There’s a lot of promise in moving somewhere new, even if that’s just the hope for a healthier business in a better market. As an electrician, you can pick up your job and take it wherever you may need to roam, and back again, if it doesn’t work out so well. But, like any move that’s beyond the end of the street, there’s a lot to keep in mind so you don’t end up in another state with a big surprise (and no work).

First, Let’s Talk Reciprocity

As a licensee, you probably already know that you’re not holding your Journeyman or Master licensing at a national level. Instead, your license was granted at the state or municipal level, under rules particular to that licensing body. Even though all electricians have to follow the same broad guidelines, some states or cities will have more specific rules that you have to prove you understand before they’ll grant you permission to fiddle with all the wires and sparks.

Long before you begin to consider relocating, look up your destination’s reciprocity rules. Some states that offer statewide licensing will extend reciprocity to neighboring states, others will allow you to skip certain parts of the exam if your license is active in your current state and in the rest, well, that’s going to be a whole new exam. Best to know what you’re in for.

Consider A Long-Distance Partner

When moving long distance, it’s not just that you’ll likely need a new license, you’ll also need a whole new market. Sure, in time, you’ll find new business and lots of referrals for your trouble, but those first few months may be pretty thin if you’re starting from nothing. Especially if you have to go as far as to sit for a new exam.

A local partner can help you bridge the gap, and it’s great for them, too. They get to use your skills and knowledge and you have a cushion to land upon while you’re trying to get your business affairs back up to speed. Your partner can put you to work immediately, so any hours requirement that you might not be meeting yet can also be caught up in no time.

Be Sure to Research Your Market

Of course, before you so much as set foot outside your front door, you need to know what you’re getting into. Is the new area going to be a highly competitive market? Are there lots of people looking for your kind of electrical specialty or do you need new skills that kill? If the terrain is wide-open, you can pretty much set your own price, but if you need to stay competitive, it’s a good idea to know what’s a typical charge for basics like service calls.

Your advantages become detriments when they price you out of the market you mean to corner. That’s why it’s vital to have an eyeball on the market. This might mean asking locals on forums where you’re a frequent contributor or calling a friend in the area you’re headed for and asking about where the kind of people you like to work for happen to be located. Rewires? Find older housing! EV Station installations? Look for the higher end neighborhoods, then park yourself close.

Moving into a new area doesn’t have to mean starting over entirely, but it can be an eye-opening experience if you’re not entirely sure what steps you need to take in order to move your business with you. Even though it’s not likely your crew will also move with you, it never hurts to ask or to have people who have helped you succeed in the past as part of your future.

Have you relocated your business? How’d it go? We want to know all about it in the comments!

ElectricianTalk.com