How business?

[hockeyoligist2]

Mine has been the same year after year. People still flush, even when the economy is down!

 

[mdshunk]

Mine has been the same year after year. People still flush, even when the economy is down!

You're a wastewater treatment plant electrician?

 

[peter d]

You're a wastewater treatment plant electrician?

Or he works in a toilet factory.

 

[hockeyoligist2]

You're a wastewater treatment plant electrician?

Yep, I'm a Hockeyoligist!

 

[resistance]

Bring Your Own Coffee Post# 10.

I would say "Duh", but that was a hard one.

 

[DAWGS]

I'm busier than a ************ Cant get enough people, for at least the next 3 months.

 

[Palmbay]

I can't figure out if my problem is the economy, 3 year old company, crappy electrical service, or all of the above.

I have joined some peer groups and small ad in phone book, and tried small papers. Doesnt bring in good qualified customers. Local builders association has not been very good either. I have been a member for the last 6 months.

I am not sure the right way to approch contractors, but it seems every bid I put out is awarded to someone who can do it for material costs.

Maybe I should start excluding things that are on the print to get my prices down and then CO once awarded the job. Is this how they do it?

I know how to wire stuff. Not how to get people to pay me to wire stuff.

 

[Rewire]

I can't figure out if my problem is the economy, 3 year old company, crappy electrical service, or all of the above.

I have joined some peer groups and small ad in phone book, and tried small papers. Doesnt bring in good qualified customers. Local builders association has not been very good either. I have been a member for the last 6 months.

I am not sure the right way to approch contractors, but it seems every bid I put out is awarded to someone who can do it for material costs.

Maybe I should start excluding things that are on the print to get my prices down and then CO once awarded the job. Is this how they do it?

I know how to wire stuff. Not how to get people to pay me to wire stuff.

Do you have a business plan? If not then you need to write one and follow it. You know the saying most businesses don't plan to fail they just fail to plan.

 

[Sparky555]

I'm looking everywhere for a soup line. Actually it's 5% over last year but seems 20% slower than last year. Less Gross Sales, but MUCH less materials.

 

[Palmbay]

I have writen and rewriten my business plan.

Its the Busness part I have trouble with.

I originally thought that referals and repeat customers would keep me busy. That is not the case now. I never expected to really have to chase work. I don't have the time to spend at all, bidding projects every day. I wear all hats, some better than others. When I started in 2005, I had a back log for 6 months all the way to about 07. Things got cought up and was still trickleing up till early 08. Just barely staying afloat now. I did have 4 men working for me, now its just me and my helper when I can find work. Its new customers I need, I am about to send something to old customers to maybe get some work or service, but the contractors are what I am haveing trouble nailing jobs with. I need to have a few good size projects going at any given time to be steady. I have not gotten any bid jobs from new contractors in over a year. My price is usually mid range to high. I do most of my work exceding the code and I think that might be part of my problem. I am one of the lowest service rate in the area though, and that doesn't even bring in the cheapo's. I also include complete proposals, I mean I make sure the system is a working system that I propose for the customers plans.

I have figured out the only office work I should be doing is writing checks and bidding work. When I do have enough work to warrent another employee it will be office help. I enjoy project management and trouble shooting, and basically all the feild work and customer interaction. I think they are my strong points.

I have gotten some education things compleated during the slow time, which is good. But steady cash flow is important, and not steady enough for me.

I have pulled some great information from this forum, and like the participation I see from all the people on here. I know things will turn around in about 18 months, but untill then, doom and gloom.

did I just type all that.... too much time on my hands....

 

[Mule]

Well this is our first year, and, what a year to pick to start out..:roll: But despite a dead telephone from Yellow Pages, and very few "new' customer calls, I am completely swamped with work from people I alread know. I am so busy, Im turning away work to other EC friends....right now I have a 10 week backlog... So its "Time to make Hay" as they say...This is VERY humbleing to say the least, and I am greatfull. In fact I thank God each day, its great....

 

[Greg Swartz]

Things are great!

Things are great!

Every single year, for me, has been more prosperous than the one before it. This year will be the best ever. I contribute it to a combination of marketing, doing stuff nobody else wants to do, and good salesmanship.

I can say the same. This year is significantly better than last year, which was better than the year before.

My commercial is planned out for the next 14 months.
The residential / service side is out for about 2 weeks. Which is not too bad.

It's getting ready to snow, and normally already has. So, the guys are enjoying the great weather.

I'm at the point that I don't want to hire anymore guys, but may need to do so.

Thank you GOD!

