Re: DIY Electrical (slightly OT)

Jul 31, 2003 2 Replies
T


But the Australians aren't stupid and have also set limits


> on hourly rates and mark up profits on supplying materials.
> Or in other words, they are all the same at doing the job,
> but if one is more expensive than another, they don't stay
> in business very long because they don't get any work to do.

My underlying question was whether the need to be qualified had generated a shortage thus leading to a rise in prices. In London because there's more than enough work you can pay £45 (A$120) per hour for a decent plumber or electrician, whether formally qualified or not. For the most part they are not really competing on price: how soon they can do it tends to be more significant.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
W

You can pay that much for a piss-poor tradesman as well. Price alone ain't any guarantee of what you're likely to get......

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
H

Sorry, a wee bit late, but I believe that's the crux of the difference between tradespeople down under and tradespeople here in the UK.

Here (In the UK) you can survive quite nicely by being crap & charging a fortune, because there's enough people & few enough tradespeople that you don't need return business in order to make a decent living. However down under where there appear to be more tradespeople per head of population and you need the return business to survive they tend to be a little more professional and a little less cowboy. Of course requiring certification tends to help a wee bit too.

Having said that in NZ IIRC, you can actually perform the wiring (Legally) on your own residence. I dont recall clearly whethe ryou need it certified or not, but I believe you do't have to (Although previously you could, and just needed it checked by an electrician).

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required