For ECs: How many of you are operating by yourself? - Page 4 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

captkirk · 08-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

You got it. By that same token, I'm sure that you and I both could figure out a way to pull in six sets of 500's if we had to do it alone.

You would be surprised at the things Ive managed to do alone. I really should start writing a book called "The residential electricians field guide to working alone"

oldman · 08-09-2009, 10:24 PM

480sparky probably already has a copy....

Magnettica · 08-09-2009, 10:31 PM

Working alone is a matter of fact. Sooner or later (for the younger guys) you have to do something on your own without supervision or a helping hand. That's called gaining experience. Having a strong back and a weak mind as we used to say in the Navy, changes over time as your back gets weaker and mind gets stronger.

Peter D · 08-09-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

Peter D and I would both get it done with our imaginary friends!

Like Shark Munc, for instance?

InPhase277 · 08-09-2009, 11:09 PM

I have pulled 500s by myself. I built a wire funnel that fits over 3" or 4" pipe, and bushes the pipe throat. Actually, I don't pull anything, the tugger does it for me. It's great.

Lighting Retro · 08-11-2009, 12:26 AM

I rarely have time to be in the field any more, and actually find I get more done that way. Of course with my back these days, that's a good thing.

I can tell you though if you are in need of some help in a pinch for a "labor gig" that does not require much expertise of any kind, Craigs List is not a bad place to throw an add or look for someone looking for work. We needed to find a couple of guys to assist in projects in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and we were shocked at the quantity and quality of the responses.

won't always be that way, but times are tough, so more guys are available that usual

ZLIGHTNING ELECTRIC · 08-11-2009, 12:37 AM

Hi, I'm new and this my first post. I've been working alone for awhile, even when I was a helper. I listened to all of my teachers and masters and other helpers. Everyone learns from each other. What I am getting at is this. Always, Always plan a job as if you are working by yourself and you will come up with third hand ideas. You may amaze your self at what you can think of. But, yes sometimes friends, family or other neighbors looking for an extra buck. Sometimes the owners volunteer. Many people volunteer because they just want to learn and experience what the electrician knows.

480sparky · 08-11-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZLIGHTNING ELECTRIC

Hi, I'm new and this my first post. I've been working alone for awhile, even when I was a helper. I listened to all of my teachers and masters and other helpers. Everyone learns from each other. What I am getting at is this. Always, Always plan a job as if you are working by yourself and you will come up with third hand ideas. You may amaze your self at what you can think of. But, yes sometimes friends, family or other neighbors looking for an extra buck. Sometimes the owners volunteer. Many people volunteer because they just want to learn and experience what the electrician knows.

Welcome to the forum!

slowforthecones · 08-20-2009, 03:01 AM

Working for yourself or being the boss is great. No asswipe micromanaging you.

Power Tech · 08-30-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDShunk

There are no two-man jobs in the electrical trade.

I was going to go hunting but, I found out deer were extinct.

knowshorts · 08-30-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Tech

I was going to go hunting but, I found out deer were extinct.

They are not extinct, they just know how to read a calendar and know when deer season is.

Power Tech · 08-30-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowshorts

They are not extinct, they just know how to read a calendar and know when deer season is.

There are no more deer!

Power Tech · 08-30-2009, 08:19 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?

I used to have 6 employees. As they left, I have not replaced them. I enjoy working by myself and if I need a hand, there are several ex-employees and contractor friends I can call to help. It is amazing how productive a person can be if they learn to "compress time".

jahaiap · 09-03-2009, 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.

Without getting into an argument I can think of at least one. A friend of mine does a lot of dock work and the liability insurance (called longshoremans insurance I think) requires two workers on site. It makes sense to me because of the fact that they are constantly sliding in and out from under docks on a small boat and depending on the tide they can have very little clearance under there. If a boat came by too fast they would be smashed between the boat and the dock and probably killed. I think there are other reasons, too. Other than that, I work alone all the time and a helper usually will slow me down.

James

slowforthecones · 09-03-2009, 05:43 PM

there are labor saving devices and also super tuggers.

user5941 · 09-03-2009, 05:52 PM

I use to work alone but now I have people working for me. I have spent thirty years in this trade and now I use my knowledge instead of my back.

Power Tech · 09-03-2009, 08:15 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.

Everybodys had there way with this post / my turn.

You take the laziest man on the job, and he will find the easiest way to do it.

Power Tech · 09-03-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rewire

I use to work alone but now I have people working for me. I have spent thirty years in this trade and now I use my knowledge instead of my back.

My fantasy is to show up on a job when I am old and work circles around the men. Using my knowledge to work smart, not hard.

The only thing a good electrician should use his back for is to kiss the bosses butt.

slowforthecones · 09-03-2009, 10:36 PM

what kind of electric do you do out in lebec? you work for dwp?

Magnettica · 09-03-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforthecones

Working for yourself or being the boss is great. No asswipe micromanaging you.

That's what I'm talking bout!

The last 3 years before going out on my own I hated the boss specifically because of that.

Mix that with doing what you're told and I hated everyone (cept you guys, of course

).