"Dragging down"?

[ItsHot]

I keep reading the phrase "dragging down" our trade in many post here. What are some of your thoughts on this. Is it "how low will you go bidding" or what other reasons? Such as lowering standards in work peformed? Or mainly unqualified persons doing the work?

 

[mdshunk]

Some of everything. Normally, it's just a lamentation of a guy who knows how to operate a business when he observes someone who might be technically competent but lacks business skill.

 

[HaskinsElectric]

I think were going through very unusual times. In the past, the electrical contracting industry consisted of electrical contractors and their customers. Today however, electrical contractors (at least here in California) have to now compete for work with a new element of competition: The unlicensed contractor.

When I'm working on a kitchen remodel for example, it's not unusual that I find that I'm the only licensed contractor on the job. I believe our industry is being "dragged down" but I feel the reason is complex and multifaceted.

Here's a few of the possible causes:

Walmart has taught the public that the lowest price is all that matters.
TV shows have taught the public that even beautiful women can remodel a kitchen.
Home Depot allows the public to price electrical materials and reverse engineer our bids.
The government has stopped pursuing unlicensed contractors.
The current economy rewards the hacks and punishes the legitimate.
People are not interested in quality. Try to sell quality and watch the customer scowl.
The prestige of contractors is at an all time low.

I could think of more, and I know all these guys think I'm an alarmist, but I really things have gone downhill. In all human endeavours, things reach their zenith and then they inevitably slide downward towards chaos.

It's not just the electrical industry. Something is wrong with America.

 

[Teaspoon]

People today don't take pride in their work like they used to.
The unlicensed contracters are hurting the licensed contracter
Low balling and doing sub standard work.
also the jack of all trades people doing carpentry, plumbing,electrical.
I have saw some of these jobs that the electrical looked terriable.
Panels turned up-side down.wires lined up on 2X4 stud 3 or 4 side by side.
they probably don't know about the 1 1/4" rule

 

[MF Dagger]

I'd just like to point out that side work existed at least as far back as the sixties i'd imagine as far back as someone learned how to wire up a house and realized you can make a weeks pay in a decent weekend day. Also as far as hacks go I'm almost 100 percent positive those existed back then. Evidenced by the time honored fogey practice of pulling the wire slack back after wiring the switch so no one else would ever be able to pull the switch back out. I do however agree that there is a lot of hack bull crap around. I take pride in my work and I imagine most of us on this board do. To hell with those that don't. They've found a way to sleep at night somehow and I can make money fixing what they messed up.

 

[cadpoint]

I keep reading the phrase "dragging down" our trade .......

Well I do know what "Dragging Up Is"...

Truely isn't this as Dynamic as Life is, I don't think people are here to drag Us down, Might it be a dis-taste for things known and unsaid, well Yes it is!

 

[peter d]

I'd just like to point out that side work existed at least as far back as the sixties i'd imagine as far back as someone learned how to wire up a house and realized you can make a weeks pay in a decent weekend day. Also as far as hacks go I'm almost 100 percent positive those existed back then.

I was not alive in the 60's but and I agree with what you say, but back then there was no Lowes, Home Depot, internet, DIY shows on cable, craigs list, and everything else that had helped give the perception that residential electrical work is cheap, easy and everybody can do it.

 

[MF Dagger]

I wasn't alive in the sixties either. Not even the seventies. I just know my gramps used to provide material for his guys side jobs but he took the markup on it that way they wouldn't have to front a bunch of material.

 

[HaskinsElectric]

I wasn't alive in the sixties either. Not even the seventies.

You missed out on some good times.

I don't think the problem is unlicensed guys doing side jobs, I think the side jobs have become full time occupations.

 

[zappy]

thers needs to be more serious charges for working without a license

thers needs to be more serious charges for working without a license

and more stings to get these people.i doubt that will happen.

 

[yursparky]

Growing up in the trade in Oregon, I've seen a licensed electrician get fined for "advising" his neighbor on doing some electrical in his house, for not having the proper license to have a business and so not being able to pull permit - to even "advise" someone you need a permit. The neighbor when asked how he knew how to do what he did, stupidly said - this guy who is an electrician told me how. Of course, I believe we have one of the highest pay scales in the country, non-union I mean.