electrical business

[iwire]

I agree, don't burn bridges. You will run into the same people in the trades again and again.

 

[sameguy]

Pair-o-dimes = what you have left after starting up.

 

[K8MHZ]

Here is my story, many have had the same experience.

Decades ago I started doing electrical work on vehicles. It started as doing service call work for a company that had a bunch of trucks and heavy equipment. I did some cold calling, dropped off cards at businesses that did work on vehicles and soon I had more work than I could handle.

I rented a stall in a garage in order to be able to hire help and supervise them. Over the years I moved to bigger buildings until I had multiple bays and office space.

I worked endlessly and took my work home with me when I wasn't working. Some weeks I worked 90 hours. I learned that being busy does not equate to making money, but not having work directly relates to losing money.

On weeks when bills were due, new equipment was needed and big ticket customers didn't show up to pay their bills, I worked those 90 hours for free in order to make sure my help got paid.

Then we went to Iraq for the first time and our local economy suffered a serious downturn. I lost the business. When I moved out of the building there were over half a dozen cars that got impounded. Cars that I had spent money and time repairing for customers that lost their income. They just abandoned them sticking me with the costs.

I used to joke that I spent twice as much time chasing money as I did earning it. Even people that paid did so late more often than not.

I found out that I loved troubleshooting but hated being a businessperson.

I was lucky enough to find a job at a Chrysler dealership, then got the opportunity to get into industrial maintenance. That led me to going into the electrical apprenticeship which was the best thing I ever did.

I would have never known how much of running a small business involved things I would come to hate unless I did it.

Given the choice of making 80k owning a business and 50k with bennys working a straight 40 as an electrician, I would unquestionably go for the latter.

Some people prefer making less working on their own just because they love the business part of doing business. I don't and never will.

You just may end up liking it, but statistically there is a 4 to 1 chance you won't.

Either way, good luck!

 

[LarryFine]

I found out that I loved troubleshooting but hated being a businessperson.

That's me! I wish someone would point and say "Wire that" and pay me what I'm worth.

I would have never known how much of running a small business involved things I would come to hate unless I did it.

I agree. I need a business-savvy partner who doesn't like wiring.

Given the choice of making 80k owning a business and 50k with bennys working a straight 40 as an electrician, I would unquestionably go for the latter.

If I could clear that, I'd be on it in a split second.

Some people prefer making less working on their own just because they love the business part of doing business. I don't and never will.

I don't love the business, but I do use the between-time.

I'd rather make 1K/wk in 10 hours than 40.

 

[Rewire]

Just because you love the smell of flowers doesnt mean you should become a gardner.
A gardner also loves the smell of manure.You have to enjoy the process.

 

[Ohmy]

I was taught safety,quality,profit. My original EC I worked for when I started, taught me the right way to do electrical work. I have repaired what the "other guy" has fixed. I am not a corner cutter and could be called a mild perfectionist. So with that said, I feel if you do the customers' job right, then they will call you back the next time. when they call you a 2nd time, they are on their way to being 'retained'.

Don't forget resetting GFI's for free....

 

[ptonsparky]

"...resetting GFI's for free.... "

If I can't talk them into doing themselves, it ain't free.

 

[nafis]

we all know that that most electricians are in the business for 1 of 2 reasons (maybe even both).

1) To aquire a masters license and open own business and/or
2) Get some type of license and work for an EC.

I want #1.

When I pass my Masters test, I am looking to open shop here in my small town. I will be serving my town and many local towns in what is called locally as the "Big Country".

My question to those who have thier own businesses is this:
What all do I need to do to when opening up my own shop?
I would like to know everything I can about what it takes to get started.
I know I need liabilty insurance,TECL #,tax #(?),bookeeper (lol),etc

Please help me with this.

To be Electrical cont. in TX

For more details click here

http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/eleclaw.htm#1305159

thanks

 

[Split Bolt]

Don't forget resetting GFI's for free....

I too will try to walk my clients through this on the phone before going out, but if I make a trip, I'll charge a service call.

 

[LarryFine]

Don't forget resetting GFI's for free....

"...resetting GFI's for free.... "

If I can't talk them into doing themselves, it ain't free.

I too will try to walk my clients through this on the phone before going out, but if I make a trip, I'll charge a service call.

Absolutely! I offer the free help, but it's their option, and their bill.

I've offered advice in stores, despite the nay-sayers here, and it's resulted in anything from instant work to a surprise call a year or more later.

It helps having a phone number one need not write down to remember.