Ga, Your consulting avenue could be a great thing, and you could make alot of money at it.
However, if that is what you desire, I would dump the avenue you are taking now. Get away from the unions and get yourself in school to be an EE or something with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
I'll bet there are small and medium based EC in your area, who need help in taking on bigger jobs, but don't know how to do them, or who don't know where to turn for help. Some firms around here do just that. They will do all the calcs for you, spec out wiring, switchgears, ect, for a price. They don't call themselves consultants, they are engineering firms.
As stated above, the market for consultants may not be in the resi end of this industry. But the commercial and industrial end is where you should find more money.
All my opinion mind you....
Dnk........
