Old Work Estimate

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Not everyone's father or uncle had an electrical contracting business and was BORN into the business.
You have to start somewhere and that is what I am trying to do and will do.
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I hear you Rad... while these guys argue over whatever I will say that I am doing the same thing as you. I got my license first. I did some side jobs while sticking with my boss on a decent size job that kept us busy for 6-8 more months. When we finished that job (with MUCH frustration and bad feelings that have now been put behind us) I went out on my own.

I purchased liability insurance. It cost me $745 a year for a million bucks coverage. In Massachusetts it is insurance that is required to pull a permit. I've pulled permits in Hull, Hingham, Rockland, Braintree, Hanover, Needham, Newton, Boston to name a few and it is hit or miss whether they ask for proof of the insurance.

Now I am trying to get my business permit but I still rent an apartment. The wire inspector in my town says I need to get written permission from the owner of my building to run a business out of the building. I'm sure I can't get that. Another guy told me to ask for a permit for banking purposes only which I may try but I'd rather get myself a piece of property with my slowly-improving credit.

I have been told by many people that I am not charging enough but I can't afford to lose out (which I have STILL lost out even with my low price). So as of now I have different tiers of customers. I have some goofball contractors that I basically have to insist that I will be doing the work "my way" or I won't do it. Some of those guys have even gotten me MORE money than I was even looking for.

I have other customers who make plenty of money have very nice homes that don't mind paying be good sums of money to treat their house like my baby. Unfortunately there are only a few of them, but I'm adding to that all the time.

I guess my point is that you should consider EVERY single one of these posts, even the conflicting ones because everybody here is "right" to a certain degree. It's been a struggle for me, but part of that is because I don't like being a slave and since I don't have a wife or kids, I don't really stress over money.

At any rate good luck, there's enough work out there for everyone and the crooks will get their due.

Jay

P.S. I've gotten a few quick jobs from Craig's list, but I would never use that as your sole advertisement means. It is free.

www.servicemagic.com I've heard some good things about but I haven't tried them.

Stay away from the Yellow Pages until you are ready to dive head long into business and can afford the high prices.
 
macmikeman said:
Congradulations on not having any overhead, I sure do miss those days.:D
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Ahh yes, elementary school, I remember those days fondly. The only thing to worry about was homework, who could run the fastest, and not getting cuties!!

congrats I think on reaching a M posts
 
jaylectricity said:
I purchased liability insurance. It cost me $745 a year for a million bucks coverage. In Massachusetts it is insurance that is required to pull a permit. I've pulled permits in Hull, Hingham, Rockland, Braintree, Hanover, Needham, Newton, Boston to name a few and it is hit or miss whether they ask for proof of the insurance.
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Every city/town(In MA) is supposed to require proof of Liability AND Workman's Comp insurance before issuing a permit these days. You don't need WC if you are the only employee of course. Hopefully all the cities and towns will actively enforce these laws. It will only help to weed out the guys without the proper paperwork.


Tom
 
:D I dont know where you are at, but doing buisness without a licence or ins or a bond is bad buisness. Also your prices are extremly low. But they are that way because you have no LIC BOND OR INS , these are very important items.
I charge 75 bucks a man hour plus 35% mark up on material for little stuff like that, cover your own butt my friend or you will get burned out there. :cool: :cool:
 
License

License

I do not know where anyone got the idea I was not state licensed. I just do not have insurance or a business license at this time. I am trying to determine what I need to increase my rates to for this area (Charleston, SC.) I do have plans to get insurance and a business license as soon as I pick up some steady business.
I am just starting out and doing this part time now until and if I can get steady business.
 
Overhead?

Overhead?

