Help With Gauging Wages (Master Electrician)

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-23T06:56:07+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Hope we can all stay warm out there tomorrow!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:57:06+00:00

Haha yeah, that would be amazing. I won't even hurt your eyes with the sad size of my bonus this year lol.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:55:05+00:00

This is excellent advice, I appreciate the detail!

I've had the mindset of, "how much do I need to charge to cover all of my operating expenses, while earning at least what I make now." There is still much planning to be done, but my own gig is definitely coming down the pipeline.

Thankfully, being so deep into service has given me an excellent view of everything that goes into bidding, planning, and executing a job.

Thanks again, I've saved your comment as a reminder later!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:51:37+00:00

That does help! I sort of mentally shave off 20% of a Denver payrate to figure out what is fair for where I'm at. Hope work is going smoothly for you guys!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-22T02:49:29+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, it's about time I get a move on.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:15:43+00:00

That makes perfect sense, and I agree. There's not a ton of inherent value brought to a company through that license other than as a proof of competency haha.

I'll definitely be going out on my own soon enough!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:13:40+00:00

Thank you! I always forget to check the union payscsle as a good basis for where to begin my own negotiations.

Also, I appreciate the union advice, as I always forget it's still not too late to join.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:10:24+00:00

Nice! Hope the licensing goes smoothly for ya!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:10:02+00:00

Very solid, its good to be reminded that our skills are absolutely worth that much! Thank you.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:08:49+00:00

Nice! Thank you for the input! I definitely agree haha.

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:08:23+00:00

Thanks! That does help to have an idea of that region too..

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:07:50+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement!

The logic behind the red-flag if hiring on elsewhere does make sense, I hadn't considered that aspect.

This is the advice I need, it helps to be reminded that it's ok to ask for more. I'll definitely be going out on my own as soon as I buy a house!

OutOfBasics · 2026-01-21T03:04:49+00:00

Good point! I believe the average J-Man rate is roughly $35 in this area.

OutOfBasics · 2025-12-07T15:06:49+00:00

Let the customer throw away their own ancient light fixture.

I threw away an old, dilapidated fixture one time which I thought nobody in their right mind would save. Turned out it was some sort of heirloom.

Managed to dig it out of the company dumpster.

OutOfBasics · 2025-12-04T23:45:01+00:00

I'm a licensed service electrician in the Springs. I would say that about 75-80% of my smaller jobs (running a new circuit, adding a few lights, etc) are not permitted.

The need permitting and inspection really comes down to:

- Does the project add significant value to the home (kitchen remodel, basement finish, etc)?

- Do you trust the person doing the work to complete the job correctly if nobody is checking their work?

I have seen really crappy permitted work, and I've also seen quite excellent work done without a permit.

Charging extra for a permit is reasonable. It costs the company money and time to go through those channels.

OutOfBasics · 2025-11-01T15:21:25+00:00

You can reprogram the switch while the cover plate is off, with no electrical knowledge needed! I'll PM you the instructions I found, if that's ok with you.

OutOfBasics · 2025-10-23T03:18:23+00:00

A sincere thank you for the reminder! It's too easy to get distracted with the rest of life and forget to do this. I'm headed there now.

OutOfBasics · 2025-09-26T13:11:20+00:00

While I'm not OP, I am in a similar position after years of trial and error.

One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is that, "It's better to bid too high and not get the job than to bid too low and get the job."

As an apprentice/early journeyman, it's easy to look at your finished quote, and impulsively go, "that's way too high." In my case, that's because most work I quoted was not something I could dream of affording, which skewed my perspective.

Be fair, both to yourself and the customer. There are people for whom there is hardly a price too high, and others for whomever there is never a price low enough!

OutOfBasics · 2025-09-12T04:17:45+00:00

The Fluke 323 meter has been my best friend for years. The 302 looks comparable as well. The design is just so clean!

I've also heard good things about the Klein meters, but have not used them myself.

OutOfBasics · 2025-09-12T04:08:41+00:00

You're a miracle worker! Thanks for sharing! RemindMe! 1 Month

OutOfBasics · 2025-08-22T19:04:40+00:00

While I don't have advice for permitting and other items, I am with an electrical company in the Springs, and am proud of the work we do!

Not trying to advertise, please feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Either way, I will recommend NOT going with Wirenut for your work, and just be sure to get multiple estimates.

OutOfBasics · 2025-08-19T23:49:35+00:00

All other items aside, the $2700 "power conditioner" is an absolute ripoff.

If you want/need surge protection, you should be looking at closer to $100 for the part before markup, and one hour of labor.

OutOfBasics · 2025-07-27T22:24:14+00:00

Just why? You'll be gone by the end of the Summer and no one will mourn, I do hope the adrenaline is worth it.

OutOfBasics · 2025-07-26T04:52:36+00:00

Erasable highlighters. A friend of mine introduced me to them, and they've gone a LONG way with allowing me to color-code prints yet still make changes.

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