How much to pay a neighbor for electrical help

[Wagtail]

He offered to give you hand, he is well aware of what it costs to do the job and wanted to help you out, I would offer him $500 in cash if you have it, if not, offer whatever you can..

He's a neighbour and offered to help as a retired electrician.

The way it works around here (Tassie) is that you find out what his favourite libation is (ie: beer X2 of cases), drop them off and ask if there is anything that you can help with around his property.

I was once asked to slash a property. She estimated a half day and, of course, it actually took almost two days due to the terrain. My 'price' was a 20ltr can of diesel and 6 bottles of Pinot Noir. To me it was all 'tractor fun'.

 

[goeduck]

The way it works around here (Tassie) is that you find out what his favourite libation is (ie: beer X2 of cases), drop them off and ask if there is anything that you can help with around his property.

That is the way it is here. I never would agree to take anything from my elderly neighbors. One weekend the neighbors wife noticed a Porter beer in my hand and from that point on I get a Growler of Porter when I do something for them

 

[nbking]

I used to charge about $1500-$2000 for a main panel replacement. That's for two guys, and all the parts to do it. $500 sounds about right for him helping.

 

[wagne223]

Well it’s clear he didn’t say don’t pay him. If it’s too much he will decline all or part of it. The $25/hr figure seems low- maybe what an employee is paid (no tools and a supervisor to oversee them) I’d be insulted by $150 for 7hrs of work. Electricians are billed between $60-$80/hr in most parts of the country. More in expensive areas (typically big cities).
I’d have $500-$600 in $100 bills and hand that to him. If he takes it all you paid what his time is worth. If hands back more than $200 take his family to dinner or something with the difference.
I’m betting the minimum a licensed contractor would charge is $1500 plus full pop for parts and they won’t let you help!
Bottom line- you got a deal.....even at $600!!!

This is how I think also.

 

[LouNY]

I guess I'm cheap but I have done the same job and was fine with $200 even though was offered $400, and if all he had given was $50 or $100 I would not have complained as I offered to help with the project, he didn't ask me too.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I say offer him $350, and a case of his favorite beer.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I would never take money from a neighbor in exchange for a relatively small job, but this guy obviously is expecting payment. This was probably a bit of surprise to you.

The problem here is, does he expect market value for his labor? or is he giving you a "neighbor discount"? Quite frankly, once a neighbor has let me know he wants some $$$, I'd want him to name the price as it's a guessing game at that point and you run the risk of creating problems. Should have settled on a price at first IMO. Always important and even more so with neighbors.

These things can be tricky. Some folks are insulted if you offer them money; others expect it. Our neighbor who plows everyone out in the rare times that's needed, I wasn't sure how to handle it. He just shows up and plows all the driveways. I ran out and thanked him and offered some $$. He said he just does it to help out all the old folks and widows, so I pulled out a twenty and said this is for gas to plow out all the old folks and widows.

 

[LouNY]

I would never take money from a neighbor in exchange for a relatively small job, but this guy obviously is expecting payment. This was probably a bit of surprise to you.

The problem here is, does he expect market value for his labor? or is he giving you a "neighbor discount"? Quite frankly, once a neighbor has let me know he wants some $$$, I'd want him to name the price as it's a guessing game at that point and you run the risk of creating problems. Should have settled on a price at first IMO. Always important and even more so with neighbors.

These things can be tricky. Some folks are insulted if you offer them money; others expect it. Our neighbor who plows everyone out in the rare times that's needed, I wasn't sure how to handle it. He just shows up and plows all the driveways. I ran out and thanked him and offered some $$. He said he just does it to help out all the old folks and widows, so I pulled out a twenty and said this is for gas to plow out all the old folks and widows.

good one

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I would never take money from a neighbor in exchange for a relatively small job, but this guy obviously is expecting payment. This was probably a bit of surprise to you.

The problem here is, does he expect market value for his labor? or is he giving you a "neighbor discount"? Quite frankly, once a neighbor has let me know he wants some $$$, I'd want him to name the price as it's a guessing game at that point and you run the risk of creating problems. Should have settled on a price at first IMO. Always important and even more so with neighbors.

These things can be tricky. Some folks are insulted if you offer them money; others expect it. Our neighbor who plows everyone out in the rare times that's needed, I wasn't sure how to handle it. He just shows up and plows all the driveways. I ran out and thanked him and offered some $$. He said he just does it to help out all the old folks and widows, so I pulled out a twenty and said this is for gas to plow out all the old folks and widows.

A small job would be changing out an outlet, not a whole new service panel. Did the op rewire the whole house too? Many service panels are changed out to put in new wire with grounds.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

A small job would be changing out an outlet, not a whole new service panel. Did the op rewire the whole house too? Many service panels are changed out to put in new wire with grounds.

No one's disputing the value of installing a new service panel; although a lot of the cost is parts (those dang breakers are surprisingly expensive). I'll just say again, esp with neighbors that you haven't done this before, establish the terms first. Now that that ship has sailed:

Just ask him how much he wants to be paid. Insist he name the price. Then you'll know what basis you're on going forward.