Why worry about overhead? First you have to decide if you are going to be professional or another rusty pickup moon-lighting electrician. Are you going to do good work and charge appropriately or be a hit and run electrician. People die from improper electrical repairs and installations. It's unfortunate if the HO is old but an illegal repair could change the HO from old to dead. If you want to build your business on being cheap then how will you grow your business when you do start accounting for your overhead. Firstly, if you don't have a state license, you will be reported and may not be able to pull a permit with a specialty registration. More importantly the NEC is not to hassle the electricians but for the safety of the homeowner. FPE Stablok panels are inherently unsafe and recalled in NY. We will not even take the cover off a Stab-Lok panel. We condemn it on the spot and will do no work unless it is changed.
Van
 
Davis9 said:
Every city/town(In MA) is supposed to require proof of Liability AND Workman's Comp insurance before issuing a permit these days. You don't need WC if you are the only employee of course. Hopefully all the cities and towns will actively enforce these laws. It will only help to weed out the guys without the proper paperwork.


Tom
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"You don't need WC if you are the only employee of course."

You may not be required by law to have it, however many savy homeowners will not let you come on their property without it, and almost all commercial a industrial accounts worth working for will require it.
 
rapid repairs said:
Why worry about overhead? First you have to decide if you are going to be professional or another rusty pickup moon-lighting electrician. Are you going to do good work and charge appropriately or be a hit and run electrician. People die from improper electrical repairs and installations. It's unfortunate if the HO is old but an illegal repair could change the HO from old to dead. If you want to build your business on being cheap then how will you grow your business when you do start accounting for your overhead. Firstly, if you don't have a state license, you will be reported and may not be able to pull a permit with a specialty registration. More importantly the NEC is not to hassle the electricians but for the safety of the homeowner. FPE Stablok panels are inherently unsafe and recalled in NY. We will not even take the cover off a Stab-Lok panel. We condemn it on the spot and will do no work unless it is changed.
Van
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Van,
First of all I would like to restate her that I am state licensed and proud to say I passed on my first try. Second I care very much about the quality of my work. My nose is in the code book frequently. Also I did call the home owner and tell her I would not touch the panel but would replace it. I also did not get the job. I assume one of the wreckless unlicensed moonlighters did or Pedro and the South of the border boys. No sweat off my back.
 
This Problem Exists.

This Problem Exists.

I Know Your Ambitious, I Know Your Willing, I Know You Wanna Make Money, At What Cost Are You Willing To Bid These Projects And Jobs Not Being Licensed, Bonded And Insured To Do All This.
I Completely Understand Where You Coming From I Been There, But Understand This, If You Dont Do It By The Book It Will Come Back To Haunt You No Matter How Good Or Affordable You Think You Are. Either You Might Have A Issue Or The Government Will ,on The Way Your Conducting Your So Called Business. I Realize As You Start Out Things Might Be Slow Or Tough To Obtain What Is Needed To Strive In This Occupation, But Grant This And Hold It True, If You Wanna Put Your Shingle Out There With The Rest Of Us Be Willing To Accept The Consequenses.do It Right.if Something Ever Happens To A Job You Have Done ,it Will Be More Costly Than What You Feel It Costs To Have Done It Right In The First Place.here's The Bottom Line: If You Do Electrical Work With Out Insurance , Permits, Licensing,without Being The Homeowner Of The Job Your Doing , If Something Happens Your Not Gonna Be There Favorite Person . They Will Come After You Full Tilt And If Your Not Covered Your Gonna Be In The Pokey.this Is What I Been Talking About In Another Post About Guys Working Out Of Their Trunks On The Side Competing With The Rest Of Us. We Are Higher Priced Due To Our Overhead, But Are Willing To Stand Fully Behind Our Work.i Don't Want To Bash You On Your Moneymaking Efforts But Please, At Least Do It Right.you Will Thank All Of Us Contractors In The Long Run With Our Advice.i Hope I Didn't Push The Wind From Your Sails And Hope You Will Do The Right Thing.i Wish You Luck On Your Future Electrical Endevours And Hope It All Turns Out Ok.and As For Your Estimate: I Would Have Normally Charged Double Than You Stated. Federal Pacific Has Been Outlawed In Many States Due To There Non Tripping Capabilities. Most Homes With Them Now Here Must Be Upgraded To Another Brand. I Do Carry Replacements For Those Who Wish To Keep Them, But In The Long Run Someone Is Gonna Tell Them Replace The Panelboard, Do Them A Favor, Replace It.if You Spend 20 Bucks For A Breaker, Spend 80 More And Get A Better Panel. I've Dealt With The Elderly Also And Gave Them A Payment Plan They Can Deal With, Something Else A Licensed Contractor Can Afford To Do.on My Last Note,advertising Is Better Left To Word Of Mouth For You Now, If Your Prices Are Reasonable, And Your Work Is Good, People Will Talk, It Kept Me In Business My First Ten Years B4 Advertising.i Do It Now Just To Get More Variety.
Happy Easter
 
satcom said:
"You don't need WC if you are the only employee of course."

