Gauss Guzzler
Safety Score = 42
Wow, these electricians are not off to a good start.Got a second quote. I asked for #6 wire and he said it would be an additional $150 because he would have to buy additional wire and it’s very expensive right now.
If the wire is being run externally (in conduit) then each of the 2 or 3 strands of #6 THHN will cost as much as $0.67/foot if your electrician is a hack and pays full retail. Doing the math with 5 feet and 3 conductors you'll see that it quickly adds up to well over $9. Plus another dollar for the ground wire!
If he's fishing the wiring thru finished walls he'll use 6/3 NM-B which is considerably more expensive $3.80/foot for three conductors with ground so the wiring cost (at full retail) skyrockets to over $19, but you will save the ~$10 cost of conduit so it ends up about the same.
If your electrician doesn't have any electrician-y stuff, like wire, then maybe he's not as prepared for the job as he thinks he is.