Wow, I didn't expect so much passion. but with all of the posts, only one of my queries has be answered, and that in a roundabout way. The ESI "book" is not for sale to anyone else but ESI members. Perhaps Denny you have obtained a different pricing manual?
Now if I may take a few minutes to reply directly to some of the posts. And this is all (mostly) in jest:
Tiger: Thank you kindly for trying to rip me a new one, and then espouse mercy on my poor uneducated soul.
Bigventure: The underlying hostility in this thread was brought on by my request for yout to "justify" and then "enlighten" me on your pricing practices. It is true that you can charge whatever you want "just because you can", but that is hardly a good reason to. Let me ask you, did you ever, even once, complain about the rising cost of fuel or criticize the oil companies for their record breaking (and absurd) profit? If not, you will surely be nominated for Sainthood, one day (hopefully a long time from now), but if you did, your pricing strategy and your attack on me is hypocritical. You have not given any clues as to whether I was correct in my estimation of you hourly rate for a 200 amp service. If I am way off base (you won't tell me), I apologize, but if I'm not, what I want to know, is that your rate for other work? Based on your truck revenue of upto $365,000/yr, that averages to a little over $200/hr. Why would your service change rate be so much higher? Why stop at $4800? Surely someone will pay $10K. But does that make it reasonable? If gas went to $8/gal we would still pay for it but does that make it reasonable?
As for the prices of service changes here, yes they are $2100. I encounter this every day. Please note that I said "encounter" and not compete with. As a member of ESI, I don't consider those contractors my competiton. I am in a different league than those contractors are. I do understand my cost of providing the services that we do. We do offer the "iron clad" warranty (no one has ever take full advantage of our 100% money back guaranty, becuase of our excellent customer service). We are uniformed, drug tested, background checked, trained and drive the some of the nicest trucks in the area. (see the bottom of the page.) Our 200 amp overhead uprgrade price is usually a between $2800 and $3k depending on the grounding necessary and permitting process. With a total of 8 hours involved, the final hourly rate and profit fit well within our business plan.
Mahlere: You are truely a "business guru" you too bigventure
Fredercburnisky: It is very easy to find out how much it will make (cost) you to join ESI... give them a call 800.505.8885. Without trying to start that debate, It is a good system for some, and not for others. I for one enjoy it and feel privliged to be a member.
http://www.connectionelectric.com/images///DSCN0751.JPG http://www.connectionelectric.com/images///DSCN0756.JPG [This message has been edited by REW (edited 11-17-2006).]
[This message has been edited by REW (edited 11-17-2006).]