Realtors or homeowners asking for free work

[flyboy]

Here's a great New Year's resolution for all of you EC's...

In 2011, keep track of all time involved with giving estimates, advice, consulting, or hand-holding that you are currently doing for free, and see exactly how much $$ you are screwing yourselves out of over a year's time...

That's a good idea!

Of course if an EC knew what his/her billable efficiency was; and knew how to calculate their billable hour based on their breakeven; and knew what percentage of profit they should be applying for the risk of, and reason for, being in business, then it would be a moot point.

Hmmm, maybe that should be the New Year's resolution?

 

[macmikeman]

I too am now charging a $150 service call for the written quote on these jobs. I got stung twice (I'm a little slow or perhaps too trusting), but not again.

Too cheap. If I can get over $250 and I do, you can too. Just tell em flat out that is what the cost for the service is.

 

[tshea]

We charge $150 for the certificaton, then include a "free" estimate with the certification.
Realtors "use" the EC as a bargaining tool only! They get theirs at closing based on selling price of house. They don't really care about us.
I once had arealtor try to tell me the home inspector was right and I was wrong about a 2p20Amp breaker feeding an A/C which had #14 wire!
The RE kept insisting it was srong because the HI said so. I finally said to the RE that if the HI was right ahve hime fix it. He can't because he's not an electrician. I'm a Master Electrician. What that equates to in your world is, I'm a broker, you're a salesman.
I put the panel cover back on and left. Good day!
We screen our realtor calls. You can pick out the fisher's, the ones fishing for the cheap price aka free.
Our first question is "Who is paying?" Then the conversation moves forward or ends.
I had a guy call Friday wanting me to troubleshoot his "wiring job" ove rthe phone for free. After I listened to him, I said, "I don't understand what you really have there, but I can send an electrician out Monday morning. How will you be paying for the service call? He said Thanks but no thanks.
I gave up working for free...
Here's a good one for you: Guy comes in with his estimate from another EC. His attorney sent him to get a second opinion! I asked how much he paid for the first estimate. He said it was a FREE estimate. I asked how much the attorney was charging. He said $225/hr. I said just by coincidence that's exactly what it will cost for me to give a second opinion. He refused.
Don't work for FREE. It costs too much in the short/long run!

 

[electricmanscott]

I once had arealtor try to tell me the home inspector was right and I was wrong about a 2p20Amp breaker feeding an A/C which had #14 wire!

Who decided this was a problem?

 

[CopperTone]

sounds like the HI decided this was a problem. But hey, a lot of electricians think this is a problem too. (including me up to about 5 years ago when I was straightened out on the issue).