How much should I pay my BIL?

[torinsmom]

I have needed some electrical work done for several years. My BIL lost his job and is delivering pizzas and newspapers right now. He was an electrician's helper when he was in college, so he knows a lot about that stuff. Anyway, I called an electrician and he wanted $150 to put in one celing fan. So I called my BIL and asked if he could do the stuff instead. He came yesterday and did it. I had to leave before he finished and I told him to let me know Sunday how much I owe him.

He was here 6 hours. He put up one celing fan completely. He also changed the light kit on a second fan. He replaced my light in my bathroom and he replaced the vent hood over my range. I paid for all the supplies(had to go out and buy some things, some of which he left here, some he kept, like wire strippers he needed) What do you think is fair? I know he will try to tell me like $75 or something. I was thinking of saying $25/hour or $150. Do you think that is enough?

Marsha

 

[Christine]

My husband is an electrician and yeah, at LEAST $150.00 for fan. It's a pain in the butt if there is no existing fan.

I think the $150 sounds good since he did all that other stuff for you and he's not a "real" electrician that has to maintain a license and testing fees.

On the other hand, I try to treat family members well who do work for me because I like not having a stranger in the house. I'm paying my dad the same money the painter was going to charge me to paint a room. My dad will work on my schedule, I trust him in the house while we are at work, and he needs something to do.

 

[Darcy03231]

I think that sounds fair.

 

[kirstenb1]

$150 sounds good, or maybe a little more. DH has done several ceiling fans for different relatives, and he'd agree with Christine, they are a pain in the butt!! It's hot, and dh has to climb up in the attic to do it.

 

[torinsmom]

I was really shocked at the $150 estimate. A licensed electrician gave me an estimate to install a ceiling fan in my screen porch which INCLUDED running wiring from the house, putting in the electrical box, etc. for that same price last year. I wish I could have found his card when I needed it. This was just taking down a simple dome light, connecting the wires and securing everything. The electrical box and all the wires were there.Took my BIL an hour and a half and he is a pretty slow worker. The other ceiling fan took about 45 minutes(it was tricky switching out the light) and the vent hood took about 2 hours. The light in the bathroom took about 30 minutes and then the rest of the time we were talking and I went and got us lunch.

I am going to ask him how much I owe him and pay him what he says or $150, whichever is more.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

$150 sounds good, or maybe a little more. DH has done several ceiling fans for different relatives, and he'd agree with Christine, they are a pain in the butt!! It's hot, and dh has to climb up in the attic to do it.

No attic climbing for mine. The box was already secured as I had a ceiling fan up there before. I also helped, putting the brackets on the blades, holding the fan while he secured it, holding the screws, etc. I probably could have done it myself with my DS's help, but I don't like to take a chance with electricity.

Marsha

 

[Christine]

No attic climbing for mine. The box was already secured as I had a ceiling fan up there before. I also helped, putting the brackets on the blades, holding the fan while he secured it, holding the screws, etc. I probably could have done it myself with my DS's help, but I don't like to take a chance with electricity.

Marsha

Oh, okay, that makes a huge difference. I think the $150 is very generous.

 

[SC Minnie]

I would pay him $150 plus send over a baked good or casserole you know the family likes as an extra thank you.

 

[kirstenb1]

okay, I was picturing installing a new fan. after hearing more, I think your offer sounds reasonable.

 

[Beanstalker]

Sounds good and maybe a bottle of wine or 6pack of beer for good measure.

 

[simba20]

Hmmm.

We just bought a new house and had an elctrician come out and od the following:
-- check a switch with a dimmer in our dinign room that was makign the plate hot (it's the dimmer that's was causing it...everythignn was okay)
-- install a new dryer plug (after the hubster nearly electrocuted himself)
-- fix the outside outlets and garage outlets (same circut) that kept tripping
-- install new bathroom exhaust fan

Got the bill and I was surprised to only see charges of $115.

 

[Iott Family]

I think $25 an hour is the best solution for any future work BIL might do for you. Its a fair wage for solid work!