Electical Contractor

For contractors who want to get into or expand their presence in low-voltage work, who better to learn from than contractors who have decades of experience in these kinds of projects? Two such contractors are Robert Ford, Ph.D., P.E., president of Robert Ford Electric Co.

The last energy services column (January 2012) introduced an 11-step energy services project delivery process. Electrical contractors can follow the process systematically, thereby developing a comprehensive program to help their customers identify and achieve energy and sustainability goals.

When the recession deepened, many contracting businesses depleted liquidity. As markets recover, now is an appropriate time to review investment strategies for rebuilding lost wealth. This month, we take a look at a common investment vehicle and one system for selecting products.

Surveying the current state of his market, Phil Rose, president of Milwaukee-based Roman Electric Co. Inc., painted a not-so-rosy picture.

Leading construction experts and economists are certain about one thing in construction right now: The future is mostly uncertain because consumers are scared, and too many Americans are unemployed. Economists see 2012 as a big question mark because of the risk of a double-dip recession.

Recent economic forecasts offer some hope for electrical contractors in 2012. As market conditions improve, it is more important than ever to avoid common contractor mistakes. Ensure you are alert to these business killers, and you will focus on ways to guarantee your success in the coming year.

As the telecom and power industries become more sophisticated, so do the demands of electrical contractors. Fortunately, the tools and equipment contractors rely on are in step with these changes and just in time for the holidays.

The codes that affect your day-to-day business change every three years. The frequency of changes makes it difficult to stay abreast of the countless revisions that occur each code cycle. Coupled with rapid changes in technology, staying current becomes challenging.

Legend has it that, at the turn of the 20th century, the Chicago department store magnate Marshall Field instructed his salespeople that the customer is always right.