topend
Member
- Location
- Parma, Ohio
Bidding has never been my stong suit, and I've been asked to bid a new home. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Rich
Thanks.
Rich
bidding new home
- Thread starter topend
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Spec or custom?
Be warned that there are many EC's who will do this kind of work for next to nothing these days simply to keep busy. The housing market is virtually dead in many parts of the country and as a result there is a glut of legitimate EC's, as well as the usual bottom feeders and laid off electricians aka side jobbers willing to do this kind of job.
Be warned that there are many EC's who will do this kind of work for next to nothing these days simply to keep busy. The housing market is virtually dead in many parts of the country and as a result there is a glut of legitimate EC's, as well as the usual bottom feeders and laid off electricians aka side jobbers willing to do this kind of job.
IMHO, you are going to have to spend some money to make some money.
At some point, you are going to have to hone your estimating skills - if not now, when?
Purchase a program that will fit your needs now w/o going overboard.
How much are you willing to spend?
How often do you think you will use it?
MRI
Member
My suggestion would be to make sure you get a complete set of drawings and read them closely. I am on the finishing touches of completing a custom home and there were steel beams in the way, solid wood beams I wasn't allowed to drill through....some times a light 10' from the switch would require an 80' switch leg due to the routing of the cable. Good luck....hope your winning bid is profitable......
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Ya.
But why are so many willing to work just to break even? I can not understand that.
Ya.
But why are so many willing to work just to break even? I can not understand that.
If you're going to go broke, why spend all day sweating your butt off, working in the heat, cold, wind, mud, mosquitoes, dealing with other trades, the GC, inspectors, etc.etc.
Why not be comfortable sitting at home watching Judge Judy and Oprah?
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Right, exactly. As an EC, if you're not "in it to win it" then why even bother. At least that's my philosophy. I would not even consider going into business for myself unless I would be making double or triple what I would make as an employee. It's simply not worth it otherwise. IMO of course.
I realize some people just enjoy being their own boss and working for a paycheck. That's perfectly fine by me...but I would never do it myself.
fisherelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Va
A lot of ECs are willing to work at breakeven rates right now just to keep their employees working. They are saving what they have just to be able to fight another day.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
$100,000.00
I have to agree with that, it's sad to see someone in business, reducing themself to the level of a street walker just to be around to suffer a little longer. If the slow down had some sign of recovery, then it might be worth fighting another day.
Any good sugestions on where start honing my skills. I see They sell a book here on estimating. I do not want to start off right away with a computer program. And does anybody know of classes you can take to help to learn to do estimating.
Thanks Dave
ItsHot
Senior Member
- Location
- A little piece of heaven!
better to be rested and broke, than tired and broke!!
tonyou812
Senior Member
- Location
- North New Jersey
This is the perfect formula to follow if you want to punch a clock all your life. Little resposibility and work untill your back goes out. Or take the plung and learn by trial and error. You can read all the books you want ask all the questions you want, in the end you gotta get your hands dirty and learn.
As far as bidding on a new house right now.... basically dont be a hero. Do it to code and leave it at that.
Oh and while Im at it, If that guy thinks your gonna start a new buisness and make a million bucks to start out hes smoking grass. But you have to start somewhere. And some guys want it more than others.
What classes are available depends on where you are .....
Midwest but would travel if they were 4-5 days in a row.
Well, yes, if it's a spec/tract home. Customs are a whole different ball game.
tonyou812
Senior Member
- Location
- North New Jersey
Ya.
But why are so many willing to work just to break even? I can not understand that.
So they can pay guys like you! why else?:-? How would you like it if your boss told you to go home because he wasnt going to hit a homerun on this one?
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