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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 764
K
KJay Offline OP
Member
So, now that we are almost three months in to it, has 2010 been better or worse than you had hoped it would be so far?
Personally, I think it smells like the same dung... just a whole new pile.

On the plus side though, I believe I have found a guaranteed way to loose any small resi bid that comes around these days.
It's the last line on my estimates, which reads, Electrical Permit/Inspection Fee: City or Town of...

Almost every one of the potential resi service customers that I meet with lately to give that "free" estimate to has the same reply when I bring the subject up... You mean you need to pull a permit for this... really...? Oh, I didn't know that. That statement alone is a sure sign that they won't be calling me back for that work.

I don't mean to sound bitter, but unfortunately it seems like the '08 NEC is more of a hindrance than an ally to legitimate EC's in this economy, at least here in my area. Even if the job only involved adding a few circuits, some additional lighting or simply extending a couple of existing circuits, that represents an additional $150.00 just for the AFCI cb's and TR or even WR/TR receptacles that the lowballer who got the job is not going to use or even concern himself with.
That's a pricing advantage I would like to have in this tight economy. smile

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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 745
E
Member
2010 has been absolutely horrible here. January is usually weak for us anyway, but February has ended up being even worse. Sadly, I don't see any movement on the frontier until the November mid-term elections. The past year hasn't been filled with the "change and hope" that I was expecting.


---Ed---

"But the guy at Home Depot said it would work."
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 165
R
Member
We have focused on the servioce side for the last several years no our repeat customers are keeping us going

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 34
CDS Offline
Member
Business not so good here , like other poster , we are trying to focus on service , unfortunately it is slow too .
I think we can make it , but like you say , bidding seems to be futile these days

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
FWIW, I hear from many EC's that the comm market here is brutal for bids. Comm reno & tenant fit-ups is extreemly tight bids, and there's no 'loyalty' to any EC's.

I see guys traveling from all areas of the state, even for small resi jobs.



John
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 165
R
Member
The advantage to service is you tend to get a more loyal customer as most have been burned by the fly by nite guy. My repeat customers know what I charge so no bid wars.

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3
M
New Member
This has been the worst 2 months i have ever had.We have 3 employees that i hope tuff it out with me. Going from40 hrs plus to 24hrs plus is really tough on us all.

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 165
R
Member
weather finnally breaking so we are starting a new church this week the phone is beginnig to ring and work is starting to pick up. I have called one guy back and hope by the end of the month to bring back another.Caution is still the watch word but survival looks better each day.

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10
B
New Member
So far this year is as slow for me as last. See no signs of any improvement on the horizon. Hope it picks up soon.

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 165
R
Member
The combination of nice weather and income tax refunds has improved the work picture

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