I know this a very vague question, but ball park figure, how much should it cost to have a professional electrician fully wire a basement being finished? I was quoted $1700 and thought it was very high?

A ball park figure is $1000.00 to $2000.00, and as I say many times, what size ballpark is involved, a pro team or T Ball league.

Contract amount greatly depends on the scope of work to be done, such as, quantity of receptacles, cost of light fixtures, quantity of light fixtures and switches, any CATV or phone outlets, smoke detectors, demo or relocating of any existing wiring and junction boxes,amperage size of circuits being installed, quantity of homeruns to panel and circuit breakers , distance to panel.

Price also depends on the market area you are located in. The prevailing rate of labor and overhead here in the woods of Maine is certainly a lot less than other areas of the country.

I am originally from Connecticut, and you would be surprised what I could charge there because of the high operating costs, they will be taxing air there soon, ( and yes the profit I could make)

Assuming you have created a sketch of the basement, and noted where you want any outlets, lights, switches, and a list of any other job conditions or scope of work, you can ask for prices from other contractors, typically three prices are gotten. Be sure each contractor is bidding on the same scope of work.

If you did not have exactly what you wanted listed or shown on a plan, then you allowed the contractor to design and layout the job using your suggestions or ideas of what you wanted. Many times a contractor adds into his price the time it took him to design the job.

If he is a small contractor, he may not be getting the best price on materials, since he does not have the buying power of a larger contractor.

Best I can offer is to ask for prices from a few other contractors, in writing listing exact scope of work, to protect you and him from any disagreements later on. Costs of permits also varies.

So hope this helped, if not get back with any other questions.