Electrical installation, costs?

Hello, I am new here and would like to briefly introduce myself. I am Stefan, 47, woman, 2 boys, as it usually is. We built (almost everything by ourselves, but that is another story). We also carried out all the installation of the electrical cables professionally ourselves. Now I need an electrician for the following work: to carry out the house connection (cable from the energy supplier already available, as we have built onto an existing house), to install a second meter. Install the fuse box in the new building (drywall), connect it and inspect and approve the system. It was mentioned that a 4-row fuse box is involved. The materials the electrician will bring are accordingly the fuse box, an electricity meter and the necessary small materials. All cables are already laid, including the house connection cable (according to the electrician’s specification NMY-J 5x16). How much time and what estimated costs are involved? I was quoted a price of about €2000 plus tax. With a -Googled- hourly rate of about €75 for a master electrician, this seems somewhat high to me. What do the experts present say about this? Regards, Stefan

So if you can even find someone who does that... they will also want some money for it, I find 2000 quite reasonable after all, they have to check the system completely and will be at a disadvantage later in case of an accident.

Is it really that time-consuming to inspect the system? Or is the price only acceptable because he just does it? If I estimate material costs at €500, with an hourly rate of €75, that comes to about 20 hours of work, minus travel and other things, leaving about 17 hours.

Best regards, Stefan

Well, the problem is that the electrician does not know your installation. That means he assumes the risk if he approves the system, but it might not comply with the standards (even if it is just a terminal box somewhere). Now it could be that you operate a larger consumer somewhere and this exact box smokes out.

Then theoretically and practically the electrician has to fix the problem and possibly without payment, since he has to provide a warranty. Exactly where the warranty on an electrical system in a single-family house ends is hard to determine, especially for a court.

And this is exactly the kind of stress many electricians are not interested in... and either refuse outright or have themselves generously compensated.

That you might be able to carry out such repairs yourself afterwards, or will do so, or that such a case might not even arise, does not interest anyone beforehand.

Well, and of course, the further work, like measuring the system, definitely goes into the calculation. You can do it alone and take forever, or you take a journeyman or apprentice with you (which is then simpler and faster), but they also have to be paid.

You see, the topic is not as simple as many believe... just quickly attach a meter, measure a few cables, and done...

I can only agree with Mycraft. 2000 € is appropriate. 1500 € wage for house connection, complete distribution, testing and acceptance of the entire system is justified. Even if you could do everything yourself, you would pay around 500 € just for the signature.

Get at least two more offers.

Do you want everything to be thoroughly checked or do you just want the signature (and connection), as long as it's cheap?