I'm sure you must have had this sort of thing happen.

Landlord of a local pub asked for separate quotes for various work. One quote is to install an exhaust fan in the pub's kitchen, as at the moment it has a window-mounted 4-inch job which is totally inadequate.

I quoted for a 12-inch fan (good rugged commercial model, as requested & as makes sense) complete with two-speed reversible controller & all wiring of course.

Installation would have to be through a 10-inch brick wall. I included the price for my GC neighbor to make the opening, make good the wall afterward etc. (he's much better at brickwork than I am, and this being a commercial kitchen the job would need to be done as quickly as possible).

Total I quoted came to £439.76 (about $660) plus tax (which he would reclaim).

The problem is that his associate told him that the whole job shouldn't come to more than about £100 ($150), and apparently the guy nearly had a fit when he saw the quote.

Just the fan and controller alone would cost me £275 at the electrical warehouse. [Linked Image]