if its hard to hire a journeyman due to labor shortages has anyone ever tried subbing out to other small contractors and stepping on thier price?

Have you tried Temp services?

Usually my work is seasonal, So I'm trying to do sub work. You would think contractors would like this idea but no such luck so far.

The electrical contractor that is on the permit is responsible for doing the work. You cannot sub it out. Any person that works on the electrical project must be gainfully employed by the electrical contractor whether temporarily or permanently.

Depending on the contract you can sub out the whole job. In the end you are the entity held responsible though. So they better be liscensed, bonded, and insured.

I second using the temp services.

S, I kind of have to qualify your assertion.

It is quite true that, however you parse it, 'renting out your license' is a clear violation of contracting laws.

Many times an electrical contractor will bring on subs, though. For example, I often bring in subs to patch walls, dig trenches, pour concrete, etc. I also use them for data, Ansul, refrigeration, and alarm work - even though my license is broad enough to let me do nearly anything with wires.

That said, the 'sub' needs to be a real contractor ... and not some day laborer with ambitions of being a contractor, working for cash. That is, he must have his license, bond, etc.

Does it sound like the work of a general contractor? It sure does. I am allowed to act ... to use the local bureaucrats' word ... as the "prime" contractor as long as the work is primarily electrical. If it's not, then I need to bring in a general contractor.

Thanks for the clarification. I am pricing out a large commercial project(large for me) $25 - $35k. I am a one man operation for the time. I was considering my options for help. I think temps sounds good. I certainty don't want to hire a bunch of full time guys for a few weeks.

Just like anything else, You have to do your homework. I am not sure what a temp agency charges. I hear 50% more than they pay the electrician.

I can't fault the idea of temp services. Indeed, one of the main advantages a union can offer is the ability of a contractor to 'call the hall' for additional crew. (Let's not get into the union / non-union debate though!) Benefits are also through the union - easing that chore for the employer.

As for short term employment ... that seems to be a basic part of the trade. I think we all have been hired for specific projects; and I've certainly known guys who traveled the country, chasing jobs. Maybe that's why we're called 'journeymen.'

All I ever asked was that the employer be clear in his description. Please don't tell me fairy tales about "my great future as part of the team" when you are planning to lay everyone off as the job finishes.

Temp services, as a selling point, tell the employer how they reduce the work for the employer. That is, the employer need not wade through every application, do all the screening, or deal with the paperwork associated with employees. That's the claim; I can't speak for the reality.

In SW Florida a temp agency is a crap shoot. Occasionally you will find a real tradesman who is between jobs (they aren't going to be temps long) but usually it is just "rent a drunk". Guys who can't show up at work 5 days in a row.

You guys might be right about the temp service, I am an E&I Tech. I travel the USA for work. Sometimes I look to my left and I think how did these retards get in, Then I look to my right and wonder how I got in.

I just think it still might be worth looking into. The agency gets the resumes and they do the background check and screening. They then submit that resume to you and you say yeah bring the guy in for an interview. If it doesn't work out then oh well. A lot better than having it not workout and the new guy is on the books. Like I said it might be worth looking into.

I started my business this way. If you have your credentials in order (insurance, etc) There should be no problem subing. As for licensing it we have no said thing here in Pa. However, I assume you work on your own and have athe requires credentials. If you work along side(some job site) are you not working under the other License. As long as you make your own schedule and bill on your letterhead and have insurance you are good to go. I went to all the local supply houses and asked around, till I found some work. Worked for lots of diffrent folks and found out who's good and who's not. Learned alot of diffrent approaches as well.


Ob(Phil)

You all sound like you just got dropped off with one dollar at the park and ride, have you got no friends in the business!? no ties to other contractors, have all your bridges been burnt?

Network! find other start up business and have lunch with the boss, make arrangements with quality licensed contractors...Agencies?! I always wondered how those places stay in business!

I started my company with $700 in my pocket and $10,000 in debt. for the first year I refused to work with my old boss just out of a sense of pride, I refused the crappy jobs he tried to kick my way, I struggled to meet new people and NETWORK, but since I got on my feet my old boss and I pool our resources, And I feel like an equal partner instead of a dependant.

this CAN be a TEAM effort with individuals, as mentioned in other posts, if nothing else, while I learn from all of you I hope you'll learn this from me.

BTW, my company did 1.4 mil in sales in it's 3rd year, and up until now have no time off. I'd love to take the family to a much needed vacation but my guys are hurting (they didn't save all the overtime for a rainy day)so i'm out there looking under new rocks and advertising for the first time.

NETWORK! with other EC's it's a powerful advantage when your starting up and or it's done right.

The financial solvency requirement for a contractor in California is $2500.

How did you get around that?

I think you may find subbing is just as hard to do as to find an available jouneryman. If there are no journeymen available it is likely they are all working and if they are all working then little chance you'll find someone slow enough to be willing to sub.
I see you are from Canada and if your in Alberta the chances of finding anyone that is good willing to sub is extremely small.

Electure,

Your right after getting my license I still had some funds left over in an account, about $4,000, at the time I had just moved out (divorced after 12 years), seperated from my family to live alone in a single bed room apartment, My 99 dodge ram had gotten impounded for missing a few payments. (everything was kept on hold just so I can qualifiy the account requirement) once all the paper work was finalized, I paid off my bills got my truck back and to this day (somewhere) I kept the bank ATM reciept with $700 marking the lowest point in my life (to date), I remember being layed out on my crappy (empty) single room apartment..