Bryant Electric Serviced

Contractor wanted $773.00, saying that was their "Standard Flat Rate". Way out-of-market pricing with little realistic justification. At best, this is a 30 minute-per light-fixture job (2 hours total, if that), amounting to simply hooking up 3 wires to the existing ceiling outlet for each small, pre-wired replacement light fixture, attaching the light to the hanger (simple snap ring) and securing the cover plate with two screws. From that, I can deduce that their "Standard Flat Rate" in this case equates to $386/hour (4 lights × 0.5 hour/light = 2 hours. $773 ÷ 2 hours = $386.50/hour), or $193.25 per replacement light fixture ($773 ÷ 4 lights). Since then, other certified electricians in our area have offered the same service for $50/hr (low) to $135/hr (high), noting about 2 hours for the job. That's about 1/3 Bryant's pricing. Nobody quoted a "Standard Flat Rate". They did charge a "Service Fee" if they came out and didn't perform the job due to us not going ahead with it. But that "Fee" was not assessed if we went ahead with the work and paid the hourly bill. Bryant justifies its out-of-market pricing by saying that it provides "quality" service (I.e., technicians keep the work area clean; offers a guarantee of service). That's nice to hear. But, any certified electrician must provide service that meets city Code requirements and certification standards; so what value is a "guarantee" for work that, by definition, is already guaranteed by Code and certification? And keeping the work place "clean" is to be expected, but if not, certainly not worth an extra $250/hour.