nj economy - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

njspark83 · 08-31-2009, 11:04 AM

hey for everyone thats in busniess for themself in jersey, I just wanted to know just how busy you are. My father and I personally are rather slow. Just getting by paying the bills and even thats a struggle.

Sparky480 · 08-31-2009, 11:07 PM

Orange county NY has been busy enough to keep my brother and I 5 days a week for the summer. Starting to slow down now though

heel600 · 08-31-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njspark83

hey for everyone thats in busniess for themself in jersey, I just wanted to know just how busy you are. My father and I personally are rather slow. Just getting by paying the bills and even thats a struggle.

2 years ago it was me and a helper

Now it's just me, and I don't have work every day. I do a LOT of pools. I'm REALLY worried about the winter.

captkirk · 08-31-2009, 11:58 PM

I just hired a helper two weeks ago and told a GC to go kiss my grits today. I seem to be doing just peachy, (as I knock on wood).

MechanicalDVR · 09-01-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captkirk

I just hired a helper two weeks ago and told a GC to go kiss my grits today. I seem to be doing just peachy, (as I knock on wood).

come on no playing with wood when your supposed to be working...

robnj772 · 09-02-2009, 09:00 PM

Its slowly starting to pick up again.July and August are always slow for me.Being down at the shore the summer is usally just service calls. Right now I am about 30% ahead of last years numbers,which were about 30% down from the previous year.I am worried about the fall beacuse I have a bad feeling that even thought we have to start following the 2009 code next month I think some low balling desperate jerks aren't gonna raise their prices just to keep busy.I am sure as hell not gonna eat the new costs

william1978 · 09-02-2009, 09:17 PM

I don't live in N.J., but in Charlotte N.C. there was a 50 story condo building get shut down because the owner isn't pay the GC. The company that I work for had to send about 70 men home.

Power Tech · 09-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heel600

2 years ago it was me and a helper

Now it's just me, and I don't have work every day. I do a LOT of pools. I'm REALLY worried about the winter.

hsdent.com

Economic forecast. This guy has been dead on since the 80's.

The DOW at 3800? It is a must see.

Mr. Sparkle · 09-03-2009, 07:50 PM

An acquaintance of mine that is quite a bit more smartypants than me about all the economy whoopla is sticking to his "don't beleive the hype" grim forecast for the next year or two at least, I still only have one part time helper and have been lucky enough to fill in days here and there helping out another EC I know.........I strongly beleive the worst is yet to come.

Mr. Sparkle · 09-03-2009, 07:53 PM

Let's not forget about all the ARM mortgages set to go bust in 2010.......

Mr. Sparkle · 09-03-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william1978

I don't live in N.J., but in Charlotte N.C. there was a 50 story condo building get shut down because the owner isn't pay the GC. The company that I work for had to send about 70 men home.

There is a Giant "Luxury" Condo complex they put smack dab in the middle of three intersecting State Highways at basically the entry to the Shore here.....the project started around 4 or 5 years ago, the sign back then said "Starting at $999,999" Last I heard the bank pulled the loan out from under the developers because they cant even sell the ones that are done for a little more than half that, half the lot isn't even developed. I swear ever since seeing that sign I though "Who would pay that for that?!?!" They cut down a beautiful patch of woods to do it to boot......

njspark83 · 09-03-2009, 08:32 PM

Yea, the thing that pisses me off is all the "trunk slammers" stealing work from the legit guys. And yea the low ballers

william1978 · 09-03-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

.........I strongly beleive the worst is yet to come.

I agree.

captkirk · 09-03-2009, 08:39 PM

I think the key is to stay lean and mean. I have just hired a helper and I still need to hire temp help (mechanic/journey man) a few days a week just to stay ahead.

Mr. Sparkle · 09-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njspark83

Yea, the thing that pisses me off is all the "trunk slammers" stealing work from the legit guys. And yea the low ballers

I got a pic on my phone of a handymans "secret" magnet advertising plumbing and electrical repairs that he must take on and off his truck depending on where he is........still thinking about an anonymous mailer of it to the proper authorities. All in all, I'm still not sure if it's my style, regardless of what I think about it......ehhh, maybe I'll have a bad day and change my mind.

captkirk · 09-03-2009, 08:52 PM

In the long run those idiots only wind up making more work for us. I did a service change last week that had a few extras thrown in courtousy of some trunk slammers/side workers. New kitchen remodle with one circut for counter tops/micro wave/ fridge......LOL I freaken love those guys......

Magnettica · 09-03-2009, 11:06 PM

I'm making money to cover my expenses and keep the business above water for now. Each week I have stuff to do but never have anything scheduled more than a few days in advance. Just when I start to worry about getting work or having no work lined up for the coming week, something comes up. It takes a little getting used to.

The DOW going to 3800? I'm not buying it. I'm a proud conservative and Rush and Sean are always hammering the economy (and rightfully so), but nothing makes me work harder or angrier than when they say things like people aren't starting their own businesses right now because of the economic climate. BS. I started mine and I am not going to fail. The American entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well even if we do have an idiot president about to bankrupt the country for the next 40 years.

Mr. Sparkle · 09-03-2009, 11:10 PM

I'll refrain.........

robnj772 · 09-04-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

I got a pic on my phone of a handymans "secret" magnet advertising plumbing and electrical repairs that he must take on and off his truck depending on where he is........still thinking about an anonymous mailer of it to the proper authorities. All in all, I'm still not sure if it's my style, regardless of what I think about it......ehhh, maybe I'll have a bad day and change my mind.

Send it to me and I will turn him into the state un anonymously

Did you see the Asbury Park Press story about the handyman sting operation in Brick?

They had a house staged and called contractors with no numbers in their ads to come bid it,They nailed 7 guys for not being licensed.

Mr. Sparkle · 09-04-2009, 02:01 PM

Yeah, I saw that article. I love seeing that stuff and honestly feel like they should do more of it, not to mention I think they should look into how certain licensed contractors (EC's, Plumbers....) operate their business as well. You know the ones that exploit their employees and do supply house jump rope with a book of rubber checks etc......those guys should have their licenses revoked.