Stan,
You're right, this is a great forum to get info and help in and it can be frustrating when no response is forthcoming. OTOH, I'm a poster from the fringe and might only ask more questions than giving answers or I might give a less-qualified response since I'm not an electrician or a contractor.
What I might be able to add of value, is the consumer's perspective and a marketing tip here and there (that's one of my areas of interest). I'm also adding the perspective of a customer who knows the value of good contractors, understands the costs involved, and is involved in the QA process. (I used to be a dispatcher for 8-12 telecomm. techs and then an analyst for contracts and project controls)
In that light, I would agree with Fred. Do the best you can with realistic estimates, ensure the quality of the install is consistently high, do a few extras for the buyer, the GC, and the craftsmen (& women) who may follow behind you like the lighting they'll need near their equipment, and make time commitments that are both reasonable and that you can keep, prevent unnecessary 'follow-on' costs like fixes or code or fire risks, and then your reasonable, well-thought out price will serve both you and your customer well.
Also, set your sights on the long-term needs you might forecast for my location, especially if I'd like future bells and whistles but can't immediately afford them, and say you can either pre-wire stuff or allow some expansion options in the design. As a customer, I'd be thrilled that someone who is 'in the know' was advocating for my longer-term interests.
I totally agree with the 'set a minimum price and stick to it' concept as well. There's a minimum cost of you driving your truck out of the driveway and doing any work, find the cost out and add a reasonable profit margin to it.
**Novel concept coming right up**
As a new contractor, you'll be wiser yet to include a small amount into your estimating equation as 'investment or retirement' - a portion of every estimate (a 1% or less even) or every sale that you'll intentionally take out first and put into a retirement fund or education fund for yourself or your kids (existing or future kids). Consider looking back when you're 65 or older and still having 1% or more (with accrued interest or even compounded dividends, of course) of every sale you've ever made. Whoa, nice yacht, rv, or second home, pardner!
Anyway, bottom line, from a customer's perspective is: give me great service, a high quality install, and don't gouge me on the price, and I'll still be shocked at the price but will pay it and be (eventually) happy that I didn't go with the low-bid guy that my neighbor or brother-in-law did.
