the thing with standard pricing is it doesn't take into account the the talents and capabilities of the individual doing the work. a total hack can charge the standard price and the consumer has no idea what quality of work he will receive. all the trades follow this practice to the detriment of the finished product. why not bid according to your skill level, cost of materials and time involved?
a lawyer or dentist charges the prevailing rate for a procedure and the consumer bears the brunt of the hacks doing the work. i don't try to underbid another electrician and will walk away if the client suggests i do so. i have a general idea what the job will cost me in time and materials and bid accordingly. if we all use a standard price schedule what does the client use to decide who gets the work, our sparkling personality?
I think you are getting upset about something that doesn't exist and probably never will. There is no standard pricing. There is only the range of prices being charged in an area. That being said, if you have a good reputation (either through reviews and word-of-mouth or slick advertising), you can charge more and people will pay it. (Not everyone will pay more, but your call volume will be higher so you stay busy with high priced jobs.) Mr Sparky franchisees are the most expensive residential electricians I've ever seen yet they sell jobs everyday.
Joe Blow, who is just starting out, couldn't charge half as much even though he is a fantastic electrician. (If he wants to stay busy enough to eat.) On the other hand, a total hack can get lucky and sell a job at a premium price if he bids high and the two other electricians who bid, bid higher.
