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nizak

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What are some hourly rates (non unuion) for electrical work around the country? Where I live there are so many small one or two man companies that charge low rates it's hard to compete with them.
 
I stay away from any hourly rates... it has been significantly better to develop a flat rate pricing scheme. You take on more risk in the estimate, but your customer knows what to expect per service. If you factor your labor correctly, it will be covered into the price of the service. I prefer this method because it makes it difficult if not impossible for the customer to "rate" shop. They should be comparing the total cost of the job, not just an hourly rate.

- Greg
 
IN our area hourly rates union VS open shop are the same and insome cases higher for the open shops. Commercial hourly rates run $70.00-$110.00, depending on what you do...
 
electricmanscott said:
One man show in Central Mass and Boston Metrowest $92.00 per hour. No idea what everyone else is getting right now. Might be time to ask around.
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I know many would say "Wow...that's way to much to charge!" But actually I've crunched some numbers and for a one man show that's just about right in the range to make decent money and cover your costs.

Maybe it's time to raise your prices. :)
 
peter d said:
Maybe it's time to raise your prices. :)
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I'd love too but the way things are now I'd be spending even more time at home. Tight market, lot's of price shoppers. This is when your reputation and salesmanship are worth as much or more as your electrical knowledge.
 
peter d said:
I know many would say "Wow...that's way to much to charge!" But actually I've crunched some numbers and for a one man show that's just about right in the range to make decent money and cover your costs.

Maybe it's time to raise your prices. :)
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We have a large number of small EC's dropping out, because they can't pay their expensed overhead and employee costs, on $90 an hour rates.
 
There's a NY State Authority (created by an act of the Legislature) in northern upstate New York that has recently posted an electrician job requiring this employee to do hi-line work, and all the pumps, motors, controls, etc., etc., for a ski center as its' head electrician for $15.01 per hour and darned few benefits. I can't believe this position will fill, but there are several interested people. :smile:
 
State of VA advertised an opening for an electrician with the Dept of Transportation a few years back when scale was around $20.00.

Wanted electrician familiar with HV work, controls, relaying and cable testing, background in PLC's, with mechanical aptitude for work on highway lighting, controls, access gates, toll booths. PAY $14.50 and hour with state benefits.

Now they got one of two things incredibly lucky, because I know few guys or gals that can fill this list, or a liar.
 
satcom said:
We have a large number of small EC's dropping out, because they can't pay their expensed overhead and employee costs, on $90 an hour rates.
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But lets face it, you work in an expensive state to do business in.
 
Do not bet on it......There are many successful companies in the Washington area charging 70.00-90.00 and hour. I would not want to, but they decide what to do for themselves.
 
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I try not to bill by the hour. For some reason it doesn't matter if you tell a homeowner $75 an hour or $100 an hour, they think it is a fortune.
 
your right

your right

j_erickson said:
I try not to bill by the hour. For some reason it doesn't matter if you tell a homeowner $75 an hour or $100 an hour, they think it is a fortune.
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Your right! But then they will pay their lawn guy that for something that will need to be done again in 2 weeks. Or the lady will pay $100 for a bad haircut that will not matter in 2 weeks!
 
A recently laid-off electrician might only charge what he was being paid. In general though, I'd think the bottom is around $50/hour (and on their way out-of-business). The top is probably in the $300-350 range excluding someplace like NYC where you might have to park 4 blocks from your job.

Dave
 
mtnelectrical said:
well I believe it depends what state you work at. where are you from Rewire?
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I am in southwest missouri we serve a group of small towns doing mostly residential and light commercial we have many one man shops that charge as low as 30.00/hr on labor we have no license requirements and very few areas that require inspections so if you can buy the tools you can be an electrician. The cost of living is low and I love the area and after 30 years I like the pace.
 
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