Usually when we start talking about unions and union labor here in the forum the thread usually gets shut down. So, I'll offer my 2 cents worth while it lasts. This is just my opinion based on conversations with contractors in my association that are union contractors. You're going to lose money, material and tools up front until you learn how to bid the jobs properly and learn to deal with union labor and gain their respect. One contractor told me he buys a half dozen SDS hammer drills from Harbor Freight a month. It's a better choice to lose $65.00 on a cheap Chineese made drill than to lose $900.00 on a Hilti. We have some union contractors making a lot of $$, some that have both union and non-union shops and some that have lost too much money and will no longer hire union electricians.
A good place to start is to call the Local IBEW as you suggested and get an idea of their labor rates along with the work rules and regulations that they follow. If you know any union contractors maybe they can give you some insight into prevailing wage rules, etc.
Sorry, I wish I had more I could offer.
