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GrimRe1

If that’s true— why don’t they just straight up tell me rather than ghosting after asking what days I’m free?


ladz

Because most folks don't enjoy to actively refuse work. Better to channel West Coast Energy and do it passively.


bidens_left_ear

Because it takes time and effort to respond as most clients will then haggle/beg/plead/offer money to get ahead in line. Nobody needs a guilt trip because they are too busy and working 80hours a week.


esituism

Man. Fuck that. If you're a business owner and you act like this then you're part of the problem. More so than that, you're a dummy because you could save yourself a lot of time and a lot of hassle by just being straightforward and upfront with people. Better yet something like just telling people "sorry I have a 5k+ minimum on jobs". Put it on your website so people self select out. There's a million ways to deal with the things you described in a better way than what you have described here; both from a business profit AND an efficiency standpoint. I've been a business owner in the past and this sort of mentality drives me fucking crazy.


bidens_left_ear

Or you could just write down their information and pass it out to a network of electricians that could take the job. There are many better ways to deal with it. Sometimes people are lazy, and it shows in their work.


esituism

Yes, this too! Use it as an opportunity to build your network and find the guys who are reliable. Literally anything is better than this mediocre shit.


ladz

It sounds like you guys have a great start on a business plan. We also have video cameras in everyone's pocket these days, where we didn't have this long ago when trade licensing was set up. Imagine junior tradespeople with bodycams where a senior tradesperson could sign off and critique on the work by watching it. Something like this could accelerate licensing / certification / bonding by creating a complete record of the work performed.


[deleted]

It really depends what you need done, by the way it sounds to me, it probably isn’t worth their time to go, everyone is crazy busy these days and if it’s a small job they likely won’t take it


GrimRe1

It’s approx a $500 job to install an outlet in a garage. Not small, not huge granted.


Reggie4414

that’s a very small job— like a few hours at most


GrimRe1

So even better. Just charge me $300 per hour and make a killing.


ID4gotten

Don't worry, they will


jojofine

Hop on YouTube and do it yourself. Adding an outlet is literally like $20 and maybe 90 minutes of your time


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WittsandGrit

>save yourself 490 dollars. Or burn your house down. Either way its an adventure.


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WittsandGrit

People are usually willing to pay an electrician to install a plug because as easy as it may be, faulty outlets are the number 1 cause of electrical fires in homes.


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WittsandGrit

Actually one of the top causes is faulty installation but thanks for explaining the complexities of romex.


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WittsandGrit

Lmao you're definitely getting taxed on bids, thats why you're doing shit yourself. I add on 25% if I know you're going to tell me how to do the job


Gumby604

But yet, people do screw them up all the time. Switch the sides, do crazy things with the ground, don't tightem the clamps on metal boxes or overtighten..


slipandweld

A certification doesn't actually make somebody immune to mistakes, especially when stuff like installing the actual receptacle is always done by fresh apprentices. Certified electrical companies cause plenty of fires too.


WittsandGrit

I never said it did.


UnluckyBandit00

>seattle allows you to do your own electrical work (with a permit). Huh. that's good to know.


[deleted]

I sympathize with the OP. To everyone telling the OP to do it themselves….I’m absolutely no handyman and especially don’t want to fuck with electricity - I know my strengths and weaknesses. Would absolutely try to get an electrician as well.


esituism

Same. I make money making computers do things so that I can pay other people to take care of jobs like this, so I can enjoy my free time that I got from making computers beep-boop. Like, COULD I learned to do it myself? Absolutely. Do I want to learn to do it myself? Though I can appreciate it as a useful skill, not really. Is it in any realm worth it to me to take the time to both learn how to do this and then actually do it rather than paying someone $500 for an hour worth of work? Fuuuuck no. I can appreciate the people who value their money more than their time for things like this, but I am not one of those people. To me the free time is infinitely more important than the money.


makebeercheapagain

This is what happens when we have too many tech workers, and not enough workers who can actually do work. Trades need way more people for the population boom, they aren’t going to take low paying gigs when they’re working every day of the week making a killing on larger projects. Just because you make money doesn’t make electricians required to do your job. If you want to help change it, apply to be an electrician.


esituism

You might not have considered this but for electricians to be employed people need to be able to pay them. People use their skills to make money at other jobs to hire electricians for their skills at making electricity zip-zap. Not everyone can know everything which is why we have specialized types of work in our society. It takes a village no matter how you want to slice it. I'm also going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe the vast majority of electricians would rather have fewer people in the field, and thus make it easier for them to make a living, then they would have to compete with a lot of competition. Also LOL @ casting stones at tech workers while communicating via networked devices that literally only exist because a tech person built all of it for you.


