Question on am I getting a line or am I being unreasonable

[Titan7]

So we are in contract for a new build. The PB has the electric sub come to my house and he tells me with a heatpump and long run, we need 1” conduit and 4 gauge wire. Pb call me today and tells me the electric will cost $1200 more. I’m like what, we signed a contract already, he tells me well we were not sure how much the electrician would charge. I’m like what? Don’t you Guys do this all day long. How do you mess up on the cost and now come back to me or more $. So am I being unreasonable to question this?

 

[Bperry]

So we are in contract for a new build. The PB has the electric sub come to my house and he tells me with a heatpump and long run, we need 1” conduit and 4 gauge wire. Pb call me today and tells me the electric will cost $1200 more. I’m like what, we signed a contract already, he tells me well we were not sue how much the electrician would charge. I’m like what? Don’t you Guys do this all day long. How do you mess up on the cost and now come back to me or more $. So am I being unreasonable to question this?

Not unreasonable to question it. What does the contract say?

 

[proavia]

How many amps will the breaker in the main panel be that will service the pool subpanel?
How many feet is the conduit run from the main panel to the pool subpanel?
What EXACTLY does the contract state about electrical?

 

[Newdude]

My cotract spelled it out that over X feet (60 or 75, I forget now) was $Y per foot more.

This was how they quoted it sight unseen.

 

[Time2Relax]

As a long time builder , I think you're perfectly within your rights. Everything should be in the contract...which can only be increased (or decreased) by a Change Order. UNLESS the original contract states that the electrical price was an Allowance Item .

So check the contract that you signed carefully. If it does not mention that electrical may be changed after job starts, then he must do it at the stated price.

But if you feel it is an honest mistake, you might want to meet the PB in the middle. It sucks to work a project with an unhappy Contractor - or customer....

 

[Time2Relax]

My cotract spelled it out that over X feet (60 or 75, I forget now) was $Y per foot more.

This was how they quoted it sight unseen.

So....is it over that distance? If so just do the math......the contract is the law.

 

[Titan7]

The contract has 1/2 conduit at 50ft. Base price but nothing else about additional cost He assumed they would run up the wall from the panel through the attic to the other side of the house to the pad. Today he calls and said it’s 1200 more because they need a longer run and bigger wire and conduit and the electrician will not run it through the attic. I ask why was this not mentioned, he said we did talk about biding out the electrical, I responded what does that mean to me, I signed a contract with you not your subs. I thought that you guys just finding a sub within what $$ you have built into the contract. He also mentioned that the std wire was adequate for a heater the bigger wire is for a heat pump, I told him, the heat pump is in the contract, so why was it not mentioned, he then said I should have added a line pointing that out. goes on to say if the $1200 is an issue we will just eat it. Obviously he did not sound happy, so hear I sit going, WTH? I gotta pay 1200 more or potentially deal with being labeled a bad client.

here are photos of the contract language on electrical

 

[Newdude]

I'm kinda torn here. The PB thought they'd take the easy path, but he's not an electrician. The cost of the bigger conduit isn't all that much but trenching and thicker gauge wires sure are.

You're definitely getting more than the base package, but it's not your fault/doing either.


I'd offer to split the difference as said above. *only* to help the good relationship. The next goof could be way worse and you might choose to pick that one as your battle.

 

[JamesW]

It says that the buyer is responsible for the electric supply.

I would say that the upcharge is probably reasonable.

Maybe go back and offer to split the difference.

 

[Titan7]

The buyer is responsible for the panel should I need to upgrade the service.

 

[JamesW]

The buyer agrees to supply necessary electrical services and subpanels to run the pool equipment and accessories.

 

[Newdude]

Mine was similar. All the electric was on me to provide, or the PB would provide an electrician for basic wiring for $XXXX.