My rant on electricians... and why America is going down the shitter...

[DanTheMan]

I have bid roof installations for about 12 years now. I'm pretty good at reading a cold call. If I see the need, I add a bunch of money for what I call the PITA (pain in the ass) factor. It's usually for engineer type guys. You know, the ones that tell me the best way to do the installation and then ask me to itemize each individual part and the time it will take to install it.  

BINGO! I would overbid too if i feel like the home owner is going to be a pain in the ass. Charge you for the shit ill have to deal with, meaning you. Id rather not make any money.

Now being said monkey, or electrician, iv'e done a few services changes. But i want to say our prices averaged 1200+ For a simple overhead box replacement, and it does take all day with three people working. We usually just cut the power lines ourselves instead of waiting for the power company. But you never know what your going to encounter when you finally get it opened up. Home owners do some weird shit some times. 2-3 hours of work, not likely. Oh and they get parts and wire at wholesale cost, so subtract a few percentage points from the cost you calculated, assuming those prices are from your local hardware store.

Like someone said your paying for expertise. We would be able to spot a problem, where no doubt you can do the job yourself, but a obvious issue will probably slip right past.

[rgramjet]

Just make sure you live near a Home Depot and/or electrical supply house. 

Im guessing 4 trips......anyone care to make it interesting?

[DanTheMan]

Just make sure you live near a Home Depot and/or electrical supply house. 

Im guessing 4 trips......anyone care to make it interesting?

Free tip from the pros, buy way more stuff than you think you need, when the job is done, return the unused stuff. 2 trips. Assuming you know what you may need when you first show up.

[ducpainter]

can either of you guess what he will definitely forget...

and the inspector will never pick up on?

edit...

and probably isn't even required by the NEC

[DanTheMan]

no, hint?

[ducpainter]

compound

[rgramjet]

Free tip from the pros, buy way more stuff than you think you need, when the job is done, return the unused stuff. 2 trips. Assuming you know what you may need when you first show up.

My problem is that I now do that except I dont return the stuff.  Its just about gone full circle.  I now have the stuff that I will need "in stock".

[TAftonomos]

Electric supply place is right around the corner from me, ordered what I needed today (late).  Ready for pickup monday, but I won't have a day off until next week...

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I did know about and get some noalox compound, and I'm even prepard to torque the lugs properly to the specs listed for aluminum wire   I might forget something, but I'm sure my buddy will double check what I've done before the 'spector gets here.  No longer licensed as he's moved on to other things, but he'll get a few benjamens just for coming by to double check me....

[ducpainter]

Electric supply place is right around the corner from me, ordered what I needed today (late).  Ready for pickup monday, but I won't have a day off until next week...

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I did know about and get some noalox compound, and I'm even prepard to torque the lugs properly to the specs listed for aluminum wire   I might forget something, but I'm sure my buddy will double check what I've done before the 'spector gets here.  No longer licensed as he's moved on to other things, but he'll get a few benjamens just for coming by to double check me....

wise guy eh?

Remember to think like a monkey.

Good luck with it.

[TAftonomos]

I struck some nerves with the monkey comment didn't I?  Gotten about a half dozen PM's about it.  Well, I'll eat a bannana before I start in the AM  

Guys, seriously.  It's the internet.  What I call a group of people shouldn't bother you in the least.  In fact, if you actually knew me, it shouldn't ever cross your mind that I might REALLY think a group of people or tradesman are unskilled, idiots, monkeys, high school dropouts, whatever.....  Anyone that does their job as well as they can and to a high degree of skill should be respected, without a doubt.  Just because I come on an internet forum and bash 2 idiots that want to make 2 weeks worth of wages in 3 hours, doesn't mean I don't fully understand there are plenty of places where these people should make that or MORE.  Just that the job I require doesn't warrant the asking price.

Bolting a pre-made cabinet on the wall, and then pulling wires through a hole and plugging them into the other side doesn't require $300 an hour labor.

/end  

[ducpainter]

I struck some nerves with the monkey comment didn't I?  Gotten about a half dozen PM's about it.  Well, I'll eat a bannana before I start in the AM 

Guys, seriously.  It's the internet.  What I call a group of people should bother you in the least.  In fact, if you actually knew me, it shouldn't ever cross your mind that I REALLY think a group of people or tradesman are unskilled, idiots, monkeys, high school dropouts, whatever.  Anyone that does their job as well as they can and to a high degree of skill should be respected, without a doubt.  Just because I come on an internet forum and bash 2 idiots that want to make 2 weeks worth of wages in 3 hours, doesn't mean I don't fully understand there are plenty of places where these people should make that or MORE.  Just that the job doesn't warrant the asking price.

Bolting a pre-made cabinet on the wall, and then pulling wires through a hole and plugging them into the other side doesn't require $300 an hour labor.

/end 

but we don't know you...and can only take your words at face value.

I worked as an electrician...so what you call tradesmen, which I still am, does bother me and the rest of the hard working tradesmen here.

Good luck with your project.

[1KDS]

but we don't know you...and can only take your words at face value.

I worked as an electrician...so what you call tradesmen, which I still am, does bother me and the rest of the hard working tradesmen here.

Good luck with your project.

Well put, I was too angry to write something that makes so much sense

[hbliam]

Just because I come on an internet forum and bash 2 idiots that want to make 2 weeks worth of wages in 3 hours, doesn't mean I don't fully understand there are plenty of places where these people should make that or MORE.  Just that the job I require doesn't warrant the asking price.

There you go again. Now their idiots? Apparently they make two weeks of your wages in 3 hours. Who's the idiot?  

Hope your project goes well. Don't make us change your name to McFry2.

[TAftonomos]

Just because I come on an internet forum and bash 2 idiots MORE[/u].  "master electricians whom I have no interest in dealing with" that want to make 2 weeks worth of wages in 3 hours, doesn't mean I don't .....

There, is that PC enough for ya?  What kind of skin do you have, is it thinner than a latex glove?    Please send me your address 1KDS, I'll ship you a whaa-burger and Whine-a-kin to wash it down    You know, when somone bags on what I do, I don't take it personally.  I know what I can do, what I can't, and how good or not I am at it.  Being comfortable in your own skin is a nice thing....and getting upset because of some jerk on the web??? Come on.....

Who the hell is Mcfry, and why the make the beast with two backs would I be lumped in with him....?  I waaay more of an asshole than I let on, but I try and stay civil.  

[ducpainter]

<snip>

Who the hell is Mcfry, and why the make the beast with two backs would I be lumped in with him....?  I waaay more of an asshole than I let on, but I try and stay civil.  

It's either him or the monkeys...

you should probably quit while you're even.