Wire Pro Residential

[JLR.JW]

Hi all, first post but I have been reading this forum for awhile. I've recentley started my own contracting company and have received a alot of imformation from this forum.
My question is has anyone on this forum used the Wire Pro Residential software for layouts or do you prefer "cad" software. They offer a 10 day trial and the price seems right but I would like to hear from this forum first. Thanks to all......

[brantmacga]

i use a sharpie and highlighters.

[480sparky]

My first reaction would be, why do you need software to layout a resi job?

[JLR.JW]

I was thinking it would be helpfull to be able to supply a print-layout to the customer. Alot of the jobs I do are additions and remodels and as far as bidding on the job it would give me an advantage???

[Mr.Sparkle]

I use graph paper and a scale ruler to draw the "real" layout for most small additions, as compu-techy as I am I think using software for small/med. residential stuff might be overkill. But because I spend too much time on the computer I will at least look into the software you posted. :grin:

[JLR.JW]

Thank you Mr. Sparkle..

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't get paid to draw the plans. I will work thru with the owner when it comes time to wire but I don't draw.

A plan with no electrical is a guesstimate job and that's all.

[Pierre C Belarge]

I don't get paid to draw the plans. I will work thru with the owner when it comes time to wire but I don't draw.

A plan with no electrical is a guesstimate job and that's all.


This is really the main reason most will not do what you have asked about.
You are new in business, and one of the items you will eventually learn is the "bottom line".

Without a good bottom line, you will find it difficult to stay in business. If you are looking for an 'edge' for your business to help you standout, I advise one of the easiest of solutions. Answer your phone in a timely fashion and provide good service...not as easy as one may think, but when it becomes a habit not so hard. That will give you a leg up on the average EC. In my area, that is one of the most common complaints from the EC's customers.


Good luck in your new venture!!!

[brian john]

don't get paid to draw the plans. I will work thru with the owner when it comes time to wire but I don't draw.

When plans are required the customer should pay for these, we exclude plans in all quotes, when the issue comes up and it does it is what we in the business call an EXTRA, whether we do the drawings or sub it out.

[quogueelectric]

My first reaction would be, why do you need software to layout a resi job? Because when you hand them a 10 page bid on a resi basement apt and it says 13,000$ It breaks down every rec switch hi hat smoke tstat plasma tv phone and makes it look like a lot more work on paper. I have had customers say WOW!! I am getting all this stuff?? I smile and say Yes you are. keep grinning..............

[Minuteman]

Hey thanks, I will check this out. However, the boom days of new resi are long gone.

[brantmacga]

Because when you hand them a 10 page bid on a resi basement apt and it says 13,000$ It breaks down every rec switch hi hat smoke tstat plasma tv phone and makes it look like a lot more work on paper. I have had customers say WOW!! I am getting all this stuff?? I smile and say Yes you are. keep grinning..............

Hmm. I think I like mark wahlberg's quote from "the departed" more:

homeowners "are like mushrooms. feed 'em (doo doo) and keep 'em in the dark."

[quogueelectric]

Hmm. I think I like mark wahlberg's quote from "the departed" more:

homeowners "are like mushrooms. feed 'em (doo doo) and keep 'em in the dark."
I showed the quote to my wife who said wow thats a lot of work!! I said yes it is!!

[ceb58]

Because when you hand them a 10 page bid on a resi basement apt and it says 13,000$ It breaks down every rec switch hi hat smoke tstat plasma tv phone and makes it look like a lot more work on paper. I have had customers say WOW!! I am getting all this stuff?? I smile and say Yes you are. keep grinning..............

And then what keeps them from taking your drawings and lay out to Joe Blow and ask what will you do this job for? While handing over your hard work to him to cut your throat in price.

[frizbeedog]

Hi all, first post but I have been reading this forum for awhile. I've recentley started my own contracting company and have received a alot of imformation from this forum.
My question is has anyone on this forum used the Wire Pro Residential software for layouts or do you prefer "cad" software. They offer a 10 day trial and the price seems right but I would like to hear from this forum first. Thanks to all......


