Does anybody know how to successfully get an electrical company off the ground that's just starting out?

Question

My husband has owned his own Electrical Contracting business for a year now - and thanks to this lovely economy... Work is soooo slow. We advertise in a local newspaper and have an ad in the phonebook but we are in desperate means to find new methods for work. We don't have a lot of money so any advice on affordable ways to "Get our Name" out there would help. Also, what are some of the things that make you choose one electrician over another one? I greatly appreciate any help and advice you can give!

Answer 1

Try using shock tactics

Answer 2

One great way is to talk to your local newspaper if you don't live in a big city and maybe ask to do a small column on tips and tricks about electrical usage and so on.

I was planning to do something similar when I was starting my computer business back in the day.

Answer 3

I'm assuming he is a residential contractor, or residential and light commercial.  If that's the case, try to hook up with some local renovation guys--new work may be slow in your area, but renovation and repairs are always happening.  A number of these guys just want to do the carpentry and maybe some flooring and want to farm out the plumbing, electrical and painting.  I have friends on both sides of that equation and none of them have missed a l**k of late.

Answer 4

Things that would make me choose one contractor over another.

Time, Money, Work is neat and straight (ran parallel and perpendicular to walls and studs).

The residential market is really slow right now and don't expect it to pick up anytime soon. He should get into doing renovations, or try and land a contract with a landlord of multiple apartment complexs. Apartment complexs are always having problems and need upgrades. He could also join a crew that flops houses.

Answer 5

I am a master electrician,,, The way i get/got alot  of my work was by stopping at every job site i saw and handing out  cards... If I saw a general contractor truck i would go up and introduce myself and give him a card.....

Talk to the guys at the supply house tell them you will give a 25 dollar gift card or something like that for every referral.

Talk to the older semi retired electricians in town,, tell them you need work. They may use you to help with a job that is too big for them and maybe give you a few jobs they cant handle once they trust your work

Basically  make sure EVERYONE in your town that is some how involved with construction knows you are an electrician and you are available.  Don't be too proud to say you are slow and need work.

My biggest mistake was trying to get customers by being the lowest bidder on every project or trying to get everyone a great deal, Yes you will get a lot of customers. But you end up with a list of 100 names of people that don't like to pay.

It takes about 5 years to get established....

But you will always feel like you have no security for the future but too many things you need to do today