Service rates Washington to California

[marcerrin]

Thinking of relocating to Southern California from the Seattle area (maybe it sounds dumb because we're still busy up here, and Socal itsn't. But my wife can't take the weather anymore.)
I was wondering if anyone knows the typical residential service rates in Socal. (Laguna Beach, San Diego, etc.)
I could also use a good reference guide to the state code differences, and licensing requirements. ( I don't think they reciprocate with WA.) Thanks.

 

[bradleyelectric]

I'm willing to bet some fools are doing it for about $45 an hour while others are basing there work at over $250 an hour.

The cheapest guy probably isn't as busy as the guys selling at a premium due to the fact he is hard to deal with or just plain doesn't charge what he's worth.

The guys charging a premium know what they are worth, sell on features other than price, are very personable, work efficiently but don't act like they are trying to get out of there as fast as they can and price by the task.

Any chance you wont worry about what someone else charges and market yourself instead of your price?

 

[marcerrin]

I'm willing to bet some fools are doing it for about $45 an hour while others are basing there work at over $250 an hour.

The cheapest guy probably isn't as busy as the guys selling at a premium due to the fact he is hard to deal with or just plain doesn't charge what he's worth.

The guys charging a premium know what they are worth, sell on features other than price, are very personable, work efficiently but don't act like they are trying to get out of there as fast as they can and price by the task.

Any chance you wont worry about what someone else charges and market yourself instead of your price?

Thank you for your post. Like your post says, you "bet" that thats the way things are.
I have a wife and two kids to think about. So when we thought about taking a chance and moving elsewhere I figured I'd check the market (real estate as well as rates in my trade) to see wheather or not its feasible for one, and for two how our lifestyle might need to change. Stability for my family is something I will not bet on.
If I were an idiot, sure I might just go down there and buy whatever house I can afford at the time and market myself with no knowledge what-so-ever of the surrounding area contractors and the rates that I'm supposed to compete with. There is a certain amount of forcasting that needs to be done when your going to uproot your family and try to start from scratch.
I don't care who you are, if most are charging between 60 and 100 an hour and you come barging into town charging $250, your going to struggle to find work. After being established and you have a good name, then perhaps you can look at what isn't being offered by others, or where others are stuggling and take advantage of that market. Everyone dips their foot into the water first to see what the temerature is like, if they don't they could get burned.

 

[peter d]

I don't care who you are, if most are charging between 60 and 100 an hour and you come barging into town charging $250, your going to struggle to find work.

That is totally and completely false. You can absolutely charge that much and be quite successful. You can charge that with a flat rate system, but you must deliver the goods and present an impeccable image.

 

[bradleyelectric]

That is totally and completely false. You can absolutely charge that much and be quite successful. You can charge that with a flat rate system, but you must deliver the goods and present an impeccable image.

And do it a lot easier from the beginning than start off estbilishing a customer base at $65 an hour than start charging them by the task based on $250/ hr. I understand it is tempting to think you would have to charge what others do. That is what we are tought in other areas of life. It is hard to unlearn things.

 

[emahler]

do we never learn?

 

[marcerrin]

So, you wouldn't want to know anything about the market that your moving to? Code differences? Markets are different from state to state, and area to area. Your telling me that you wouldn't investigate anything about your trade in that market before uprooting your family to move to a different part of the country?

 

[marcerrin]

And do it a lot easier from the beginning than start off estbilishing a customer base at $65 an hour than start charging them by the task based on $250/ hr. I understand it is tempting to think you would have to charge what others do. That is what we are tought in other areas of life. It is hard to unlearn things.

I know what you guys are getting at but your missing my point. Production and service are two different monsters though. I do both. Service rates are always alot higher. I should have been more specific, and said "hourly production rate". Working for general contractors and charging 200-400% more than anyone else will get you very little if any work. Your also assuming that I'm asking so that I can charge the same, thats false. I'm not looking for a business outline, I'm simply testing the waters. I'm just working every scenerio I can so that my family and I have a fighting chance in a struggling economy to keep the lights on in unknown territory.

 

[bradleyelectric]

So, you wouldn't want to know anything about the market that your moving to? Code differences? Markets are different from state to state, and area to area. Your telling me that you wouldn't investigate anything about your trade in that market before uprooting your family to move to a different part of the country?

I didn't comment about code differences in the area you are looking at. I don't do business there or don't have the number for the permit or licensing office. I'd google the county permit and licensing office you are looking into. I was responding to the first part of your request. I have fairly extensive experience in that area of your request. There is no need for you to pay attention to it. Most don't.

 

[bradleyelectric]

I know what you guys are getting at but your missing my point. Production and service are two different monsters though. I do both. Service rates are always alot higher. I should have been more specific, and said "hourly production rate". Working for general contractors and charging 200-400% more than anyone else will get you very little if any work. Your also assuming that I'm asking so that I can charge the same, thats false. I'm not looking for a business outline, I'm simply testing the waters. I'm just working every scenerio I can so that my family and I have a fighting chance in a struggling economy to keep the lights on in unknown territory.

Ok. Do you do residential or commercial construction? New or remodel work? Home improvement contractors or general contractors?

 

[bradleyelectric]

do we never learn?

I know, wise men and fools.

 

[marcerrin]

Ok. Do you do residential or commercial construction? New or remodel work? Home improvement contractors or general contractors?

Mostly high-end residential remodel. We do a couple customs here and there. We mix in a little service work (residential) as well. Mostly work for general contractors.

 

[marcerrin]

I know, wise men and fools.

Was that an insult?

 

[bradleyelectric]

Was that an insult?

No, that is a long running thing. You weren't there at the time.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I would say that now is not a very good time to try to get into the Southern California market. Residential has come to a screeching halt and with the holidays coming up it's even slower.

I have no idea what the going rates are around here, but then again electricians are a dime a dozen and if your rates aren't competitive you won't get very far. It's very cut throat down here.