Independent journal · Est. 2004
Written for licensed contractors in Australia
Australia
The independent journal for licensed electrical contractors in Australia
How electrical businesses stay solvent: quoting, apprentices, running a one-van outfit and stocking a modern trade vehicle.
The quote that wins is often the quote that forgot attendance, isolation and the board you have not opened yet. Preliminaries, prime-cost items and a refusal to lump-sum a renovation you cannot see are how a contracting business stays solvent.
Read Pricing electrical jobs without going broke on the variations
A contractor licence, a van and a phone will take work. They will not, by themselves, make a business that can pay super, replace a stolen tester and still say no to a live board. This is the operating picture for a sole electrical contractor who wants to still like the trade in five years.
An apprentice is not cheap labour with a training contract stapled to them. Supervision, a record of work, capstone, and a host employer who actually teaches are how you produce a licensed electrician — and how you keep one past third year.
Read Hiring and supervising electrical apprentices without losing the plot
A van that can earn is a calibration date, a spare RCD, a documentation kit and the discipline not to buy a gadget because an ad said “true RMS”. Testers, PPE, consumables and theft are the kit list that still matters after the unboxing video ends.
Read Tools of the trade: what a modern electrical van actually needs