For ECs: How many of you are operating by yourself? - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

480sparky · 08-07-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

There are no two-man jobs in the electrical trade. ........I will maintain until my dying day, however, that there are no 2-man jobs in this line of work.

So you're perfectly content pulling 4 750's 2000' through 360 of bends all by your lonesome?

Peter D · 08-07-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

So you're perfectly content pulling 4 750's 2000' through 360 of bends all by your lonesome?

I don't think Marc said he was content to do such a thing, only that is was possible.

I maintain that it doesn't matter anyway because nobody in their right mind would attempt any large pull like that alone unless there were extreme extenuating circumstances where other help was not available.

480sparky · 08-07-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter D

I don't think Marc said he was content to do such a thing, only that is was possible.

I maintain that it doesn't matter anyway because nobody in their right mind would attempt any large pull like that alone unless there were extreme extenuating circumstances where other help was not available.

By the time you get the rope, tugger and reels set up, we'd have a different president!

MDShunk · 08-07-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

So you're perfectly content pulling 4 750's 2000' through 360 of bends all by your lonesome?

Not sure I ever said anything remotely like that.

captkirk · 08-07-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

There are no two-man jobs in the electrical trade. There are many jobs that suck less with extra help, many jobs that can be done more efficiently and quickly with more help, and there are many jobs that go more easily with extra help. I will maintain until my dying day, however, that there are no 2-man jobs in this line of work.

I agree. About 5 months ago I laid and bent 500 feet of 4 inch pvc and about 800 feet of 2 inch pvc by myself up a small hill. Sure at the end of the day I was whipped but I got it done.

Kelley · 08-08-2009, 09:26 AM

I work for an EC and work alone most of the time. When I need an extra pair of hands for a particular job I ask for a hand and the office will send me a guy.

te12co2w · 08-08-2009, 11:26 AM

I used to make a point of doing everything myself. Lots of reasons for that. no employee hassles, learn new ways of doing things, job done to my satisfaction, know everything that happens on a job. There are also reasons to use help too. I'm getting too old to want to pull a 2" conduit full of feeders alone now, and it's sure nice not to have to do absolutely every last little thing, from planning, layout, ordering, loading the truck, unloading the truck, installing, cleaning up, fixing tools, and on and on. Now I like having help with some of those things.

480sparky · 08-08-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

Not sure I ever said anything remotely like that.

Never said you did. That's why there's that little squiggly thing with a dot under it at the end of the sentence.

InPhase277 · 08-08-2009, 01:01 PM

In general, I work alone, but I some journeymen I can get on short notice for jobs that I either can't get to or just plain don't want to do. But I have pulled some miracles off by myself. I have a whole collection of jigs, rigs and devices I have made out of scrap wood or metal stud to help me accomplish a two or three man task. Some I'm pretty sure I'll never need again, but I can't bring myself to get rid of.

I have a nice "wire funnel" that fits on a 3 or 4" pipe for pulling feeders. I have a floor jack with a foot strap. I replaced the release bolt with a valve I can press with my foot. That's great for positioning big panels. Oh, and neodymium magnets. Those things can hold anything, anywhere. I used to have a 12 V truck winch that I used to do do alot with, but it was an el cheapo Harbor Freight that eventually gave out, and I never replaced. And more.

kbsparky · 08-08-2009, 01:09 PM

I have worked alone for some of my career. Other times, I had 6 employees running around on several jobs at once.

Most of the time, I will have one person working with me, as 2 can do a job in less than ½ the time as working alone. Especially when fishing or pulling wires, it is most convenient to have someone at both ends of the run.

AT the present time, my helper/assistant/worker is actually a sub-contractor, who has his own business, license, etc. He works part of the week with me (as opposed to for me), and the rest of the time does his own thing.

Best of both worlds.

SideWorker · 08-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimlock

What I'm wondering is how many of you are working for yourself yet don't have any employees (Helper)? How do you deal with situations where you typically need a second set of hands? A good example is pulling wire into a conduit?

Most of the time I could set something up to get it done myself. I find myself climbing in and out of attics a lot, going back and forth in a situation where another pair of hands would really help.

Since my business is only a part time thing I just make do with what I got, I think it's cheaper not having an employee anyway even if it takes me longer. Not having to deal with an employee and payroll and workman's comp, healthcare, retirement, etc. makes up for it (or at least I think, I need to see an accountant).

SideWorker · 08-08-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbsparky

AT the present time, my helper/assistant/worker is actually a sub-contractor, who has his own business, license, etc. He works part of the week with me (as opposed to for me), and the rest of the time does his own thing.

Best of both worlds.

How do you do that, working with and not for you? Split everything down the middle?

kbsparky · 08-08-2009, 03:01 PM

I pay him by the hour on some projects, by the job on others. I've also traded off by working with him on some of his stuff in exchange for his time on mine.

Magnettica · 08-08-2009, 04:03 PM

Kb, is that right that 2 people can do the job in half the time one person can do it by himself?

480sparky · 08-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

Kb, is that right that 2 people can do the job in half the time one person can do it by himself?

No. Typically, it takes less than half the time.

Chris Kennedy · 08-08-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

I'd have little problem getting 8 people on-site if needed.

Shame you didn't have 'little problem' gettin payed.

480sparky · 08-08-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Kennedy

Shame you didn't have 'little problem' gettin payed.

We're thinking "Road Trip" with Vinne and Bruno. Take along some vise-grips and a blowtorch. Mebbe lop off some digits using a Klien ratcheting wire cutter.

Chris Kennedy · 08-08-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

We're thinking "Road Trip" with Vinne and Bruno. Take along some vise-grips and a blowtorch. Mebbe lop off some digits using a Kliend ratcheting wire cutter.

I see, a LEAN.

480sparky · 08-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Kennedy

I see, a LEAN.

If you mean lien, yes, that's coming next week.

drsparky · 08-08-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

There are no two-man jobs in the electrical trade. There are many jobs that suck less with extra help, many jobs that can be done more efficiently and quickly with more help, and there are many jobs that go more easily with extra help. I will maintain until my dying day, however, that there are no 2-man jobs in this line of work.

In the industruial world there are plenty of two man three and more man tasks. We work with big eqipment all day every day. Safety is very important and we are not going to risk a life or a back.