If you wanna draw layouts, diagrams, whatever, try this. I played with it and it's pretty cool. It's a free trial.

Smart Draw (http://www.smartdraw.com/specials/smartdraw.asp?id=104607&gclid=CODJuaOpmpQCFSUqagodnl83tg)

Are you gonna charge for your time drawing plans, electrical diagrams?

I have wasted my time drawing out simple projects, making a nice presentation, only to have the customer go for the lower price from another contractor. Did they give a rip about my time and presentation? Not really. Did they use it to show the other contrator? Probably yes. Did I do a lot of work for nothing? Yup.

Just a thought.

[quogueelectric]

And then what keeps them from taking your drawings and lay out to Joe Blow and ask what will you do this job for? While handing over your hard work to him to cut your throat in price.
It looks very professional as opposed to joe blow scratching out a number on a napkin. It is theatrics but I was very surprised at how closely homeowners are impressed with that paper. It makes them feel they are getting a lot of stuff.

[ceb58]

It looks very professional as opposed to joe blow scratching out a number on a napkin. It is theatrics but I was very surprised at how closely homeowners are impressed with that paper. It makes them feel they are getting a lot of stuff.

If this system works for you then great. I would not spend a lot of time drawing layouts and coming up with detailed takeoffs to give the customer for an estimate. Only to have the customer use my hard, free work against me. Now if the customer hires you for the job it's a good idea to have detailed drawings and takeoffs to agree on scope of work to be done at contract signing time that way they know what you are doing for there money and they are not trying to slip things in on you for free.
I am not saying scratch something out on a napkin ether, give them a general overview of the job and a price with the clause that complete details and/or drawings will be provided upon acceptance of contract.

[JLR.JW]

Thanks for all the replies. If I do decide to go with the Wire Pro Residential software, I would not hand over a print/layout to a "potential" customer for FREE. I would definatley charge for a print/layout, since I invested in the software and put my time into designing their layout. I like the idea of handing the layout over after I have been given the job and the contract is signed but I'm not sure that will happen all the time. If after the "potential" customer has paid me for the layout and I don't get the job then I guess they can do what they want with it. Thats the name of the game!!!

[ptonsparky]

I would be interested in what you think of that program once you get it up and going. Just because I like some of their other products.

[Minuteman]

Thanks for all the replies. If I do decide to go with the Wire Pro Residential software, I would not hand over a print/layout to a "potential" customer for FREE. I would definatley charge for a print/layout, since I invested in the software and put my time into designing their layout. I like the idea of handing the layout over after I have been given the job and the contract is signed but I'm not sure that will happen all the time. If after the "potential" customer has paid me for the layout and I don't get the job then I guess they can do what they want with it. Thats the name of the game!!!
I think the software would be cool to have, but would not know exactly how I would incorporate it into the job. I could see where it would be beneficial to the customer to have an "as built" electrical print.

[masterinbama]

about the only new residential I do is large custom directly for the owner. Most of the time I will meet with them and explain that the way that works best for me is to price to code minimums but include all known equipment.
Then I give them a unit price for adds. I tell them we will set all boxes then schedule a meeting before any wire is pulled to discuss additional outlets cans etc. The home owners seem to have a better grasp of what they are looking at in the real world VS on paper

[SmithBuilt]

I do drawings on some jobs for customers. I include it in the price and make sure the customer knows that's included.

But the main reason I do a drawing is for my employees. I layout a job the way I want it wired. I layout each circuit, this eventually becomes as built drawings on commercial jobs.

This may sound harsh but I do it so my guys don't waste hours and hours thinking about the layout on a job. They know exactly what needs to be run on each circuit.

[brantmacga]

well i tried it. i don't like the controls for drawing. i've been using this program (http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/products/homedesignerpro/) for a year or so now. it wasn't designed for the electrician, but i can do basic layouts and nice designs.