ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Business Related Discussion service pricing

There are many cost calculators available online.The latest one I use is here just need to register to get access to it.

http://www.electricalflatrate.com/index.php/login-for-cost-calculator

Doug, that is good looking software for $90/mo. I like the idea of showing up at the house with the Ipad and a price.

This is a good topic .. Billing

I exclusively charge Time and Material, My time is based on a competitive rate which does compensate my necessary overhead which I keep to a minimal.

The customer deserves a fair price, I deserve to earn my cost for every hour worked on a job.

Keep in mind materials usually get marked up to offset the materials labor of pickup also I have a invoice charge regardless which covers tool and vehicle ware.

As I've heard from many successful Electrical Businesses
"you wont get rich in this business, but you will earn a good living"

I use to simply bid the jobs which still I give a range to the customer, although when all is done I bill them for actual time taken and supplies use.

all my stock is paid for by prior projects, I make sure what ever I've purchased becomes reimbursed upon billing, The normal markup is around 30% which covers my time designing and purchasing the supplies.

I do ok .. 3500.00 for a service upgrade is simply a rip off, unless its a 400A or so, or 3 phase. My range averages around 1600.00 to 2400.00 depending on the circuits involved and the bonding ease.

I believe in long term clients not the get in, get out concept.

What's up
Schenimann,

Yea, I got caught in that hole too. Back when I ran ad's
in the news paper. I could only run the ad every 4 months.
I'd get so swamp with small service calls. from retired
people, Dr.s, Lawyers, small business owners, people who
own multi-plexs all over the city. Now, each county has its
own sign-up fee's if you have to pull permitts. But, to
make a long story short...I could not keep it up!

You know I've thought about it much these pass years, and
a couple of the guy's I pass the test with. One has his
vans and trucks, using his brother-in-law and sometime he get a younger family member to help do mainly commercial service resturants strip mall, like that.
He handle the books him self and been working steady since 98'
Now, the other guy, has an office mom and wife working it. Has a crew of 7 guys pays near to union wages, got
backhole, cherry picker, service trucks and vans,
fully stocked. He doe's government and commercial jobs.

Neither advertise!

Man, you just need a fully stocked office and at lease
three vans running just to change light bulb or replace
swithches and receptecles, let alone add-ons and 200amp
service installations.

tell me what you think!