 

[GUNNING]

No pan handlers at the interstate anymore.

No pan handlers at the interstate anymore.

Ive discovered that no mater how bad things are everyone will say "OH MAN I am busier than a one handed paper hanger on fire!" or some such nonsense. In Florida its dead. Even the pan handlers are gone. Nobody at the interstate. Trucks on the interstate are very sparse. I cant wait to see what the national xmas numbers end up. My bet with the "credit crunch" this summer there will be no xmas rush which will spill over to next year. Oh boy, can't wait.

 

[Mule]

Ive discovered that no mater how bad things are everyone will say "OH MAN I am busier than a one handed paper hanger on fire!" or some such nonsense. In Florida its dead. Even the pan handlers are gone. Nobody at the interstate. Trucks on the interstate are very sparse. I cant wait to see what the national xmas numbers end up. My bet with the "credit crunch" this summer there will be no xmas rush which will spill over to next year. Oh boy, can't wait.

I dont doubt you a bit, This credit crunch crisis seems have its own areas to take its toll. Our area is predicted to effected later, but right now, seems to be doing good for the most part..... I hope your work turns around for you, and you make more money than that "One handed paper hanger" you spoke of. :smile: Watch your coins...... you'll make it....!!

 

[480sparky]

Ive discovered that no mater how bad things are everyone will say "OH MAN I am busier than a one handed paper hanger on fire!" or some such nonsense. In Florida its dead. Even the pan handlers are gone. Nobody at the interstate. Trucks on the interstate are very sparse. I cant wait to see what the national xmas numbers end up. My bet with the "credit crunch" this summer there will be no xmas rush which will spill over to next year. Oh boy, can't wait.

But there are some of us who are busy.

 

[tonyou812]

Ive discovered that no mater how bad things are everyone will say "OH MAN I am busier than a one handed paper hanger on fire!" or some such nonsense. In Florida its dead. Even the pan handlers are gone. Nobody at the interstate. Trucks on the interstate are very sparse. I cant wait to see what the national xmas numbers end up. My bet with the "credit crunch" this summer there will be no xmas rush which will spill over to next year. Oh boy, can't wait.

Florida popped its cherry long ago. You guys were building for the next 20 years all in five years for the "Mass pilgramage to Florida"
Me and my wife go down there every year for a couple of weeks. And weve been doing that for about the last 8 years or so and in that time we were amazed at how much building was going on, even in just the Venice, Englewood area. It was like you guys knew something that no body else knew. I would say to my wife,(Four years ago!) who the hell is going to move into all these condos,homes and apartments? And low and behold for the most part its all been a bust.
Unless your next to a big city I dont see how you can make ends meet down there. At least in the Resi/ Commercial ECs.
Im still fairly new to the game but I have plenty of work now and I am able to give my wife a check everyweek and keep putting money in my buisness. I really cant complain and as of late Ive been debating on hirring an apprentice.
The really ironic thing is that almost all of my work now is remodles and old work. People seem to be deciding to stay put and make some capital improvements.
Im not so sure your gonna see that in a state that boasts a high retirement population. Older folks arent really interested in spending money on improving their homes. But than again what do I know.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

As of the week before last, it has been a mixed bag around the area north of NYC.
The last month there have been considerable layoffs, without the opportunity for those people to find new work.
Last week was a bad week for people in the "trickle down" areas of business around the first wave of layoffs. There were 10s of thousands laid off.
So, I am waiting to see what time will tell. I supspect that after the new year things around here are going to be difficult at best.
One other item to note:
People who own larger homes, who usually have a very small percentage of foreclosures are growing in number substantially. In one town, a number of families have "abandoned" their $7-$10 million dollar homes...very unusual for our area.

 

[mdshunk]

The last month there have been considerable layoffs, without the opportunity for those people to find new work.

This is an excellent opportunity for a training provider to turn into a full-fledged electrician training school. Don't think for a second that I haven't thought about it. Hire a student recruiter, investigate what it takes for an unemployed or underemployed person to get retraining money and loans, and hang out a shingle. There's opportunity everywhere you look, even in the worst of times.

 

[peter d]

This is an excellent opportunity for a training provider to turn into a full-fledged electrician training school. Don't think for a second that I haven't thought about it.

"Come to the Shunk School Of Meggering. We serve Dr. Pepper and cake at the graduation ceremony."

 

[GUNNING]

Ebay?

Ebay?

Or an Ebay Business liquidating all those unwanted luxuries. Like slightly used lighting fixtures and light bulbs or Sod by the foot; or perhaps a pamphlet "How to Run a Successful EC Business!"