ubtil you have in the hvac field you will know that even though that flat rate is very popular there there is alot of contractors that don't charge flat still.
if you guys are looking for material on electrical flat rate i would recccomend trying
www.mrhvac.com and ask for the free packet they have software that can be added or specialized designed for the electrical industry. Also isn't flat rate the same has giving an estimate for t&m and than sticking to it no matter the time it takes?
I also agree that the electric industry is lacking in contractor support services, but who can we blame unions ourselves? customers wanting to do it them selves??