You may not be required by law to have it, however many savy homeowners will not let you come on their property without it, and almost all commercial a industrial accounts worth working for will require it.
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Not that I don't agree with you but, How can someone who is not an Employee get WC? I think here in MA unless you are an Employee you can't get it.:-?


Tom

:-?
 
Electrical Work

Electrical Work

No, I Agreed With You. Electrical Work Is Not Difficult Or Are We To To Negative To See Its Outcome., I Think Not In This Case. I Only Was Trying To Make A Statement Against Someone Who I Might Bid Against In The Future With No Proper Liabilities Under His Belt. All Puns Intended I Meant No Harm. Just Some Past Experiances To Guide Him.
All Have A Great Holiday
 
RUWIREDRITE said:
I Know Your Ambitious, I Know Your Willing, I Know You Wanna Make Money, At What Cost Are You Willing To Bid These Projects And Jobs Not Being Licensed, Bonded And Insured To Do All This.
I Completely Understand Where You Coming From I Been There, But Understand This, If You Dont Do It By The Book It Will Come Back To Haunt You No Matter How Good Or Affordable You Think You Are. Either You Might Have A Issue Or The Government Will ,on The Way Your Conducting Your So Called Business. I Realize As You Start Out Things Might Be Slow Or Tough To Obtain What Is Needed To Strive In This Occupation, But Grant This And Hold It True, If You Wanna Put Your Shingle Out There With The Rest Of Us Be Willing To Accept The Consequenses.do It Right.if Something Ever Happens To A Job You Have Done ,it Will Be More Costly Than What You Feel It Costs To Have Done It Right In The First Place.here's The Bottom Line: If You Do Electrical Work With Out Insurance , Permits, Licensing,without Being The Homeowner Of The Job Your Doing , If Something Happens Your Not Gonna Be There Favorite Person . They Will Come After You Full Tilt And If Your Not Covered Your Gonna Be In The Pokey.this Is What I Been Talking About In Another Post About Guys Working Out Of Their Trunks On The Side Competing With The Rest Of Us. We Are Higher Priced Due To Our Overhead, But Are Willing To Stand Fully Behind Our Work.i Don't Want To Bash You On Your Moneymaking Efforts But Please, At Least Do It Right.you Will Thank All Of Us Contractors In The Long Run With Our Advice.i Hope I Didn't Push The Wind From Your Sails And Hope You Will Do The Right Thing.i Wish You Luck On Your Future Electrical Endevours And Hope It All Turns Out Ok.and As For Your Estimate: I Would Have Normally Charged Double Than You Stated. Federal Pacific Has Been Outlawed In Many States Due To There Non Tripping Capabilities. Most Homes With Them Now Here Must Be Upgraded To Another Brand. I Do Carry Replacements For Those Who Wish To Keep Them, But In The Long Run Someone Is Gonna Tell Them Replace The Panelboard, Do Them A Favor, Replace It.if You Spend 20 Bucks For A Breaker, Spend 80 More And Get A Better Panel. I've Dealt With The Elderly Also And Gave Them A Payment Plan They Can Deal With, Something Else A Licensed Contractor Can Afford To Do.on My Last Note,advertising Is Better Left To Word Of Mouth For You Now, If Your Prices Are Reasonable, And Your Work Is Good, People Will Talk, It Kept Me In Business My First Ten Years B4 Advertising.i Do It Now Just To Get More Variety.
Happy Easter
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I nominate this post for the Hardest Post to Read Award. All caps and no spacing or paragraphs. :rolleyes:
 
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