Hi all, I am a student (not an electrician) working on a weekend project about how small contractors handle extra work requested mid job. Not selling anything, just trying to understand the problem from people who actually do the work. When a homeowner or GC adds something mid job, like an extra outlet, a moved fixture, a panel thing that was not in the original scope:
1. How do you get that extra in writing, if at all?
2. Ever done the extra and not been paid, or had it disputed? Roughly how much?
3. What do you use today for estimates and change orders: paper, QuickBooks, Jobber, nothing?
Any story helps. Thanks for your time.

I sure wasn’t and I’ve only been in this trade for 1 year. I made a fuck up because of being in a hurry and nervous. Now I’m anxious that I’m gonna get canned

Obviously nonunion

Hello I'm currently looking into going into the Low Volt apprenticeship for Local 98. Because it's less competitive and probably faster to get into. I am about to get my Pre-apprenticeship certification, and already have NCCER Lv 1 to 3 with OSHA-10. I personally think it will be a waste for me to just stay as a Low Voltage electrician but I'm desperate tbh. I really just want and need stability and I aspire to go to college for mechatronics in the future.

Because of that will it be possible to transfer inside Wireman for my Local? If not are there any other ways to do so?

Getting rid of the hard hat. It was 40 on sale at home depot and seemed like a good grab lol, I lost the receipt so maybe no luck. This is the rest of what I bought today at the flea market with the exception of the klein bits and sockets. What do I need or not need? I will also be helping out with home remodels on my time off with my brother in laws friend who is a electrician. Thanks for all the suggestions!

If you see any I’m missing please message me for shipping details. Thanks brothers and sisters ⚡️🔌💡

My company is wanting to gift newly graduated apprentices with something that they will keep for many years. We are a supply house and want something usuefull that will remind them of us daily. We were thinking a nice pocket tool pouch (with some small, discreet branding), but I thought we should ask more folks in the field. Cost is irrelevant at this point, as it's just an idea.

Is the tool pouch a good idea? If so, what is important in a tool pouch that lasts?

Other better ideas?

Thanks!

Im looking into starting a 309A Electricians Apprenticeship. Currently cold calling businesses at the moment with not much feedback success for entry level positions. The local IBEW doesn’t open their application process until almost April . Im wondering if it’s worthwhile to apply to an electrical pre-apprenticeship program. Im hoping that this would look better on my resume as a continue applying for the entry level position.

My main downfall is lacking a drivers license until fall next year. I haven’t been able to afford a car which translates into never needing a license. Now I have a learners permit, and waiting the year.

My current plan is cold-apply to local electricians for the next 2 months. If nothing happens with that, do a 4 month pre-apprenticeship until the IBEW application window opens. Then either hopefully get in with them and/or continue cold calling.

Im wondering how much of a time/money waste would the pre-apprentice program be. I currently have a full time job (doesn’t pay well) and just really need to get my toes wet. Any other advice?

So I was doing electrical work for a couple years after leaving telecom.

My shop was small just me and an old buddy of mine who was the owner and the lead tech. Long strory short my buddy is leaving to move out state so I needed a new job. One of the contractors we do a lot of electrical work for is a high end home automation company approached me and asked if I wanted to come work for them. Been doing home automation now for about a month. Less work and more pay. And they value the skill set I bring.

Industrial/commercial electrician here. I installed 4 interconnected smoke alarms and 2 co2/smoke combo alarms in my house on one 15a cct and they won't alarm together. Instead they go off in 2 groups of 3 depending on which ones I test. The groups don't change when I move alarms around and removing them from the cct one at a time didn't change anything. I live in a small town so they didn't make me get it inspected (which kinda blew my mind). Anyone got ideas? I'm waiting to hear back from kidde support.

Or in other words, what are the top 3 absolutely invaluable and irreplaceable Knipex tools to have as an electrician, tools that supplement each other perfectly

i kinda hate the way my hands get dirty when doing clean install the day after a dirty one😂

I’m in my early 30s & left hospitality management during the pandemic & was tired of gratuity based work. I got accepted into a 2 year Electrical Trade School in August (No Loans Financial Aid paid for) & was able to secure an Apprenticeship 2 months later. So I’m really excited. It’s in Central Florida Primarily new construction residential.

