"gorehound" wrote in message
...
What would be a good bid to change a fuse box to a breaker box. Here is
the
situation, I am licensed electrician but I work for an electrician and I
am
trying to get some sidework of my own. I have changed out panels while
working with the guy before and I know what I am doing. Here is the what
the
job would entail. This guy has a 14 circuit fuse panel right next to the
main panel which has a disconnect in the main panel for the fuse box. All
I
would have to do is shut off the breaker to the fuse box, disconnect all
the
wires, pull out the box and replace with new panel. I asked the guy that I
work for if he would be interested in doing it but he just kinda blew me
off
because he is busy with some of the other work we have going on and he
takes
evening courses at college so he just acts like he doesn't have the time.
I
am asking how to bid the job because when ever he bids jobs he makes sure
that I am not around so I don't hear what he quotes the people so I don't
feel shafted with what he pays me to do the labor. I understand that (it's
his business) but it doesn't help me to figure out what to bid on jobs
that
he is not willing to do. Basically in a nutshell how would I bid this job.
Would I do a set price or would I charge by the hour plus material?


There is a lot to consider when taking on side jobs. Obviously you want to
make it worth your while. Assuming that you have a truck, tools, and
insurance you need to calculate your overhead cost on an hourly basis. Then
throw in your labor costs for yourself which should include social security
payments. Figure out how many hours it will take to do the job and the time
spent picking up materials and traveling to the job site. Figure out your
material cost. Add all of this up and you should be able to come up with a
price that is profitable for you.

You can find out what the prevailing wage is in your area for journeyman
electricians and use that as a starting point for your labor costs. You
should be able to find this out by doing a search on the internet as I think
that the government has it posted somewhere for reference.

I think that most customers want a firm price up front and do not want to
pay by the hour. If there are some unknowns that you won't find out until
the job is started, just be up front and tell the customer that there may be
an extra charge for such and such.

When you are just starting out on your own there is a learning curve.
Customer service is important. Return calls, show up on time, do it right
the first time, be neat about your work, and clean up when finished.
Sometimes you may underbid, and other jobs you will make a decent profit.
Your best advertising is referrals from previous customers.

Good luck.