too small a job

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Haynie

Member
Joined
May 20, 2011
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3,515
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Page Arizona
I run a business. IMO there is no job that is too small. I have never looked at a potential customer and told them their job was too small.

I have been told a job I need completed was too small 3 times in the last month. I have had 3 other people tell me they would show up to give an estimate then never show up. I have some electrical work to do. It is out of my league and IMO not a small job. Wiring an outlet is a small job. Installing a ceiling fan is a small job. Granted it might take someone only a day to do it but that is a day's pay.

This is getting crazy.
 
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Go to your local electrical supply store (not the big box stores) they usually have a bulletin board where local contractors will post a business card. These folks will generally be licensed and bonded, which you want, and looking for extra days pay. Ask the store manager for recommendations. You will likely end up with more leads than you need.
 
Many times firemen or policemen carry a license on the side for work on their days off try asking at the fire or police station
 
Mark,

I've worked for several companies were the job is too small was a reasonable answer.

Having said that, I would not tell someone I'd provide an estimate and not show up.
If something came up which prevented me from keeping the appointment, I'd call, text, email OR send a replacement.
And whatever prevented me from keeping my commitment would be something serious.

Some people don't have business skills, some don't have respect for others, and some just don't have any sense.
 
I have two business units that are on one meter. That was not an issue when only one of those units was filled. Now I have both filled and I need to separate their electricity. I need to connect to an unused meter. It will require running 3 phase wire from the meter to the fuse box. Not a large job.

This is a town of around 7000 people. I can understand the "job is too small" answer if we were a huge city with very large projects. Around here a large project is wiring a single family home or a house boat.
 
Haynie said:
I have two business units that are on one meter. That was not an issue when only one of those units was filled. Now I have both filled and I need to separate their electricity. I need to connect to an unused meter. It will require running 3 phase wire from the meter to the fuse box. Not a large job.

This is a town of around 7000 people. I can understand the "job is too small" answer if we were a huge city with very large projects. Around here a large project is wiring a single family home or a house boat.
Click to expand...

That may not be as small as you say or try to explain. You now have to split the service. Is the service large enough to do this. You now have to add a meter and run the cable to the adjoining panel. Now you have changed the configuration of the service so you must make all upgrades in code to service if need be. Not sure about your state but you will need permit to get 3 phase power to that business.
 
Already 3 phase running into the available meter. Already had the electric company out, and the zoning/code guy. Electric company approved the use of the currently inactive meter. All the code guy was concerned with was getting someone who knew what they were doing, and he also wanted me to understand I could not reuse any wire, which I already knew. Then we talked about where the new wire should be run. Current code says it can't run where it was put almost 30 years ago. No mention of any permits.

But I will double check.

At this point, getting someone, who knows what they are doing, is the hardest part of the job.
 
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We recently bought a chunk of land that has an existing 1500 sqft metal building on it that will become our new shop. Last week, we scheduled an electrician, our pest guy, and a contractor to move the doors from one side of the building to another. None showed up or even called.
 
We got ready to start a remodel job, had the bids from 3 different contractors. Took the bid with the the best references, not the cheapest, scheduled the work to be started. Date arrived, nobody showed up, called, no answer, saw his truck and him running around town, also saw 2 weeks later where he took out another city permit for another job. Never heard from him again, even though his bid was almost a $1000 more than the next bid, he was our first choice. Got the job done for less, and on schedule by another contractor.

Not only did he lose this job, he lost the next 2 projects we have had done since then. No telling how many other jobs he has lost, a small town of 7000 people word spreads fast from a disgruntled customer faster than a happy customer.
 
On the plus side, you wouldn't want to do business with the people who skipped on the quote - so they did you a favour.

I recently ran a new service to my house (about a year ago now), and it wasn't a hard job - persnikety, yes - but you don't want someone to make changes to your service who's just guessing. I got a permit, memorized the code book, paid an electrician to double-check my plan before I called for a final, and had it inspected. It's a day's job for a good electrician, I'd guess - took me a lot longer than that.

Quiz whoever shows up on the code and the requirements, and make sure they're licensed!
 
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