kitchen
- 11 outlets (9 outlets arranged according to kitchen planning, 1 window outlet, 1 dishwasher and stove connection)

Terrace
- 4 switchable outdoor outlets, 2 light points, 1 TV outlet

---------------------
48 outlets for 66 sqm (710 sq ft) of living space plus terrace. After more than ten years of living here, I still don’t have any extension cords or similar, because there is power available somewhere if needed. There are some multi-outlet adapters in a few places (TV, home office), simply because one or two more devices are used there.

Plus lighting points and, in living areas and bedroom, two-way switches so you can turn lights on or off, for example, from the bed or the door.

Thank you.
So, it probably makes more sense for us to outsource the electrical work and have it individually planned, right?
Because if we customize everything with the supplier, it would likely be more expensive, wouldn’t it?
We were already aware that the quote includes too few power outlets and network connections.
The 16,500 euros just seemed very low to us. That’s why we thought outsourcing with individual planning would overall be significantly more expensive than the supplier’s basic electrical package plus customization.

You should ask for individual prices. Cost per single socket additional, double socket additional, switching with one or multiple light points, etc.
This way, you can keep track of expenses, at least to some extent.

However, installation using KNX is a completely different level.
Try to get several quotes if possible.
There will be a few more cables involved.

When subcontracting the electrical work from the general contractor, always remember to discuss and document in writing the implications of this. The trade is frequently on site, so proper coordination is essential. It involves drilling many holes, which can affect airtightness. It also interacts with other trades, and so on. 😉

What are your plans regarding KNX? What functionality do you want, and what budget do you have in mind? Are you planning to do any of it yourselves?