As a new resident in Syracuse, I received a welcome letter from Patruno Electric offering to assist with any electrical needs in my new home. After meeting with a representative from Patruno, I received two proposals: (1) to complete rudimentary work in the kitchen and bath, and (2) to install an eight-and-a-half foot under cabinet length of lighting above my countertop. The total for the two proposals was $2,350. I was expecting something in the $1,600-$1,800 range. There was no breakdown of costs (parts, labor, and estimated times to complete the work). I estimated four hours for this job which works out to $587.50 per hour based on the proposal totals. That's a lot. The average hourly rate for an electrician in Syracuse, NY, is approximately $31.90. This figure is based on data from job postings and salary information collected by Indeed. The average pay range can vary, with some sources listing a range from $21.95 to $46.35 per hour. Note: I also bought the fixtures and electrical parts for a portion of the project, so the first proposal's pricing should have been reduced.
When I called to negotiate a better price on the proposal totals, Dave said they were very busy, went silent on negotiation, and recommended that I work with another company. He said, "I'm not trying to blow you off, but..." (When anybody says, "I'm not trying to blow you off," that's EXACTLY what they're doing.) Then, he gave me the names of three other electricians.
I called all three of his suggested contacts. One came in at $3,500, the second never called back, and the third came in at $1,917 for the exact same things I asked Patruno to do. I selected the third electrician who was incredibly helpful, made great suggestions for my home, and booked the work to be done within a week. It was $117 over my budget, but I'm happy with the service I received.
In conclusion, I have discovered that, in general, too many tradesmen "make up" inflated project totals without justification of their work. I understand overhead and profit margins, but to gouge customers who they assume don't understand about fair pricing and will pay without question, is unforgiveable. Patruno is happy to work with you as long as you agree to do what they want.
When did businesses become more important than their customers? My advice: Look around until you find a price within your budget for work you plan to have done, and select businesses that are willing to negotiate and provide exellent, timely service. read more