[99cents]

Invested sixteen man hours into running some surface mount wiring and installing five of these Ikea cable light sets. Wiring the transformers was a complete PITA. It took over an hour to take apart the first one, install it and put it back together again. Somebody isn't going to be impressed when I send them a bill.

 

[wcord]

I've had to install a few Ikea fixtures and they make Home Dopot stuff look awesome.
The metal is one gauge above tin foil.

 

[Mrphil]

I agree what piece of s!!!. hate this stuff- we had to call the maker and get more supports what a joke.Also,had 24' foot of light rail down a hallway that we had to bend in s shape.
Homeowner was not happy w/$1700.00 install

 

[wcord]

I agree what piece of s!!!. hate this stuff- we had to call the maker and get more supports what a joke.Also,had 24' foot of light rail down a hallway that we had to bend in s shape.
Homeowner was not happy w/$1700.00 install

When it comes to flexible rail installs, I insist on almost double the recommended supports.
And before we even set foot on the job, I make sure the customer understands that the install will take a lot more time than normal.

 

[Joefixit2]

On our bids for new construction we always put "install owner/contractor provided standard surface mounted fans and fixtures, non standard items my incur additional labor charges"

 

[drspec]

On our bids for new construction we always put "install owner/contractor provided standard surface mounted fans and fixtures, non standard items my incur additional labor charges"

You should probably add in a line about standard height ceilings. Any ceiling above 10' would incur an additional charge.

 

[drspec]

Invested sixteen man hours into running some surface mount wiring and installing five of these Ikea cable light sets. Wiring the transformers was a complete PITA. It took over an hour to take apart the first one, install it and put it back together again. Somebody isn't going to be impressed when I send them a bill.

I had to install some of those in a job about 3 years ago. Total pieces of **** and a pita to install.

 

[butcher733]

I've seen these type of lights before and I'm wondering, are the rails low voltage AC? Is there any insulation on them?

 

[sparky402]

Ive installed my share of those. Luckily after a couple we got it down to a science. The bendable rail on the other hand is a pita. I hope i never have to install that crap again

 

[Semi-Ret Electrician]

On our bids for new construction we always put "install owner/contractor provided standard surface mounted fans and fixtures, non standard items my incur additional labor charges"

Good note. I was asked to install a light and gave a typical price.
Except the "light" provided had a million little chains and crystal pieces.

 

[backstay]

Good note. I was asked to install a light and gave a typical price.
Except the "light" provided had a million little chains and crystal pieces.

I had one that was a clear bucket with rocks in it! Some assembly required.

 

[LGLS]

A friend asked me to install 3 little eyeball hi-hats IFO his fireplace. They were from Lowes. The little buggers looked like toys, and held a 120v MR type lamp but smaller than a MR-16. Something like 50 watts. I could crush the can in on one hand. Under the paint I think it said "Fosters!" But they were listed...

 

[sheepgotoheaven510]

Dude....did you read the directions?

 

[99cents]

Dude....did you read the directions?

Yeah. Ikea directions (??)

 

[99cents]

I've seen these type of lights before and I'm wondering, are the rails low voltage AC? Is there any insulation on them?

Insulated lo vo cables. Pins on the head screw into the cable to make the connection.

 

[Joefixit2]

You should probably add in a line about standard height ceilings. Any ceiling above 10' would incur an additional charge.

I have plenty of step ladders to get up to a 16 foot ceiling, I don't really need to charge extra for that. If it is over a stair or a 22 foot ceiling in the entry I can see that on the plans and add it in accordingly. If I miss that on the plans it's really my fault, can't really come along later and cry foul when I was given plans to bid from.

Now when they show up with a 150 lb chandelier that wasn't spec'd.....sorry can't put that on my 50 lb rated standard box, time for a change order:whistling2:

 

[daveEM]

I have plenty of step ladders to get up to a 16 foot ceiling, I don't really need to charge extra for that.

Of course you do. You wire a building with a 14 foot ceiling and I'll wire one with an eight foot ceiling.

Not only will you get giant leg and arm muscles from climbing and moving the 16 footer you will get tired.

Do it for five years and the time you wasted going up an extra 10 feet I will have wired and banked the bucks for an extra 50 buildings working off my 4 footer... which I almost clip to my tool belt I might add.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

Of course you do. You wire a building with a 14 foot ceiling and I'll wire one with an eight foot ceiling.

Not only will you get giant leg and arm muscles from climbing and moving the 16 footer you will get tired.

Do it for five years and the time you wasted going up an extra 10 feet I will have wired and banked the bucks for an extra 50 buildings working off my 4 footer... which I almost clip to my tool belt I might add.

Of course you do. You wire a building with a 8 foot ceilings and I'll wire one with a six foot ceiling.

Not only will you get giant leg and arm muscles from climbing and moving the 4 footer you will get tired.

Do it for five years and the time you wasted going up an extra 2 feet I will have wired and banked the bucks for an extra 50 buildings working off the ground...:jester:

 

[svh19044]

I have Tech Lighting Kable lites in my office and have installed them for a couple of customers. While they are a bit time consuming, the coolness makes up for them. WIthout knowing what 16 man hours includes, it's impossible to say if that is a lot of time or normal. If the boxes for the xformer side were already there, that is pure learning time on your behalf. If that includes five separate switch legs and boxes, 16 hours is probably about right.

Now I don't know the price of the Ikea cable lights, but the Tech Kable lites aren't exactly cheap. If the pricing is similar to Tech, they might not be so upset about your labor bill!

 

[Joefixit2]

Of course you do. You wire a building with a 14 foot ceiling and I'll wire one with an eight foot ceiling.

Not only will you get giant leg and arm muscles from climbing and moving the 16 footer you will get tired.

Do it for five years and the time you wasted going up an extra 10 feet I will have wired and banked the bucks for an extra 50 buildings working off my 4 footer... which I almost clip to my tool belt I might add.

OK yes I will bid it higher from the start for the high ceilings but my point is I don't need to add a clause in my bid about high ceilings because I already should know that by reading the plans during the bid process. The only unknown is the fixture that will be chosen, thus the "standard fixture" clause.