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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923 Likes: 32
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There are still some people who appreciate quality work. When this housing boom slows down it will be the hacks who get fired first.
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
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it is also up to those of us that want to provide the better workmanship to properly sell it to the customer. People are open to paying more if they understand there is pooor workmanship out there. I carry a few photos of some "spaghetti" jobs around when I talk to people, but my jobs are usually special end-use, like recording studios or custom homes, so it is easier to explain the need for neatness to those folks.
p=ie
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 167
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The attitude everywhere seems to be:
"Good enough for today is good enough".
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
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"Poor Craftsmanship" should be the motto for about 90% of the electrical contractors in this area. A few others...
"Exceeding your expectations, when you have none."
"Done right the 8th time, every time."
"No permit? No inspection? No problem!"
"You pay only 3 times to have it done right."
"All calls returned, eventually."
"Call us first, because you'll always need someone else afterwards."
"Need insurance money? Call Firestarters Electrical Contractors today; move into your dream house tomorrow."
"We all die eventually, why wait any longer than necessary?"
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381 Likes: 7
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Redsy: Now that's some company motto collection.
I saw something last Thursday that made me stop and think that I was ashamed to be an electrician. However, thinking further, that was not my work; a 'red sticker' worked wonders!! (That's an advantage as an AHJ)
John
John
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
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I apologize to the other contractors in my area. I was exaggerating. It can't be 90%. It's probably closer to 89%.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
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Redsy: What can you do when you get a service call, half my house is out, we get ther, check the panel, sure eniough one leg is open, pull the meter, leg open, up to the head, and take the tape off, supprise!, romex connectors.
The owner just had the service done last year, by a licensed contractor, this is not the first time we ran across this, and from the same guy, this EC is one that complains about part timers, and hacks eating his lunch.
Your % may be a little low for my area.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
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Les,
Interesting. I always assumed that the reason that about 75% of the work I see is in violation, is because PA has no licensing requirements. Anyone can do electrical work for hire, legitimately, in most towns. You're in NJ, right?
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 197
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Here in MA we DO have regulations and license requirements. We are licensed and insured. Do you know how aggravating it is when the unlicensed, uninsured, unqualified hack gets the job? Price is all that matters. Few people or companies actually check to make sure the guy they hire is licenced or insured. They look at the price and figure; why pay $1000 when I can get the job done for $600!?!?! When the hack is done it still reflects on our entire trade.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 361
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I don't see how the 34 hours of CE (for NJ...where I am also) will make the craftsmanship improve - the hacks that ARE licensed will have to make the 34 hours (plus class costs) up someplace.
The ECs that hire sub-craftsman help know this... Joe EC can make just as much if not more production from a hack and increase his bottomline by that much. Hiring a "perfectionist" costs more.
I wish I were wrong, but I see too much crappy work.
I KNOW I am NOT the cheapest guy in town, I'm probably in the top 10% on cost. My customers KNOW my work is perfect. Yes it cost more. Do I care? Not really. Does the customer care? Of course...but done once and done right will happen. I tend to NOT get many "cold calls", most of, if not all, my calls are from referrals from other customers.
I never played the "slam-jam-and scram" game, and don't intend to. My guys know I want the job done quickly - BUT I better not EVER get a call from a dissatisfied customer....or a red sticker. To accomplish that, all the item s mentioned in the first post are not the way I want the job done.
~~ CELTIC ~~ ...-= NJ =-...
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Posts: 201
Joined: April 2004
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