I don't know how you can survive on T&M in the retail marketplace.
1) CraigsList quotes -- and the like -- are set by non-businessmen/ tradesmen unaware of their economics.
a) They assume that they'll be able to bill 40 hours/week...
b) They assume that they'll be able to bill for materials runs...
c) etc.
2) The market/ public/ general contractors would rather have trunkslammers take a shot at the task... assuming that, really, anyone can be a wire runner. After all, just how tough can running Romex be?
3) Professional design expertise is expected to come free... right along with a free quotation... and your consequent personal visit -- and jaw, jaw. Obviously, you've got nothing better to do, anyway. All the other guys are advertising free quotes -- and, implicitely, free design.
4) Any sales effort will be used against you. Namely, the prospect simply compiles design advice until he feel comfortable working up his own scheme -- which is to hire day labor talent and have them attempt to pull things together. If and when it does not quite work, he can always pay for a quick service call.
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The o n l y way that T&M can work out is if the contractor drags his feet -- a lot.
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