Hourly rates

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electricmanscott

electricmanscott

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Location
Boston, MA
While sitting at a Ford dealership waiting for my truck to be inspected I overheard the service guy on the phone. He was explaining their labor rate.

It is $90.00 per hour.

I am not saying this is too much because I don't think it is. Today?s cars are very complex and the days of the local grease monkey (can you still say that) fixing the old Buick are long gone. Auto repair is certainly a skilled trade that requires proper training and experience.

What I am saying is that we don?t charge enough by comparison. I have been charging $89.00 - $92.00 when billing hourly work and I come to you. Imagine if the Ford guys actually had to go out on the road how much more they might charge? Yet they are never questioned, people just pay.

I make enough for me to survive, and make a pretty decent living.

There are legit guys, Craigslist excluded, who charge a lot less than I do and still they get by.

But who wants just ?get by?? And why would you want to be the low baller?

If any of you lowballers are reading this, rescpect the value that your trade brings. Don't sell yourself and us short.

I don?t really have a point?just making an observation.
 
electricmanscott said:
Yet they are never questioned, people just pay.
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The customers also pay high prices for the parts.

You do not see the dealership worried that the customer can get the same part at Carquest or Autozone, they charge high for the parts and get it.
 
True Bob.

I just had a remote car starter put in my wifes Explorer. I had it done at the dealer and paid way more than I had to. The reason was, It was a Ford product, it has a good warranty, I would end up with only one remote on the keychain, and I live next door so I could leave the truck and walk home.

I paid more for convienience and what I percieve to be a better installation. Was it really? I don't know but as long as I feel like it was, it is worth the extra money to me.

I'm sure there are more like me.
 
also, don't forget that they charge $90/hr and they calculate time based on their book, not actual time...and the book time is almost always longer than actual time...putting their actually $/hr at well over $100...for every hour of the day...almost no downtime...
 
emahler said:
also, don't forget that they charge $90/hr and they calculate time based on their book, not actual time...and the book time is almost always longer than actual time...putting their actually $/hr at well over $100...for every hour of the day...almost no downtime...
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That's very true. I have a cousin who's a mechanic, and he regularly puts in 11 or 12 hours of "work" in an 8-hour day.
 
mdshunk said:
That's very true. I have a cousin who's a mechanic, and he regularly puts in 11 or 12 hours of "work" in an 8-hour day.
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In the early 80's I was with a restaurant equipment repair co (thats how i broke in btw).

Service mechanics were expected to charge out AT LEAST 8 hours for every 8 hour work day through travel time plus a mileage fee plus a per job service charge for incidentals (we would be hero's by not nickel and diming them for 3 wirenuts).

IIRC we were getting $35/hr and 20 cents per mile plus a $3 svc chg.

10 to 12 hrs charged out per day was very common but it took good work on the part of the service writer and dispatcher to coordinate it.
 
EC, but I also install security products, $150 for a $20 motion detector. The home owners don,t blink an eye. But tell them you will install an outlet for $100,and they freak. ?????????
 
pgordon said:
EC, but I also install security products, $150 for a $20 motion detector. The home owners don,t blink an eye. But tell them you will install an outlet for $100,and they freak. ?????????
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I am laughing because a security guy just billed and account for a 45 minute emergency call $300, they paid and thank him all the way out the door, now if we hav charged $100 they would freak out, after all electricans have over the years trained the public, to preceive them as not worth much. When they get over the fears they have, and start to stand on their feet, and demand fair pay for their level of experience, then things may start to change.
 
The local Ford dealer... the only car dealership left of three previously in town recently went out of business.

Another observation.
 
satcom said:
I am laughing because a security guy just billed and account for a 45 minute emergency call $300, they paid and thank him all the way out the door, now if we hav charged $100 they would freak out, after all electricans have over the years trained the public, to preceive them as not worth much. When they get over the fears they have, and start to stand on their feet, and demand fair pay for their level of experience, then things may start to change.
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now that's just crazy talk....:D

i can do it for less;)
 
I do not have my own business yet but really want to, I'm taking all side work I can get. Just curious the rates your companies are charging an hour and also if you could help me out with a price list for basic stuff , like install ceiling fans, outlets, home runs, I know it depends a lot on circumstances of the job etc but anything would be appreciated, thanks. I want to make sure I'm right up there with the rest not low balling myself or anyone else. I'm located in MA
 
ddubbs103 said:
I do not have my own business yet but really want to, I'm taking all side work I can get. Just curious the rates your companies are charging an hour and also if you could help me out with a price list for basic stuff , like install ceiling fans, outlets, home runs, I know it depends a lot on circumstances of the job etc but anything would be appreciated, thanks. I want to make sure I'm right up there with the rest not low balling myself or anyone else. I'm located in MA
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You haven't been paying attention, now have you?
 
ddubbs103 , are you kidding ??? your in my back yard dude!!!
 
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ddubbs103 said:
I know stupid question probably figure I'd throw it out there
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Talk to your boss. Get more hours since you have time to work.
Show some initiative and he may actually give you a raise too.

If that really isn't an option then interview for new employers who CAN and WILL give you hours and pay (if you are worth giving them to).

This is NOT the best time to be starting a new company.
 
pgordon said:
ddubbs103 , are you kidding ??? your in my back yard dude!!!
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What???? Everyone complains because all we do is low ball each other, this guy wants to make sure he's not charging $50 for the same job everyone else is charging $100 for and you're giving him a hard time. Come on! This is the problem every one is always griping about, Electricians do not stick together to make an even playing field for everyone. We would rather just complain about the other guy not charging enough, under cutting the rest of us.
 
EBFD6 said:
What???? Everyone complains because all we do is low ball each other, this guy wants to make sure he's not charging $50 for the same job everyone else is charging $100 for and you're giving him a hard time. Come on! This is the problem every one is always griping about, Electricians do not stick together to make an even playing field for everyone. We would rather just complain about the other guy not charging enough, under cutting the rest of us.
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valid points...there are just issues with guys doing (illegal) side work...i don't have an answer...
 
BryanMD said:
Talk to your boss. Get more hours since you have time to work.
Show some initiative and he may actually give you a raise too.

If that really isn't an option then interview for new employers who CAN and WILL give you hours and pay (if you are worth giving them to).

This is NOT the best time to be starting a new company.
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I also do a lot of side work to supplement my income from my full time job, why would I want to work for my boss on overtime when I can make twice as much on a side job. I work 40 hours for my boss, get a guaranteed paycheck and benefits, and then make some real money nights and weekends for myself!

I do everything legit, I have liability ins., pull permits for everything, taxes, the whole nine yards!
 
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EBFD6 said:
I also do a lot of side work to supplement my income from my full time job, why would I want to work for my boss on overtime when I can make twice as much on a side job. I work 40 hours for my boss, get a guaranteed paycheck and benefits, and then make some real money nights and weekends for myself!

I do everything legit, I have liability ins., pull permits for everything, taxes, the whole nine yards!
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then go out and do it...stop half stepping...
 
emahler said:
then go out and do it...stop half stepping...
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He needs the security blanket of a study job, he knows once he leaves the job, that so called good money will not be so good, after all the real expenses are added.
 
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