FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Yes. I charge $95/hour plus material.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first and most important step is understanding exactly what the customer wants. This starts with a few exploratory questions over the phone. In some cases a site visit is necessary. Once a complete understanding of the job is achieved, I review this with the customer to ensure agreement. Then I develop an estimate of the cost including labor and materials and review this with the customer. I always emphasize that an estimate is just that - an estimate. While I try to be as accurate a possible in determining the amount of labor and materials, it is not uncommon in electrical work to encounter unexpected situations. Most often these can only be discovered once the job begins. For instance, when one enters a wall to run a wire to a fan, the electrician can encounter studs, pipes or duct work that requires more labor. During the work, I keep the customer informed of my progress, if I am encountering any unexpected obstacles that might affect the charge and my estimate of the time to completion. For most work, the time and materials needed for completion will be just as we discussed. When the job is complete, I review all of the work with the customer. I work hard to ensure that the customer is completely satisfied with all aspects of the job and this includes leaving the site clean. Typically, payment in full is made at that time unless we have made a different arrangement up front.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I began working in the electrical trade in 1998, changing fluorescent bulbs for a large commercial facility. I quickly found that I enjoyed helping the facility manager solve his electrical problems. After this experience, I began apprenticing with a plumber and electrician. Soon I concentrated on electrical projects. In addition to acquiring this extensive field experience working with other electricians, I studied the trade intensively by taking formal courses in electricity and working as an apprentice for over seven year until I qualified for and became a fully qualified Master Electrician.