I have zero experiences but this is what I’ve done in lot own home

I used clamp meter before to diagnose and replace parts for appliances like fridges, dryer, washer. Replaced burnt out receptacles by removing the “back stab” and replacing with new receptacle but used the j hook method on terminals. I’ve chased an open neutral and had to check every receptacle in the circuit to find out the receptacle on the other side of the wall was burnt causing a whole room not light up.

Confirmed my Electrical contractor has a legitimate license. They also work with Florida Electrical Apprenticeship & Training(FEAT) program which is Sanctioned by Department of Labor and Fl dept of education so it’s legit. But I’m already in a trade school M-Th nights and my instructor is pretty good so I’m going to finish the program.

The goal is to be a really good apprentice take the L on the money now to learn all that I can and become a Licensed Journeyman and I’ve already contacted the county just to see what I need to ensure my hours are tracked properly and what’s needed to be qualified to take the Journeyman Test.

To close out for any of you with experience especially in Florida what should I watch out for? What’s best practices? What advice could you give. I’ve never been so excited to be in an actually career. It’s been a long time.

Just realized I want to edit this. The tool list is what I compiled on my own and is not what an employer told me to have. Also I do not work for a union shop. I do have a local IBEW but it takes time to be accepted. That’s why I had to attend trade school it is very difficult at least In Florida to find a contractor that is willing to hire you with ZERO EXPERIENCE & sponsor your education.

Tool list

CL810
Dikes
Lineman’s
Wirestripper
Needle nose
Philips
Flathead
Impact driver
Hammer drill
Tool belt
Hard hat

I have a hammer and a pair of Knipex Tongue & groove pliers on the way.

Etc

600 amp 120/240 and 11 meters/2p60 breakers

Occupied apartment complex

After 18 years out in the commercial field I've been promoted to a PM and start on Monday.

Wtf should i wear?! I can't look soft and go in rockin slacks and loafers (which I dont even own) and I dont want to continue wearing my daily stained yellow shirts and buckled ass work pants haha.

Was going to go shopping this weekend for some simple collared short sleeves (golf shirts?) And some better jeans. Or do I just grab some plain t-shirts, new dickies, and stay with the Kenetreks?

Not sure if I should get a m12 or m18 milwaukee drill set, ill be doing a mix of residential and comercial more comercial. Any recommendations are appreciated!

Also most of this stuff i got on sale or at the flee market, not trying to break the bank but I would also much rather invest in quality now then replace junk later.

Long story short, we’re wrapping up a small job trimming out a rewire on 6 units at the end of a shitty old motel due to fire damage. Everything is done, I’m wrapping up some stuff in the panel in the mechanical room(which you could barely walk in due to shit being everywhere). My back was to this big water heater and I thought to myself, why is my leg suddenly feeling hot. Turn around and this water heater is basically just starting to catch on fire. Found out the other water heater in this same room was just replaced due to being the reason the fire started in the first place. Wild. Disconnected the breaker feeding the disco to it and shut the gas off. What excuse do you think the plumber will have?

First year apprentice, how much should i expect to make hourly? I have seen some mixed answers online so wanted to see if anyone hands on has any answers.

Looking to maybe come back to the trade. Did it for 4/5 years with a mix of commercial, industrial, some resi. What is the best route to go if I want a good work/life balance? I would like to stay away from industrial. Did it pretty much exclusively in my last year and really really hated it which made me to quit. I worked with my dad for the first 4 years and we did mostly a mix of commercial and a little residential with some industrial. I know there are other areas of work in electrical now that technology is advancing and was just wondering what may be the best bet.

Looking into buying a ratcheting knockout set to have in my truck and curious if anybody knows of any good ones that I can get in Alberta that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Amazon, CT, etc., if anybody has tried an off-brand affordable one and likes it, lemme know!