Tennessee Electricians

[jclogston]

Hey guys,
I don't post often but read often. I am a small contractor in New Hampshire with a crew of 5 total. I am fairly sick of snow and yes, snow. Thinking about a move to a warmer climate. The Knoxville area seems to interest my family and I and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the area and could give me honest feedback of the current electrical situation there. Here in mid-NH we are pretty busy and might have contracts to carry us through to the first of the year already. I have an employee interested in buying the business and not totally sure if we are ready to make the jump yet. I am a Master Electrician and have been an electrician since I was 19, I am 33 now and have been a Master for four years now. I am just looking to see if anyone knows the area. I have contacted some commercial/industrial companies but really prefer the one on one with the customers in residential and light commercial. Also the license laws are a little gray it seems. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[ishium 80439]

I know nothing about Tennessee but in this climate (economic not weather) I would not be so willing to abandon a company that has a 10 month backlog in search of greener pastures. Spring always comes after winter.

My .02

[Fulthrotl]

I know nothing about Tennessee but in this climate (economic not weather) I would not be so willing to abandon a company that has a 10 month backlog in search of greener pastures. Spring always comes after winter.

My .02

add my nickels worth to what he said. the horse we are all attempting to ride
this year, or maybe it's a mule:D, is attempting to cross a river that is cold,
deep, and wide.

now is not the time unsaddle your ass, unless yours is dead, and that doesn't
sound like the case.

you now have 7 cents worth of opinion. put it towards some warm socks and
mittens.

[C3PO]

I don't know for sure about the Knoxville area, but I am about 1-1.5 hours west of there. Around here it is slow but better then most places.

[peter d]

You'll be able to buy quite a bit or real estate in TN compared to NH, but wages are much lower and you will not be able to make what you can in NH. That much is guaranteed. I agree with the others - if you have that big of a backlog in this economy, stick it out and muddle through the winter. It will be over soon.

[augie47]

check your p.m.'s

[ItsHot]

If you make the move, promise not to tell everyone there..."how you did it up north"! Because I can assure you they don't care!!:D

[jclogston]

Well,
I didn't add up all of the change that people threw at me but it's got to be at least 43 cents! I know that things are slower in other areas but one thing that a lot of other parts of the country don't have is the whole cost of living thing, don't take offense anyone, but New England has some of the highest in the country, and I know other areas such as Cali., and New York/NJ are pretty high. also. I spoke to a company owner who moved from Vermont to Knoxville 14 years ago and was glad he made the move. We have many reasons to move, cold being one of them, but were just considering the area. As far as sharing the "How we do it up there", I have found that in other parts of the country as well. I was in Grand Forks, ND for 5 1/2 years and I can certainly attest to the fact that EVERY state has the best electricians. :wink:. Thanks.

[ishium 80439]

Don't get me wrong about moving in general. I usually would say absolutely go ahead and take the chance, you don't know if you don't try. In general I would rather regret trying and failing than failing to try. When I moved from CT (I know all about the New England winters and cost of living) there were plenty of people who wanted to rain negativity down on me and find anything they could to show me why I was making a mistake. I don't want to be that guy. Also ordinarily I would preach about how there is no "right" time to make a move like this, that you just have to jump. However I don't see these as ordinary times. If you are walking away from that much work just be sure of what you are getting in to.

Best of luck in your decision.

[Sparky555]

1. Let your interested employee run your business for a month.
2. Rent a house for a month, take the family, see if you like it in Tennessee.
3. Call a bunch of your future competitors about a project on the house you've rented.
4. See who shows up and what they charge.

You may find licensing requirements are easier. Enforcement of non-ECs lax, prices low, etc. You need to feed the family. Do you really want to start from scratch?

[ohm]

I know nothing about Tennessee but in this climate (economic not weather) I would not be so willing to abandon a company that has a 10 month backlog in search of greener pastures. Spring always comes after winter.

My .02

I was looking at Bledsoe County, TN until I found there had been no Building Permits pulled in 2007.

Just more change..good luck!

[peter d]

I know that things are slower in other areas but one thing that a lot of other parts of the country don't have is the whole cost of living thing, don't take offense anyone, but New England has some of the highest in the country, and I know other areas such as Cali., and New York/NJ are pretty high.

