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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 106
M
Member
Hi guys. (and ladies)
Looking to see if any contractors would like to share with me the common method for pricing new houses. I started my side business 2 years ago and may venture into doing new houses. I did 1 house re wire and priced it per device and time to do it. Do some of you price per square foot and if so what is the going rate per square foot.
How did you get your foot in the door to start doing houses? I know some of you will be hesitant to give away your pricing but hope I can gain some useful input from the experienced contractors. Feel free to private message me if your worried about giving your pricing for all to see that may be competing in your same geographical location!!


Never trust an electrician with no eyebrows!!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 106
M
Member
Well I guess I am on my own here. Thought for sure that I would get some advise. (Even private message)
Well mabey I have already received my advise from the underground market. Just low ball everyone's price, perform shady work pratices, and bring down the trade with it!
Under my watch though......NEVER!


Never trust an electrician with no eyebrows!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
MrElectrician:

Good day from the Garden State (NJ), and from an AHJ who was an EC.

Pricing down here is a tough subject to discuss, and with the down economy, it's tougher. That said, perhaps one of our Canadian members can offer some input.

Or, you may consider dropping into the chat room & see if any of the 'northern' neighbors are in.

Take care & stay safe



John
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,158
Member
I dont bid new homes at all. I dont think it is even worth my time as I know I wont be the cheapest.

how about 90.00 per opening, recessed cans, heavy appliance circuits extra, telco/data extra ,3500 for the service, all home runs extra,, afci.gfci extra, try costing each room then add it all together.
I really dont know.
I never thought that an Electrical Contractor would be downgraded to a sub contractor as soon as he is the General contractors electrician.

tin bashers and rockers seem to be more respected

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 106
M
Member
Thanks guys for responding. Could you sence I was a little frustrated? Anyways I figured some people won't even quote houses but for me just starting out and trying to get my name out there, I need to start somewhere. I rather be doing commecial/industrial though since this is where all my experience has been. I have done commercial construction renovation, industrial construction/renovation, and currently work full time as an industrial electrician which involves me performing alot of PLC programming on various brands of PLC's. I started my side business to break the brian numbing cycle of the daily 4 walls of a plant and to keep sharp on the codes. The side job though has become like a child to me and I am wanting to see it grow into more than a side job. But for the time being I am a one man show doing small side jobs after hours and on weekends.
Oh and before someone complains, yes I have my ECRA Lic.# and insurance, and I am a master electrician. wink


Never trust an electrician with no eyebrows!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
No complaints from me! The term 'side jobs' may create a little 'heat' but now you explained the situation.

I have one question you may consider answering...
"Mr Electrician" is a franchise operation here in my area of the US, are you connected with them, or is that just a 'handle' for this forum?

Good luck to you in your endevor.



John
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 106
M
Member
Originally Posted by HotLine1
No complaints from me! The term 'side jobs' may create a little 'heat' but now you explained the situation.

I have one question you may consider answering...
"Mr Electrician" is a franchise operation here in my area of the US, are you connected with them, or is that just a 'handle' for this forum?

Good luck to you in your endevor.



No, mr_electrician is just mt handle for this forum.


Never trust an electrician with no eyebrows!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Thanks for the response. And make yourself "at home' here at ECN!!



John
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Hi there mr electrician,
I don't really think that pricing is any great secret these days.
But if you have a gander through the Business section here at ECN, I'd just about put money on you picking up a tip or two. wink

I'm also an industrial electrician, who specialises in factory re-wires and plant installs.
I also do Domestic and Commercial work, Data/Phone wiring and TV/Audio cabling.
I have just quoted a job for a new house with all the bells and whistles and I happened to pick the job up, which is good, because the 3rd year apprentice I have has never done any domestic wiring work.

Believe me, it isn't magic or anything silly like that to quoting out a full house wire, what I will usually do in the first instance, is get in contact with the people that will be living in the house, go over the plans and find out exactly where they want things put, believe me, there will be changes through the construction process, that is one thing that will be constant.

However, once you have a good idea of what needs to be installed, you can then work out things like the amount of cables you'll need, a bill of materials for all your switches,recepts, etc.
I always over-quote on the amount of cable for a job, it will get used, believe me.

I hope that this post is of some use to you.

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 444
S
Member
Pricing a house is no big secret. We charge anywhere from $1.80-$2.50 a ft for your typical builder house with a 100amp service. Pots, 200amp, sep lines and other stuff is extra.

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