ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Money Talk!

I'm @ $30 per hr, which is about average here.

BTW-love biddin' on otta state second home owners, they never even blink at my $$$$


[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 01-15-2002).]

How in the world can you guys survive by charging just $25 to $35? What, working for cash?

Survive,barely..in Arkansas 5 years back the state grandfathered anyone that had any experience and made them a Master Electrician.I have seen guys with 1 year exp. get a master License(falsified applications) .Our contractor population doubled in my area and the quality has gone down the drain.The builders only care about the bottom dollar.to give you an idea an avg 2000 sq ft home is going for around 3300.00.That includes phones /tv 200 amp service ,cans are extra.Life is tough ,but the grass is always greener on the other side

Wow, I can't see how you can get through the dead times, or ride out the inevitable screw-ups, with such competetive figures. As to the quality of the electrical work, in what way do the inspectors overlook things? How do people get away with it? Or are we just talking about things being inadequate from the homeowner's point of view. Are we talking about burning the house down?

Sparky
You can always come to Ohio afterall we have the reciprocal aggreement with WVa. Seems like every other person I meet is from West '' ByGod'.

Bhester
I think Ohio is going the same way, because now they are grandfathering everybody whos done any electrical work at all. The range is from Plumbers to HVAC guys, the state is passing out state licenses to almost anyone who applies who can show they have experience in the field, ie been in business for the last 5 years and that is about it for the criteria. It is definitely going to flood an already shrinking market. The price you quoted 3300 for a 2000 Sq.Ft. house is horrible that cant possibly pay for material and labor so whats left over ?

You hope for alot of extras,ie recess cans,designated circuits and lots of phones /tvs.It's not easy but it beats working by the hour for someone else.

Virgil.
For Chrissakes count your blessings
This is an absolute mind-boggling, unending hell out here.
I'm not kidding (for once) at all...S

Electricmanscott, we're in the same line of work, so I like the fact that you use the roto-zip, I gave one to my carpenter son a few years ago, but never bought one for myself. I guess from the content of your e-mail that it really comes in handy for you. Yeah, cutting in lath and plaster is a pain. Can't wait to try a roto-zip on it...well, maybe I CAN wait
Now, do you bid on little one day jobs too?

Most of the little one day jobs are situations where the customer says just come and do it and send me a bill. (Repeat customers) I try not to do much in the way of bid work. Usually I will let them know about what it will cost and go from there. I have worked with a couple of contractors for a few years so they know my billing and they know I'm honest and not out to screw people. From what I am reading her it seems I am pretty spoiled and I really have it good! For a good licensed electrical contractor out there to have to battle to charge $25.00 an hour is terrible. This is a skilled occupation and you should be paid as such. Too bad this is not a perfect world. I guess the more you make the more you have to give to Uncle Sam anyway.

Thanks, Electricmanscott..well said!