Hey everyone, I'm a new homeowner trying to figure out the costs of replacing smoke and CO detectors in my house which was built in 2001. I need to replace three combo detectors and one 110v smoke detector, but my electrician is charging me a whopping $1374 for the job! The detectors themselves shouldn't cost more than $500, so I'm wondering why the installation costs are so high. I'm also considering DIY but not sure where to begin. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, I think you're overpaying for the electrician. Smoke detectors are pretty easy to replace yourself! You can find quality models like Kidde at Home Depot for around $60 each. If you're comfortable with DIY, it's definitely worth looking into doing it yourself or asking a friend who's handy to help out. Even if they're hardwired, as long as you stick to the same brand, it's mostly just unplugging and plugging in the new unit without needing to mess with any wires.
It's crazy how affordable they are now! Got mine for under $100 too. It just seems like a waste to pay someone for a simple swap.
I think the high quote from your electrician is partly because they're often billing for their time as if they were doing a full-scale job. If they're only coming out to do something simple like this, yeah, they’re going to charge a premium since they could easily be working on bigger projects. If you're not comfortable with the wiring, maybe get a friend who's more experienced to help? It's usually simple enough to take out the old units and put in new ones.
That makes sense! It's just frustrating seeing such a high quote for a small job.
Exactly, if you've done any light work before, you can totally handle this yourself. Just make sure to turn off the mains first!
Seriously, if you just need to replace hardwired detectors, consider doing it yourself. They typically just plug into the existing wiring harness. You can grab the replacements for about $50 each. Sure, it can be a bit tricky if you're unsure about electrical work, but there are tons of videos online that can guide you through it. Don't let the high estimates scare you off!
Yeah, I'll definitely check out some YouTube tutorials. Thanks for the tip!
Absolutely! I replaced mine with little hassle, and it felt great knowing I did it myself.
For sure! I swapped out eight in my last place, and it only took about 45 minutes. Once you get the hang of it, it's super quick.