Showerthought: I never realized how much markup some contractors put on materials until I got a supplier login

I was looking over a quote from a Calgary electrician and the breaker was listed at $85. Looked it up at my buddy's wholesale account and the same one was $32. Has anyone else noticed a huge gap like this or am I just late to the party?

2 comments

2 Comments

hill.jade29d ago

Isn't it funny how nobody talks about what happens if that $85 breaker fails compared to the cheaper one? Markup is one thing, but the real question is whether that contractor is backing his work if the part goes bad. I'd rather pay extra for something my electrician is willing to stand behind, especially with electrical work where a cheap part can burn your house down. But if your buddy can get you the same exact brand and model at wholesale, then yeah, you're getting taken for a ride. Most guys slap on 30 to 50 percent to cover their time sourcing and the risk of warranty headaches. You just gotta figure out if you're paying for the part or paying for the peace of mind.

colesanchez29d ago

Nailed it. Had a $50 part fail and the guy wouldn't even return my calls.