Is 2856+VAT reasonable for installing 34 power points

[manningmark]

Hi I work in a school and we are building a new ICT lab.

I have been quoted £84 / socket = 2856 + VAT for 34 double power points.

This will be 4 radial circuits and will come from an existing board that is just outside the classroom. I like the contractor, but our budget is low. Is the price reasonable or way over the top.

Thanks for any advice.

Mark

 

[Spark123]

Don't worry about the VAT - the school can claim it back

As for the quote - it is impossible to say without seeing the job and knowing what has been specified.
It will not be just any old radial circuit - ICT equipment can have high earth leakage so special precautions need to be taken (high integrity earthing) - but lets not go there

 

[oharaf]

Hi Mark, without seeing the job it is hard to say.

However to me that appears to be bordering on the ridiculous.

At the most I would have said that £2000 would be more than enough.

If you send me some further details I could give you a better idea of price.

i.e. Room dimensions, do you require trunking etc, does the board have spare ways in it, what make is the board

As much detail as possible.

By the way which school is it in Notts? From there myself and taught in Nottingham for a couple of years before becoming a sparky.

If it would really help I will be down pretty soon and would happily give you a price even if it is to get the price down, I am re-wiring my uncles place in Stapleford (for free) as a big thank you for all the help he has given mum, dad and my 6 brothers and sisters, least I can do i feel

 

[oharaf]

123, you had to mention the blooming 'HIE' i was so careful not to mention it as well!!!

 

[crystal ball]

As Spark 123 said need to see the job, what type of trunking - three compartment, bench type, dado, is the room square or are there bay windows/doorways to get round

 

[Spark123]

I know - sorry.
I promise not to go to 40 pages this time

I'm wondering if they have specified MK powerlink or similar?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I know - sorry.
I promise not to go to 40 pages this time

It's OK - the circuits are radials, so the HIE requirements should be easier for people to understand...

 

[manningmark]

Thanks all for the quick response.

There is a board with spare ways, the installer said he would install an new board inside the room spurred (if that's the right term) off one of the spare ways. Can't access the board without fetching a ladder and lugging up two flights of stairs, but the outer casing says Dorman Smith Series 15.
It'll be something like this

[code:1]
_ ______________
|\ ) XX X|
| \ ) X|
| \) X|
|X XX X|
|X XX X|
|X XX X|
|X XX X|
|X XX X|
|X XX X|
| /) XX X|
| / ) X|
|/ )______________X|
PS

PS = existing power supply board
X = double socket

Cabling will run under the floor above the suspended ceiling of the room below.
Desks are bespoke and will incorporate trunking so it is hard to say where this cost has been included.


[/code:1]
Thanks for the offer of providing a quote. TBH it would be a waste of your time as I am likely to use the contractors as they are proving the whole suite including bespoke desks etc and it makes sense for them to do it all. However I have to try and keep the price down and the electrics cost was one that I had no idea what to expect.

 

[RF Lighting]

It is not uncommon for ICT suites to specify sockets such as MK K1826WHI, as well as the high integrity earthing circuits mentioned above.

If so, half of the quote could easily be for materials alone.

As has already been mentioned, ICT suites are not a standard installation, so will always be more expensive to wire up.

 

[Chri5]

Might it be worth thinking about UPS provision.

I know school ICT isn't say as critical as a commercial comms centre, but smoothed mains and no sudden drops would help retain the operation of the facility.

 

[bernardgreen]

Cabling will run under the floor above the suspended ceiling of the room below.

Keep the number of holes in the floor to the minimum and and sealed. You should check what fire protection ( if any ) is legally required to prevent spread of fire up through the floor.