[Moopiehead]

I would like to rephrase my first thread , I am a new contractor with little capital and am trying to break in the commercial side of electrical construction. I want to know do GC'S pay electrical subs a deposit up front for the price of the contract or say a 3rd to start a commercial project

 

[dronai]

Yes :thumbsup: especially new guys

 

[360max]

like Cletis

 

[220/221]

The payment structure is wide ranging and negotiable. In the end, it's up to you to determine what you will accept.

Bigger legitimate contractors will get away with more than smaller ones.

Any job with considerable up front material costs would require a deposit by me. because, personally, I couldn't afford to take a $20K hit. Smaller jobs that are more labor intensive, with GC's that I know will get more slack.

If you are new and cash poor, resi service work puts cash in your hand the same day as you do the work.

 

[Deep Cover]

I would never write a check to someone named Moopiehead. :jester:

 

[Moopiehead]

I would never write a check to someone named Moopiehead. :jester:

. That's my username.

 

[Moopiehead]

I would never write a check to someone named Moopiehead. :jester:

thats just a user name

 

[Deep Cover]

Wow...someone can't take a joke. Good luck.

 

[220/221]

Well, his people skills are in order :laughing:

 

[RIVETER]

I would like to rephrase my first thread , I am a new contractor with little capital and am trying to break in the commercial side of electrical construction. I want to know do GC'S pay electrical subs a deposit up front for the price of the contract or say a 3rd to start a commercial project

If your funds are low I would stay away from GCs. Work the residential arena for a while. If you can't make a living there thank your lucky stars that you did not go commercial.

 

[Bootss]

Hand your business card out to stores, restaurants & malls, try to generate business that way. work directly with the owner of the business

 

[bartstop]

I have found that homeowners are much easier to deal with, for the most part. Business owners tend to be tight with their money. I've even had convenience store owners ask for a discount AFTER the price was negotiated and the work already done.

Another good source of business is Realtors. It's usually small jobs like adding GFCI's or fixing double tapped breakers. We have a $150 minimum charge so it's quick, easy money.



Dave

 

[B4T]

For a guy just starting out.. IMO... you are making a big mistake by only going after commercial work...

Better to go after anything electrical that you can do and put money in your pocket....

Once you are loaded with work.. maybe then get picky about what direction you want to go in...

 

[millerdrr]

For a guy just starting out.. IMO... you are making a big mistake by only going after commercial work...

Better to go after anything electrical that you can do and put money in your pocket....

Once you are loaded with work.. maybe then get picky about what direction you want to go in...

I ended up closing because I made that mistake. Ate through savings for a year and a half before I gave up and took a job as a license qualifier. If I had spent more time accepting residential customers instead of chasing commercial jobs a year from breaking ground, I'd have made a decent amount of money.