As a born and raised New Englander myself, I am well aware of this fact. But if you're considering moving, it's a tradeoff. In the south things are cheaper, but you will make less. In the north and the west, the exact opposite -more expensive, but higher wages. Some places, like California, are an anamoly. It's super expensive to live there, but wages don't match the cost of living.

[jclogston]

Thanks for the input. We are a prior military family, Air Force electrician for 9 years, so we have had our share of moving. Those are some good suggestions and I did think of keeping the business going with me still as the electrical P.M. from down there. I have three really qualified journeyman to run these two projects and I thought maybe I could fly up every couple of weeks and input as necessary. Thankfully, both of these projects are a specialty for two of my guys, one is a 1200 amp service upgrade from overhead to underground on a commercial warehouse and the other a renovation of a 30,000 square foot brick/block building from bottom to top. The will be more technical stuff on the service upgrade with the switchgear and all, plus picking up pieces from a prior contractor who thought an 18x18 JB can hold 6-4' conduits, you get my point, but once the renovation project started it would require a little less of my on-site time. Anyway, now you know my life story, and we still haven't totally decided. As with you ishium 80439, when I left my company to go on my own and finish college, I was told that I would be back, and I am not. You either jump, or you don't. Thanks guys.

[augie47]

I was looking at Bledsoe County, TN until I found there had been no Building Permits pulled in 2007.

Just more change..good luck!

Bledsoe County does not have a building inspection process. There are NEVER any building permits (and the structures show that).
There are electrical permits. I worked there a few years ago during the "busy season" and the averaged about 30 jobs per month countywide, and 50% of those were "homeowner" wired. Not exactly like catching fish in a bucket.

[ohm]

Bledsoe County does not have a building inspection process. There are NEVER any building permits (and the structures show that).
There are electrical permits. I worked there a few years ago during the "busy season" and the averaged about 30 jobs per month countywide, and 50% of those were "homeowner" wired. Not exactly like catching fish in a bucket.

Does Bledsoe or Rhea county have a restriction that does not allow stranded wire on switches or receptacles (#14 to #10 AWG)?

[augie47]

not "officially". TN State inspectors, however, strage ducks ( I R 1). very little "unified enforcement". It is not unknown, especially in the rural areas, for there to be inspector rules":)

[ohm]

not "officially". TN State inspectors, however, strage ducks ( I R 1). very little "unified enforcement". It is not unknown, especially in the rural areas, for there to be inspector rules":)

Not long ago an inspector made us remove stranded pigtails from our devices (which was legal) and install spade lugs (which is illegal).

Just wondering if they dance to a different drummer:roll:

[augie47]

each is equipped with his own drummer....
we meet...State tells what they want... meeting breaks up...insp does as he wants.

[C3PO]

not "officially". TN State inspectors, however, strage ducks ( I R 1). very little "unified enforcement". It is not unknown, especially in the rural areas, for there to be inspector rules":)

I have yet to hear of a TN inspector making up his own rules. Surely you jest. :D:D:D

[ohm]

each is equipped with his own drummer....
we meet...State tells what they want... meeting breaks up...insp does as he wants.

Wow! Is the whole State out of control?

[SEO]

If anybody quotes a job they better pray that they don't change inspectors in middle of the job.

[augie47]

The largsr muncipalities have there own inspection depatments... fairly uniform within each... some variances between muncipalities, some one Code cycle, some the other also. Rural areas, lots of good ole boys.

[ohm]

The largsr muncipalities have there own inspection depatments... fairly uniform within each... some variances between muncipalities, some one Code cycle, some the other also. Rural areas, lots of good ole boys.

What Code cycle dis-allowed stranded pigtails and allowed spade lugs on receptacles. Do the good ole boys have any of this stuff written down anywhere?

[augie47]

ohm, it's not as bad as it probably sounds. my input is tarnished today due to some of those inconsistancies..there are definitely some "unique interpretations" and a pre-job meeting with the inspector is not a bad idea.

[C3PO]

It really isn't that bad. (at least where I am at) I have only had a few major issues in the past 12 years or so. We all have our own little quirks, it is usually not a big deal.