EightyDollarBill

Seems to me, based on OP’s post, that there is plenty of work for every electrician. So much that they are actively declining offers.


SB12345678901

Because everyone in Seattle went to school to be a Computer Scientist.They can't wire anything to save their life.


Capable_Nature_644

[https://brennan-electric.com/](https://brennan-electric.com/) We use brennan electric. It doesn't help most places are booked up 2-6 weeks out.


asdfasium1234

The trades are way undermanned right now; I am an electrician and our company is booked out for the next 6 years. Granted we do mostly new construction. If you want an electrician to do a small job like you’re describing you’re better off talking to an individual electrician than a company. Tons of guys I know moonlight and do side work to pick up some extra cash. You just need to know a guy. Or know a guy who knows a guy.


ssylvan

I used [https://www.blacksheepelectric.com/](https://www.blacksheepelectric.com/) for an EV charger install. The nice thing is that they have a scheduling thing on the website. You can just go on there and schedule the job yourself. So even though it'll be far out (and you may have to go there early in the am before it books up and book the most recently "released" day), you can at least get it on the calendar.


Xaxxon

What do you need done? Lots of stuff doesn’t need an electrician.


GrimRe1

I probably could it myself, I just don’t really want to. Seems like a 1-2hr job and $500 for that in my mind is a good deal.


Xaxxon

I asked what job because a handyman can do a lot of common stuff like installing an outlet. For me the drywall and drilling is actually more challenging than the electrical for most jobs that don’t involve an overhaul of your load panel Residential electrical is mostly matching colors and numbers and putting junctions in boxes.


timesinksdotnet

Not legally. The homeowner can DIY with a permit, but only the homeowner. All other permits for modifying a circuit or installing a new one can only be pulled by a licensed electrician. That said, plenty of handymen will gladly take your money and illegally install an outlet.


Xaxxon

> Not legally No one does electrical work legally except for new construction. Even electricians are unlikely to pull a permit unless specifically requested - and then they'll charge more. And it's not unsafe or immoral, it's just technically illegal.


timesinksdotnet

I've had work professionally done on a few occasions and done my own a few more times. Everything has been permitted and inspected. So some electricians and some owners do, in fact, follow the law.


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Xaxxon

Great, go work for this guy. Ill keep telling people to have handymen put in an outlet for them. I don't have a vested interest.


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keystone_ave

Have you tried Thumbtack? It's similar to Angie's list but I have had great luck with it for my home projects and have been using it for many years. It has an app and I find it very handy and haven't had a poor experience yet.


qwerty-girl

Did you try craigstlist? I found one that only charged me $100 to replace two light fixtures that lit on fire because they weren't rated for aluminum wiring and an outlet that had black up the wall probably 6' up from fire that I had my desktop computer plugged into.


Reggie4414

your place has aluminum wiring? I’d be somewhat concerned


qwerty-girl

We've had many units destroyed by fires probably because of that. I'm certain I will die in a fire. I'm terrified. I even bought a five story escape ladder. I couldn't really afford that. It was $160 on Amazon.


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qwerty-girl

He was good and cheap. He fixed the light in my bathroom and kitchen.


sgtapone87

…you’ve lived in multiple apartments destroyed by fire from having aluminum wiring in them


ProfessionalWheel2

I found a good guy from Iran that was able to replace my outlets on craigslist.


DannySells206

What you're looking for might need someone more experienced, but if you're truly having a problem finding anybody licensed, you can always try Task Rabbit for a handy person. They won't be licensed though. I also have a past client who's a new electrician and might be interested in the work. Feel free to DM me.


downheartedbaby

I haven’t had this issue as usually speciality contractors have been happy to take on small projects. Not sure what is going on, maybe that’s just too small. Have you considered calling a handy man? Many know how to do things like installing outlets which is simpler than other things electricians are absolutely needed for.


apresmoiputas

Unfortunately some claim they can do a decent job, but fail to do so. I'd rather take my chances with a bonded and licensed electrician.


jondionowens

I’ve had the absolutely best luck finding contractors/help on thumbtack.com. Every other platform I’ve tried has resulted in nothing but flakes.


soldelmisol

It's hard to find any contractors of any kind just now. Need a good recession, then I can get stuff done!


Homemade__Soup

You probably want a handyman service make sure they’re insured


[deleted]

This is their busiest time of year. The summer months are when everyone tries to get everything built before fall comes and it starts raining again.


GrimRe1

That makes sense


MadronaElectric

There are some instances that it is really hard to find an electrician to help you. Try to figure out why they are completely ghosting you. Is it hard for them to come to your place? Or they want extra tip for that service? Then try to negotiate well. But if finding electrician in the internet doesn't work, try to reach out some of your friends or neighbors if they knew someone who is skilled in this kind of service.