new licenced nj electrician

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cooper Electrical

Member
Location
NJ
Hello all , I have been reading everyones post for awhile and i'm glad to be around of such knowlageable people. Just alittle about myself, i just got my licence,getting truck lettered this week, got business cards,insurance and everything. just cant wait to start working . So if any of you seasoned guys could tell me about the pitfalls or thing i should look out for I'd really apprecate it.

Thanks again,

ed
 
Cooper Electrical said:
Hello all , I have been reading everyones post for awhile and i'm glad to be around of such knowlageable people. Just alittle about myself, i just got my licence,getting truck lettered this week, got business cards,insurance and everything. just cant wait to start working .
Click to expand...

Congrats and good luck!


Cooper Electrical said:
So if any of you seasoned guys could tell me about the pitfalls or thing i should look out for I'd really apprecate it.
Click to expand...

Read.
Read.
Read.

Do NOT be afraid to voice your questions/opinions here ...even a "wrong" answer helps.
 
What is this license you speak of?

JK welcome to the site. I know this site has help me lots. I am sure you know to click on the search tab to bring up past posts on a question.
 
emahler said:
never trust anyone with a pocket protector:D
Click to expand...
I think it might have been this photo
Nerdman.gif
 
:mad: I thought I got all the copies from the myspace acount


BTW....Cooper ~ obviously we ain't all business :)
 
Did you buy plenty of peanut butter!

A lot will depend on what area you will be working, Most of the manufacturing has left NJ in past 10 years, so that leaves commercial, and residential, markets, did you work up a business plan? Did you check the area you intend to operate to see if there was a need for additional contractors? Do you have at least 6 months of salary put aside, for down times? Do you have a marketing plan in place, that will bring in new accounts? (Advertising budget)

There is so much more to consider, when it comes to the business side, the electrical may be 30% of the work and the business end may be 70%.

Getting your electrical license is like your buying first boat, an exciting day, the next exciting day is when you sell that boat.
 
celtic said:
:mad: I thought I got all the copies from the myspace acount
Click to expand...
LOL good stuff
In the first few years of business you will learn plenty. I emphasize the importance of accounting, estimated taxes, keeping in mind small business tax while bidding a job etc. you came to the right place for knowledge, guys here have a lot of it and are great with sharing. Good luck
 
Oakey said:
LOL good stuff
In the first few years of business you will learn plenty. I emphasize the importance of accounting, estimated taxes, keeping in mind small business tax while bidding a job etc. you came to the right place for knowledge, guys here have a lot of it and are great with sharing. Good luck
Click to expand...

Good advice,

Some of us had real rough starts, we did not have the internet to go to, and other contractors did not want to share information.
 
new licenced N.J. electrician

new licenced N.J. electrician

satcom said:
Good advice,

Some of us had real rough starts, we did not have the internet to go to, and other contractors did not want to share information.
Click to expand...

Good Luck, I can picture you in your truck, with the engine idling, patiently waiting for the work day to start. Then pulling out of your driveway with a big smile on your face going down the road with your company name on your truck standing out like a billboard, then going to the door on your first job dressed neatly with your pocket organizer full of pens and pencil's. Just kidding so welcome to the forum and congratulations on passing your test. I agree with Satcom and my best advice is always treat your customers like you want to be treated, always do neat work, and most of all communicate with your customers and call if your going to be late. Also don't spend allot on advertising. Your best advertising is word of mouth which takes awhile but your customers you build up will stay with you. I remember when I first started, I had a job downtown and I wore my tool belt down the street to lunch break. Everyone made fun of me about my new tool belt so when I got home I rubbed it into gravel and dirt to make it look seasoned. Welcome again to the forum and hope I helped and made you smile a little. Semper Fi.
 
new licenced N.J.electician

new licenced N.J.electician

Forgot to tell you how it was thirty years ago. Every time you went to the supply house they would give out little gifts. Pocket protectors, work pencils, pens, small pocket knives, cloth nail aprons and in some cases tools. Again good LUCK and have a GREAT day. Semper Fi
 
if, like most new businesses, you are going to be doing residential service work.....do yourself a great favor and get a free subscription to Plumbing and Mechanical magazine...www.pmmag.com

read the columns...it will save you years of trying to pull change out of the couch to by ramen noodles for dinner...

doing the electrical work just became the easy part...getting someone to pay you enough money to do the electrical work, just became your biggest worry.
 
Grow slowly. Pay cash if at all possible. Plan for the slow times. Many people are not successful because they try to grow to fast. Remember to put money aside to pay taxes and insurance. When I was in business I am convinced that the only ones who profited were the tax man and my insurance agent. Be very slow to hire employees. It is very different when you have not only yourself and your family counting on you, but your employees and their families.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top