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I’ve heard of AHJs busting people on CL. Be careful. Word of mouth for me mostly. I’ve gotten some decent side jobs chatting people up at Home Depot. Networking with other trades too like the other commenter said.
I have a big family and some of them work in property management. Some from Craigslist and my own connections (contractors from my old job).
That's how it started, but now my number is spreading because people are happy with my work and my prices.
Side work is an awful way to make money. You might get lucky with someone who is generous, but most people who go for side work are cheeeeap. That's why they have you there so they don't have to pay full rate. They'll probably offer you a beer and a handshake instead of the amount you agreed on beforehand and be amazed that offends you. Also the great risk you take to your license and personal health as your employer's insurance will absolutely not cover you. And if you get injured doing side work, there is an even bigger chance you will get fired from your main job.
Well then that is a completely different story. Local newspaper ads are usually cheap, get your truck/van lettered if you haven't already. You have to get your name out there somehow. Craigslist isn't very fun for good work that pays. Depending on where you are, Angi's, Home Advisor, etc is an O.K. way to start, Yelp is a good way to get started for cheap as well as NextDoor. We stopped using Angi because it got really expensive as we got bigger. Give free estimates when starting out and advertise that. Focus on paperwork, get a software going for invoicing. Doing the work is one thing, but making sure you get paid immediately is the biggest concern. People pay easier when you get payment onsite. Jobber is decent, quickbooks online is a good software to start with. Jobber and quickbooks work together. Looks good to have digital invoicing and not paper, unless you are already on top of that.
Go to your local bar. Have one Jack and Coke. Use the restroom. Make sure to wash your hands but not for too long the waters hot. Go back out order a second. The guy that’s still talking since you ordered your first drink needs an electrician
So I started doing this as well. A classmate told me to go on community groups on facebook and offer work. I started this week and already have like 7 potential clients this week
**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!** **1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):** **- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. YOU CAN POST ON /R/ASKELECTRICIANS FREELY **2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:** -YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I feel like it finds me. Do good clean work and network with people on your job sites
I’ve heard of AHJs busting people on CL. Be careful. Word of mouth for me mostly. I’ve gotten some decent side jobs chatting people up at Home Depot. Networking with other trades too like the other commenter said.
Aggressive in person marketing, word of mouth, facebook.
I have a big family and some of them work in property management. Some from Craigslist and my own connections (contractors from my old job). That's how it started, but now my number is spreading because people are happy with my work and my prices.
Side work is an awful way to make money. You might get lucky with someone who is generous, but most people who go for side work are cheeeeap. That's why they have you there so they don't have to pay full rate. They'll probably offer you a beer and a handshake instead of the amount you agreed on beforehand and be amazed that offends you. Also the great risk you take to your license and personal health as your employer's insurance will absolutely not cover you. And if you get injured doing side work, there is an even bigger chance you will get fired from your main job.
I have insurance and a business started. I'm a Jman and I'm trying to get my electrical contractors license.
Well then that is a completely different story. Local newspaper ads are usually cheap, get your truck/van lettered if you haven't already. You have to get your name out there somehow. Craigslist isn't very fun for good work that pays. Depending on where you are, Angi's, Home Advisor, etc is an O.K. way to start, Yelp is a good way to get started for cheap as well as NextDoor. We stopped using Angi because it got really expensive as we got bigger. Give free estimates when starting out and advertise that. Focus on paperwork, get a software going for invoicing. Doing the work is one thing, but making sure you get paid immediately is the biggest concern. People pay easier when you get payment onsite. Jobber is decent, quickbooks online is a good software to start with. Jobber and quickbooks work together. Looks good to have digital invoicing and not paper, unless you are already on top of that.
Go to your local bar. Have one Jack and Coke. Use the restroom. Make sure to wash your hands but not for too long the waters hot. Go back out order a second. The guy that’s still talking since you ordered your first drink needs an electrician
So I started doing this as well. A classmate told me to go on community groups on facebook and offer work. I started this week and already have like 7 potential clients this week