[Fulthrotl]

Wow! Is the whole State out of control?

actually, it sounds like the opposite is the problem... the whole state is under
rigid control, from a passel of people.... :D

sounds a lot like everywhere else.... "what do you want to see, to sign this
puppy off?" and dealing with inspector quirks seems to be a lot of what we
have to deal with.

[jrannis]

Hey guys,
I don't post often but read often. I am a small contractor in New Hampshire with a crew of 5 total. I am fairly sick of snow and yes, snow. Thinking about a move to a warmer climate. The Knoxville area seems to interest my family and I and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the area and could give me honest feedback of the current electrical situation there. Here in mid-NH we are pretty busy and might have contracts to carry us through to the first of the year already. I have an employee interested in buying the business and not totally sure if we are ready to make the jump yet. I am a Master Electrician and have been an electrician since I was 19, I am 33 now and have been a Master for four years now. I am just looking to see if anyone knows the area. I have contacted some commercial/industrial companies but really prefer the one on one with the customers in residential and light commercial. Also the license laws are a little gray it seems. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

I think you are going to face an incredible culture shock. Quality of life is very different in the south compared to New England.
The only advantage you could have is that you have traveled in the military. Check out the Places Rated Almanac.

[C3PO]

I think you are going to face an incredible culture shock. Quality of life is very different in the south compared to New England.
The only advantage you could have is that you have traveled in the military. Check out the Places Rated Almanac.

Culture shock? Tennessee is not a third world country.

[jrannis]

Culture shock? Tennessee is not a third world country.

Not if you dont know the difference:D

[C3PO]

Not if you dont know the difference:D

I do wear shoes, well on Sundays anyway. :D

[Buck Parrish]

Hey guys,
I don't post often but read often. I am a small contractor in New Hampshire with a crew of 5 total. I am fairly sick of snow and yes, snow. Thinking about a move to a warmer climate. The Knoxville area seems to interest my family and I and I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the area and could give me honest feedback of the current electrical situation there. Here in mid-NH we are pretty busy and might have contracts to carry us through to the first of the year already. I have an employee interested in buying the business and not totally sure if we are ready to make the jump yet. I am a Master Electrician and have been an electrician since I was 19, I am 33 now and have been a Master for four years now. I am just looking to see if anyone knows the area. I have contacted some commercial/industrial companies but really prefer the one on one with the customers in residential and light commercial. Also the license laws are a little gray it seems. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.



You know Kentucky just had a major ice storm. Just one state a way.
And I know they need electricians.
Just my 2 cents

[Sparky555]

Culture shock? Tennessee is not a third world country.

I don't know about Tennessee, but I remember Arkansas having roadside dumps in places where there was a steep hill next to the road. I guess the locals would throw the trash out from their trucks.

Another fun one was how everything shut down for an inch of snow. At the time they only had road graders to plow.

There were also a lot of indoor "no spitting" signs.

A good line from Sweet Home Alabama was something like "You need a pasport to visit here".

[sparkyway]

Most of the "storm damage" work left is in the hands of the POCO's here in KY. Like anyplace in the US, there are pockets of homes and businesses still being built and remodeled. I really can't say we need more electricians right now. As far as moving to Knoxville and starting a contracting business...the trump card is the economy and right now a sure thing is worth a year or two more of watching the Knoxville situation...now you're up to a dollar two ninety-eight in opinions. Oh yeah, please don't tell Diane Sawyer that an electrician from Kentucky can actually read and write.

You know Kentucky just had a major ice storm. Just one state a way.
And I know they need electricians.
Just my 2 cents

[augie47]

............ Oh yeah, please don't tell Diane Sawyer that an electrician from Kentucky can actually read and write.
It may have been the big crayon that fooled her :D

[sparkyway]

Oh sure! Diane beats me so harshly and then its on to this forum for a few more jabs with the ole shank...well, at least this viscious assault had a colorful crayon in the mix...lol. I just might have to get a few of my "Deliverance" friends to help me defend this state! On the more serious side, I just heard a large local electrical company is closing its doors as overhead costs are just exceeding the current work availability... guess I'll be competing with those fellas for crumbs all the more.

It may have been the big crayon that fooled her :D