How do I get an idea of when an electrician's rates are good, and not overinflated?

Question

What is your opinion of an electrician charging $150 to $200 to add one cable outlet to my kitchen wall. The cable company wouldn't do it, because the cable has to be dropped down through the wall to the floor below and then snaked through the (removable) basement ceiling to reach the main cable outlet box. I might have lucked out if the cable co. did "wall fixes" in my area for $99 for each cable outlet, but for some reason they don't do it in my town in northeastern Connecticut. Anyone with any ideas as to what the "average" price for such a job should be?

Answer 1

It's hard to say what is a reasonable price (but $150 might be okay) without getting several quotes from companies or individuals like on your local CRAIGSLIST under Services or you could even post your own inquiry under like ITEMS WANTED since snaking wires through wall bec there are fire stops in wood framing is tedious and time consuming but one floor shouldn't be bad since removable ceiling.

Another choice if you have a lot of contractor type work might be joining ANGIE's LIST <= membership is pricey but supposely can join for just one month and then just getting quotes from highest rated Cable TV installation firms bec consumer/resident members do decent job subjectively rating firms for their quality of work and sometimes price on different/various repair services and most give honest opinions so please beware not to select bad apples or ones with lowest grades bec they are crooked and you don't want to do business with them or get quotes from bec in the end.

BTW please keep in mind to get in writing when individual or firm is providing written price quote is whether job is complete and includes drywall repair and finish etc or it is something you must have done by yourself or another firm or individual bec sometimes quality and experience in doing the job right is not always the lowest price...

Hope the Above Info Helps!