My family is getting smoke alarms upgraded as per the new laws in QLD. Edit: We are doing this as we have just renovated and need a form 16 to pass. I woke up today and the quote is $690 to install five smoke alarms. My mom seems adamant that the smoke alarms cost $90 as per what the installer has said. Other installers have quoted $130 per smoke alarm. I know they have to be on mains, but it still seems a little over the top. Edit: I have had a look and the alarms are literally $90 each. They have a ten year battery and are wireless interconnect. The cheaper ones would need to be wired in, so the electrician has said there is a saving on wiring cost and labour.
$690 Quote Install Five Smoke Alarms Gold Coast
Cave Fire on 06/03/2020 - 10:27
Last edited 06/03/2020 - 12:36
Last edited 06/03/2020 - 12:36
closed Comments
Isn't this too high?
Do you have quotes from other parties for comparison?
My mom seems adamant that the smoke alarms cost $90 as per what the installer has said.
And
Edit: I have had a look and the alarms are literally $90 each.
Ok, you don't think they time and effort and expertise are worth any money? Then have your mum buy the alarms and install them herself.
If she's appropriately qualified and licensed.
That is quite a rude thing to say. They have already been installed.
@Cave Fire: Not sure what's rude about it - tradespeople and professionals work for their qualifications and expertise and knowledge. You're arguing they shouldn't charge for it.
@HighAndDry: Yeah… didn't say that. And you didn't need to comment referring to my mother, which is obviously rude.
My mom seems adamant that the smoke alarms cost $90 as per what the installer has said.
Hey, you mentioned your mum first. Don't blame me for pointing out why her logic is wrong.
The issue here is that you obviously need the expertise and qualifications of the electrician, but apparently are balking at paying for it.
@HighAndDry: No, I actually did not know they were $90 smoke alarms till about an hour ago. And we need a Form 16 which is the whole point of this.
@Cave Fire: lol, found the person who can't take a 'your mum' joke before one was even thrown around.
@lewislardboy: Yo mamma so organised she got multiple quotes and took the best one to prevent fire safety violations.
It depends on how much you think time is worth. Say $20 to buy a smoke alarm. Then say $70 to install. Do you include the 30 mins or 1hr to get to your job.
You could probably get it done for $600 if you ring around but for 15 minutes work might be worth it.
I think the problem was we should have just bought the alarms and got the electricians to install. We have done $6k + of work with this group.
Removed.
What happens if you are not already pretty? How many smoke alarms do I need to buy to become pretty?
Seems reasonable considering they all have to be fitted by an electrician and wired into an existing building.
My mom seems adamant that the smoke alarms cost $90 as per what the installer has said. Other installers have quoted $130 per smoke alarm.
Then why doesn't your mum get the $90 ones or go with the $130/installed per smoke alarm, which is $650 for five?
Not too sure…
You can get battery operated ones that are compliant with the new legislation. As long as they are wireless interconnected and have a 10 year battery. This place sells 5 for $325 and you can install yourself
https://ipesmokealarms.com/product/10yr-battery-wireless-int…
So if they're $90 each then that's $450. So the other $240 is for installation so $48 each to cover labour and wiring/consumables. Seems reasonable I guess given others have quoted around the same ($130ea is $650).
We have battery operated ones. Stuff the electrician lol
Sorry, we also needed a form 16 for this, so have had to get them installed by an electrician. Cost was $630. I think the reason I thought it was too high is we actually did a similar install two years ago. It was for new legislation that time as well and the cost was $250 for three installed.
How much is a life worth in your family?
$130-140 for a smoke alarm, installed doesn't seem too bad.
It seems like you're literally whinging over $60.
The last time I did this it was $250 for three, just confirming that's what they cost now.
Smoke alarms at $90 a piece … mine cost a similar amount from memory.
5 x $90 = $450 + $240 for labour to make $690. That seems about the going rate.
You also have to look at the labour cost. $450 out of the $690 is the product. The electrician is getting $240 for cutting the ceiling, wiring up, materials. That seems pretty good.
Another question. Why do you need so many alarms? Surely 2 would be enough.
I'm not sure what the question is?