Originally Posted by
Al Roden
I was told that two (2) electricians would be wiring my house and the rate would be $45 per man hour (90 total). And that's fine with me...
That's why it is better to get a 'job price' than a 'per hour' price. You really should not be concerned 'how long it takes' but that 'it is done right'. I know some think that a 'job price' includes overhead and profit, and it does, and it should, just like your prices do, and that the overhead and profit are to great - however, their overhead and profit are also built into the 'per hour' price, and a 'per hour' price gives them an incentive to 'make more', not 'do more'. A 'job price' gives the incentive to 'get done' and that the sooner they 'get done' the more they make.
BUT when I watch them and later talk with them, it's clear that the Journeyman is spending too much of my $90/hour teaching the apprentice how to do the work.
That's one way apprentices learn, one big way. They may (or may not) go to classes in an apprenticeship program (I never did), they learn from more knowledgeable persons (I learned a lot from my Dad), then they keep learning on their own.
If you stop the journeyman from teaching the apprentice, one likely response would be to let the apprentice 'do his own thing' and learn that way when it has to be re-done. I doubt you want that either.
I am sure there are reasons for having gone with a 'per hour' price.
Now you are ready to start with a new electrical contractor - go with a 'job price', you may well actually end up spending less, you will not care how much time is spent doing the work or teaching, and, if the work has to be re-done, it does not cost you (on a 'pre hour' price you could well end up paying twice for the same work, just as you will end up paying another electrician to 'get up to speed and correct the other electricians work' if you hire the new electrician 'per hour'.
Your choice, but having been a General Contractor for many years with my own small company, I *ALWAYS* wanted a 'job price', that way I knew my costs and did not have to pay more than 'X' - unless, or course, there were change orders, and there usually were because clients tend to change their minds on what they want.
But the client paid for that, and my OH & P was in there too.
Now I have to go out and find another electrician before the word gets out on me that I'm a pain in the ass to work for.
I seriously recommend trying to find some way to get a 'job price' from them and forget about a 'per hour' price. It will be less money in the long run, and less to worry about - all you have to do is worry about it being done right, you already know what it will cost.
Happy hunting.
