Electric billing - based on which principle?

What exactly is stated in the construction service description? For us, e.g., 2* single, 1* double, etc.

For us, only the number of sockets per room was listed, but no price difference was made between double and single sockets. The general contractor charged 39€, the electrician 26.50 net.

First of all, thanks for the answers. However, I was NOT concerned about whether the price per can is okay (that is a different issue) - I wanted to know if the described calculation method is common or if this is a case of fraud

Fraud? Oh dear, what a nasty word! You signed for something and now want more service. Contract freedom applies here! You don’t have to accept the offer. Often it happens that tradespeople, especially in the low-price segment, are pressed on price, then the business is made through such surcharges.

90€. The material cost is 4-5€. Installation takes less than a minute. Nice hourly wage. It’s not fraud, but not fair. Basically, you already have 4 different locations. Now it should just be expanded. Take these 4 locations and find someone privately. I wouldn’t throw a single € to the electrician. Outrageous a) these prices b) the billing

Distribute the four individual sockets well, then simply make 1-2 holes next to them with a hole cutter. Then buy a frame for a 2-3 gang socket and done!

- 2x double sockets cover the 4 sockets per room from the building description
- in addition, there are now extra costs of 1x double socket + 1x single socket = 120€+90€ = 210€

=> The electrician is therefore charging more than double what we expected – purely due to a different calculation method.

My question to the forum now would be:
Is the electrician actually applying a common calculation method or is this fraud?

The question is how the 4 single sockets per room included in the building performance description are valued. There probably aren’t any standard methods for billing here; it depends on the written word. But I see it like you do.

He cannot/should not equate two double sockets with 4 single sockets. This already follows from the stated price difference and the small additional effort for the double socket known to him. He surely will not install 4 additional single sockets for you at the price of two double sockets.

What the electrician is trying is cheeky, and he knows that too. I wouldn’t accept it either and would only source the absolute minimum from him.

> So the electrician is charging more than double what we expected – purely because of a different calculation method.

You chose a calculation method that is most favorable to you and based your expectations on that. The electrician is not to blame for that. He simply does not calculate exclusively to your advantage. The electrician is not responsible for your expectation, you are.

Both "calculation methods" are comprehensible. To label one of them even remotely as "fraud" is completely inappropriate. If I were to encounter such behavior from a prospective client, I would withdraw the offer and refuse them as a customer. Nobody needs customers like that. Too much potential trouble and wasted good life time.

I would still talk about the price – but in a different tone.