just starting out

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

madmike440

Member
i just got my license last year,and its been kind of slow starting out.i was wondering how some of you got work when you started.did you advertisein the paper,ads in the phone book,or what.i know word of mouth is the best but you have to get out there first.thanks
 
Re: just starting out

Try a local or township newspaper. This worked for me. I now advertise in the phone book. The calls have even been more frequent. But then again, the cost for an ad is double.Sometimes I was frustrated the phone did not ring,sometimes it rings to often. Take the good with the bad.
 
Re: just starting out

Mike: Not sure about the type of work you do (commercial residential), but a friend of mine just starting out in residential went through new neighborhoods and dropped off flyers. Had more work than he could handle, did fans, basements, ect....... This should work in old neighborhoods.

Washington DC is growing so fast (second fastest in the country) there is always a new neighborhood somewhere.
 
Re: just starting out

What i did was go from GC TO GC in area i wanted work.Leave them with an introduction letter and a few cards.A few handed me some prints to bid.The one i almost didn't bother with because no one ever in office,turned out to be a house a week contractor.Many already have a EC that they are happy with.Your not getting in that door easy.They are somewhat scared of new guys.What if you do that rough and close up shop before they trim ?Takes time to find work and keep in mind some GC is always unhappy about the guy they been using.Might be over price ,speed,quality.Good luck.
 
Re: just starting out

Mike
If there is a contractors association in your area, join it. This will give you access to many contractors who sometimes will pass work on to you they may not be able to handle. The added benefit is you will be kept abreast of all the important concerns in your area as well.
Good Luck!!!

Pierre
 
Re: just starting out

Mike i just started about 1 year ago.Well first i told friends and family. gave them some business cards i printed up. Second i advertised in my local newspaper. never thought it would work but i got a call first day it was in. things progressed about three months in i advertised in another newspaper. so then i have 2 ads in twice as many calls.but i am paying approx 240 per month just in 2 papers. christmas was i lil slow. but now i got to much to handle and that can be a bad thing. start being late forget about people it becomes easier then it seems. now some people that first called are calling again too i already hired 2 people i mised the cut off for the phone book but i think that was a good thing. take it slow be professional it will work. but good luck with taxes i'm still tring to figure that one out.lol.good luck. oh and contractors can be good pushing some work off on ya just becarefull you don't get the shaft. just personal experence
 
Re: just starting out

I'd suggest going sub-S rather than sole proprietor. In the IRS's eyes this makes you a "corporation". There's a great deal of fraud in the sole proprietor category and it gets closer scrutiny than sub-S's.

There's usually more flexibility in paying yourself as a sub-S too. You can take a nominal W2 type "salary" then take the rest as a dividend (only taxed as capital gain and no FICA).
 
Re: just starting out

Mike starting a new busines is always a challenge and the contracing business can even be tougher. Most of us just bring the hand tools and our code knowledge but not much business sense. It has taken me awhile but I have developed lots of ways to make an Electrical contracting busines successful and I would be happy to share some of them with you. Feel free to contact me. I have helped many business that have been around for any length of time discover lots of profit opportunities they were over looking.
 
Re: just starting out

I started with ad in local paper in old hoods in new neighborhood didn.t get any calls. I've been doing service call for 3 months then a new home roughed last week and passed inspection today.HAAAY YIPPIE. but didn't make much 'cause GC set the price and being new i took it. now I'm to meet a GC tomorrow to bid on track homes of 1300 to 1700 Sqft. i am figuring @$3.00/sqft light fixture included or 2.50/sqft without the fixture.i really could use some help B4 getting screwed again.
appreciate alot in advance
 
Re: just starting out

Ace, I don't like the idea of "sq ft" bidding.

This is useful as far as "budget numbers" but can't be accurate as far as a locked in quote.

I had a call from a contractor last week that as you said earlier, wanted to tell me what he would give me per job. I told him to send me the drawings and I'd be happy to quote the work, that was the last I heard from him.

The bottom line is,

#1 You need the work.

#2 You HAVE to make a profit

#3 You want to supply the fixtures contrary to what others tell you. You will mark these up to a retail value. Bottom Line Here is, you will not survive with labor alone.

#4 PRICE each job separately! Do not get complacent and think you can "Square Footage" or "Unit" price the jobs.

Roger
 
Re: just starting out

No way you will win on square footage.I do it by openings,not perfect but safe.On square footage they will eat you alive on 3 ways and cans.
 
Re: just starting out

I don't know I guess it is all about what you are comfortable with.

The company I work for gets most of our jobs by the square ft. (sorry Roger) The company has been successfully doing this for more than 25 years. :)
 
Re: just starting out

You need to figure material and labor for each item type. Like $20per single pole switch $xx per duplex recept,price out dedicated items, service .
I use 1/4 hour per rough on recept or switch, light outlet.I use 5 min to trim switch or recept.Light fixtures can be tricky but 20 min to trim should average out.Material will be easy to figure,labor is local issue.Whatever you do don't take the job for a number your nervous at.Bottom line you need to make money and things seldom go easier than planned
Would use sq ft to double ck your bid,but that could be off 20% real easy.
How much per item depends mostly on your labor cost.

[ January 22, 2004, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: just starting out

does anyone know how to contact success4you . does he have a website or email address? thankyou
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top