Questions for EC Owners only

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Questions for EC Owners only

  • I am a one man shop

    Votes: 22 52.4%

  • I have a helper only

    Votes: 7 16.7%

  • I have 2 crews

    Votes: 7 16.7%

  • I have more than 6 people depending on me to pay their bills.

    Votes: 6 14.3%
  • Total voters
    42
  • Poll closed .
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I picked 2 crews. I am 'the' master electrician, my 'better third' is my helper (best I've ever had ((even when she isn't reading my posts)), her daughter is our office staff, and we employ a journeyman and his helper. We're looking to add another pair soon.
 
I have a helper who, when he isn't in jail, is actually a good kid. I wish I could find someone who I can hire and give him/her my helper so they can do the construction part and I can take care of the service work. Trouble is, they all want top dollar and don't know $#@*. But I guess that I am going to have to screen and trust someone eventually... I may not be as old as some (43) but I have a lot of miles on these bones thanks to the Corps.
 
I have a masters in MT.Have one jouneyman and one apprentice.Just put two of my old crew (carpenters) back on the payroll.Said I would build one more house,and see how it go's.Going well so far,but it early.Wife is secretary(BOSS),oldest son is bookkeeper.Been a EC alittle over two years.
 
I have (1) Helper working with me in the field doing lighting and electrical, My Mom is in the office, We manufacture energy saving area,flood and ground fixtures and my brother does the manufacturing and shipping of energy saving pool and spa lights
 
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I Have One Journyman Working For Me (my Son) My Father In Law Is Also An Electrician And My Other Son Works For Him So We Can Expand And Contract As Needed Depending On Job Size.
 
I have wife as secratary/book-keeper, son as journeyman/know-it-all, 2 other jmen, 2 trainee/helpers and am bringing on a 6th man w/3yrs exp. tomorrow. 5-6 field workers + me & wife seems to work quite well. I do all estimating, go-ferring, purchasing and a lot of service calls & PR stuff. I am getting tired though and would love for my son to take it over in a few years. He is a 40hour guy though and I don't see him doing it the way I do; he would most likely shrink it down to him and a helper (which is ok w/me).
 
jeff43222 said:
I'm the owner, master, bookkeeper, marketing manager, estimator, scheduler, chief of purchasing, artistic director ...
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That pretty much describes me too. I use temp help for the more labor intensive stuff (like pulling type W cable on docks).

But this is all changing for me now. I'm starting a 1-year trial merger with a dock installer. They (the two owners of the dock installation company) say they would like to see me in the office and they will take care of all the work (including electrical and fuel piping) in the field with my supervision. Could be good, could be not for me. I figure it's worth a year trial period.
 
Which business?

I have 2 now. Putting the finishing touches on forming a joint venture with a A/E company.

My golf game is really going to suffer now.

On the EC side, it's just me. I use other EC's as needed, and sub outs, and use other guys in the trade when I need help.
 
Depends on the day. Guys seem to disapear on occation. 4 mechanics, 2 helpers, myself, mom part time in the office when she is in town. Looking at using an estimating service and adding someone else in the office. Could really use another crew at the moment.
 
4 Journeymen plus myself working in the field with 3 apprentices. My father kicks in a few hours a day (he's semi retired - he started the business). My wife and I split the office work. Basically I do all invoices and estimates, she does everything else. We usually split into 4 crews, but sometimes will double up.

I'm busy enough to use another crew, but I'm not sure I don't want the extra aggravation. It took me a while to find the right guys, and what I have now is perfect for me. Everyone gets along great, works hard, and are competent and honest.
 
Just like my signature.

I'm the journeyman, I've got a great 2nd year apprentice, and an 18 year-old daughter that works when I need her (she's going to paramedic school). We all keep real busy, but I also do plumbing (20% of the business)

What I need is a bookkeeper! The employee taxes, workmen's comp, and insurance paper work is killing me.
 
Dnkldorf said:
Which business?

I have 2 now. Putting the finishing touches on forming a joint venture with a A/E company.

My golf game is really going to suffer now.

On the EC side, it's just me. I use other EC's as needed, and sub outs, and use other guys in the trade when I need help.
Click to expand...

Hey Dink, is that an "Arts and Entertainment" company or an "Achitec and Engineering" ?
 
I have myself as owner, estimater, project manager, purchasing, and toilet cleaner, wife does books except for payroll, we have payroll company for tax purposes and it saves about 3-5% per year on workers comp. Currently have 3 journeyman, 1 part time journeyman, 1 mechanic, 1 apprentice, 1 part time apprentice (when he feels like showing up) and 2 mechanics that will be looking for work soon! Any more than that is too much to handle.



Remember oppurtunity usually wears overalls and involves a lot of hard work.
 
Dnkldorf said:
Mac, Architect and engineering.

Going after deisign and build set-asides.
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Way to go Dnk .... good luck. On the other hand, as far as Arts and Entertainment goes, a guy I used to work with started up a film production company with his wife. They now have a hit tv show on Kids Discovery channel about some castaway kids on an island. Major money.
 
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