Tis the season. No calls coming in
- Thread starter zappy
- Start date
- Status
dduffee260
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
We are building a new 25,000 sq ft office, warehouse and training complex for ourselves right now. We officially break ground next Tuesday but will actually pour slab starting next Wednesday. We have faith that the future will be bright.
I have often heard that the best time to build is during a recession. I know some of the sub's prices came in much below what they would have been last year. Wish us luck !!
I have often heard that the best time to build is during a recession. I know some of the sub's prices came in much below what they would have been last year. Wish us luck !!
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Good time to send Season's Greetings to your good customers. 
bradleyelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- forest hill, md
It's been slow here for around 2 years.
I ran into someone yesterday 2 truck guy and asked him how he was doing and he said he just laid off someone and wasn't sure how much longer he would make it. Was talking with another guy at the supply house yesterday that has 3 trucks and he's loosely partnered with a guy that has 2 trucks and said they are just doing all they can to get the work and going and doing it and working out who is paying who on the fly. They aren't the cheapest guy in town crowd and have good heads and it looks like they are doing well keeping the 5 trucks busy.
We have been doing some low cost marketing and it has been paying off recently. Who is your customer? How do they know to call you and not someone else? How would they like to find you? How can you put yourself in the hands of your customer?
Over 70% of our work last month was existing customers. We market to them.
I need to update a marketing plan with goals as to how I'm going to develop new relationships. I have been doing some of the marketing but haven't put the goals on paper.
I am constantly thinking established companies with established relationships are now fair game due to their electricians may be in serious trouble and they may need someone that is still viable that is dependable. How do you market to them? If they don't know you are who they are looking for how can you expect them to call you?
Look for opportunities. Not problems.
I ran into someone yesterday 2 truck guy and asked him how he was doing and he said he just laid off someone and wasn't sure how much longer he would make it. Was talking with another guy at the supply house yesterday that has 3 trucks and he's loosely partnered with a guy that has 2 trucks and said they are just doing all they can to get the work and going and doing it and working out who is paying who on the fly. They aren't the cheapest guy in town crowd and have good heads and it looks like they are doing well keeping the 5 trucks busy.
We have been doing some low cost marketing and it has been paying off recently. Who is your customer? How do they know to call you and not someone else? How would they like to find you? How can you put yourself in the hands of your customer?
Over 70% of our work last month was existing customers. We market to them.
I need to update a marketing plan with goals as to how I'm going to develop new relationships. I have been doing some of the marketing but haven't put the goals on paper.
I am constantly thinking established companies with established relationships are now fair game due to their electricians may be in serious trouble and they may need someone that is still viable that is dependable. How do you market to them? If they don't know you are who they are looking for how can you expect them to call you?
Look for opportunities. Not problems.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
I've been spending a lot of time on the world wide wait, doing nothing but post on internet forums.
We've noticed. :roll:
AV ELECTRIC
Senior Member
It looked like things were picking up at the end of the summer and after that the sound of silence . Most calls are bargain hunters they can smell the blood in the water . I think the future is bright for the ones that survive .
brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
i have been averaging 60 hours a week for the last 5 months, and up until last week; but the well has finally gone dry. I haven't done much this week, and honestly, I needed it badly. I have a handful of small jobs lined up over the next three weeks but nothing big.
In what may seem as a strange twist, I've received several calls about bidding new residential; sounds like thats about to crank back up around here. Looks like I may be getting back into new residential for awhile. Some laid off electricians have called looking for work, and they're willing to work extremely cheap, so it may work out.
In what may seem as a strange twist, I've received several calls about bidding new residential; sounds like thats about to crank back up around here. Looks like I may be getting back into new residential for awhile. Some laid off electricians have called looking for work, and they're willing to work extremely cheap, so it may work out.
Power Tech
Senior Member
- Location
- Lebec, California
Been working 4 days a week, and loving it (Get Smart).
Took a day off and caught 10 Stripers to 8 pounds.
I haven't been fishing, or taken a day off for years.
I think we have all been pushing hard for the past 6 years. Things were crazy.
I need to find a more balanced life.
Took a day off and caught 10 Stripers to 8 pounds.
I haven't been fishing, or taken a day off for years.
I think we have all been pushing hard for the past 6 years. Things were crazy.
I need to find a more balanced life.
Power Tech
Senior Member
- Location
- Lebec, California
Just had a house to bid, I didn't even call them back.
What is worse, not calling them back, or telling them I charge $150 as a bid service.
Years back I ran 100's of miles bidding work for nothing. I will not be so gullible in the future.
boboelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- Eighty Four,Pa.15330
Talking to guys at the counter,"Howzit Going?" "We're swamped!" looking at their purchase,100 ft. of 14/2 and 2 old work boxes.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Of course they're swamped. Spend half or more of their time getting materials. But they don't have to worry about inventory.
e57
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
A Plumber I used to work with, who I have also used at my home - so I am on his customer list.... Sends me a hand signed Christmas Card - EVERY YEAR. (He's Jewish - but why would that matter... :rollGood time to send Season's Greetings to your good customers.
He's gotta do several hundred of them every year - for the last 20 years or so... Says his hand is on fire when he's done - but says people remember it when the call him back...
electricalperson
Senior Member
- Location
- massachusetts
its so slow in MA i lost my job for the time being. peter d do you need help
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
bradleyelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- forest hill, md
Happy Hanukkah Larry, PJ and everyone.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
its so slow in MA i lost my job for the time being. peter d do you need help
Yes, you can do all the painting, cleaning, organizing, and leaf raking that you want.
kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
Busy as beavers, had to go back to working 5 days a week.
We have been on 4-day work weeks most of the year, and just when I wanted to take a couple weeks off for the holidays, I get clobbered!
I told my wife we could always take our annual road trip in January ....
We have been on 4-day work weeks most of the year, and just when I wanted to take a couple weeks off for the holidays, I get clobbered!
I told my wife we could always take our annual road trip in January ....
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