Hi, Rioters,
Can someone share with me what the going rate for an electrician is in Canberra? I’ve been quoted $140/ph which is just ridiculous- even if it’s the going rate it just sounds crazy. All we are doing is changing some lights and light switch panels – no rewiring of the walls at all.
Also I know that tradies charge a callout fee, but why? I don’t charge my boss at work for me to drive to work each day, why do tradies have to be any different? I feel if they have the work confirmed then they can drive to it like everyone else – not my problem if they live a few suburbs away.
Keen to hear what people think.
Thanks!
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Ask RiotACT: $140 p/h for an electrician?
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We own a house in Canberra but currently posted overseas for partners work. Seems like $140 is pretty standard, as frustrating as it is. Had tenants complained that one of the downlights needed to be replaced and I literally bought the bulb and fixed it myself when I went there for a routine inspection. For that, not going to pay a sparky to change a lightbulb.. but wiring stuff etc then yes that’s what you pay for
Try being an Automotive engineer...or as called motor mechanic....the lowest paid of all tradespersons !! Disgraceful
Still cheaper than a plumber..lol
Go and do the apprenticeship and get your tradies licence and then do it yourself, and then you can do jobs for people and charge them the pittance you expect to pay
Over $50 billion owing in tertiary education HECS debts.
https://www.morganstanley.com.au/ideas/the-price-of-knowledge
I wonder how much of this is owed by electricians?
With the current trade skills shortage that will $440 in 5 years so suggest you snap the sparky up now at that rate!
Well said Daniel J. Fitzpatrick $140 p/H is probably short if it's only a 1 hour job considering travel and needing materials on top
Pay peanuts, get monkeys 🤷
I don’t question if people deserve their money-both my kids(adults now) work hard for low pay and deserve more - I think my pay is well below what I have to put up with for sure- but I do understand why people can’t always afford to pay tradies to come out- I sympathise with everyone!
Trades will charge what people will pay ($80/hr where I live) and sometimes they charge too much because they don't want the job. Get recommendations and get three quotes.
Sounds fair to me. A couple of factors contribute to this. Cost of doing business and cost of living has been increasing in Australia. Tradies will put their prices up to cover their costs and lower them when the demand for work is not there. Secondly, they are highly skilled people. The stupidity in this country is we pay executive managers whose job could be done, by 80% of the population ridiculous wages, yet highly skilled professionals, tradies, teachers, police etc, are expected to get by on far less, despite being overall more valuable to our country and society.
I pay $60.00. Per job not hour
Andy sounds like many university educated people who disregard and underrate any person with a qualification or skill learned elsewhere.
Andy, your office job doesn't have the ongoing expenses, skills and high risks of tradespeople.
Perhaps also consider that given they work in a physical field their bodies will break down faster than those who work in offices and therefore may not be able to work until the recent arbitrary 70 year old retirement age so need to make their lifetime earnings in a shorter time period.
“The guys who built Opel Towers charge $50/hr”
Those are Sydney prices.
Shock horror.
One of the reasons why my repairs don't get done. That's too big a lump sum out of my age pension.
I agree and Butchery would be the worst paid trade of all!!!
Recently got quoted $5400 for curtains on 4 windows... sparkies should pick up a needle and thread to make more money
Make your own curtains.
Adam Greenough you’ll find that cost is more about materials than their time.
Deirdre Russack exactly what I'm going to do 👍
Claire Lenehan they quote like the material comes from Louis Vuitton
I can recommend Colour Curtains from Dickson.
Why is it that people under rate a trade qualification? They do a 4 year apprenticeship, just like a uni degree but for some reason people think tradies should be paid a pittance. Try getting a lawyer to work for $140 an hour.
Trades people should be respected and paid accordingly.
5 years once GDLP is included. When doing an electrical trade costs tens of thousands of dollars maybe it’s a neat analogy. Apples. Oranges.
Its amazing that by the time they are qualified they will have purchased all their own tools, uniforms unless supplied, their own vehicle, and more all done on apprentice wages. Plus they have to do their accreditation’s, update their skills every 2 years, Renew licenses, make sure they are always compliant with the correct certifications at all times. The amount of money tradies spend to supply these services is huge. If they are self employed once qualified they also have to pay their own insurance, super and income tax. The list goes on....
Bek Clark So those that went to University when it was free should be charging less but they would now be the top silks so that doesn't stack up.
Racheal Green I just get so cross when I hear well educated people who only think someone with a uni degree should be paid well and whinge and whine about someone who has worked just as hard for their qualifications getting a decent wage.
At the end of the day we are all reliant on each other no matter what our occupation is.
Alene Yorke So true, but some people think they are better and that other people should do work for them for a pittance.
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