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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My experience over the years as an electrical
contractor is that GC’s charge the owner 15% to manage your sub trade. Over the
years we’ve done mostly large scale electrical. When entering the Solar
industry in 1999 we started doing residential with a few commercial installs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The same rule applied as with the
commercial solar – the GC added 15% to the sub contract price and passed it on.
This should be the practice on residential construction when there is a general
contractor involved. Technically you’re working for the GC and he interfaces
with the homeowner unless he wants you to do that directly.....<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Max Balchowsky<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>SEE Systems<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Joel Davidson<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, January 30, 2009
8:21 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches] general
contractors taking a cut...</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>With only a few exceptions, every general,
electrical, and roofing contractor I have worked with, taught, or "partnered"
on a job that needed PV either stopped offering PV, stopped
giving me referrals, or went into competition with me. The exceptions
are a good friends. Some lessons learned: PV attracts lone wolves
who, by nature, are competitive and nurture trustworthy friendships.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Joel Davidson</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"Cultivate your garden." Voltaire</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:jryago@netscape.com" title="jryago@netscape.com">Jeff Yago</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"
title="re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Thursday, January
29, 2009 8:38 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Re: [RE-wrenches]
general contractors taking a cut...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>We have tried this before but never seems to work out,
although we have worked with several general contractors or architects to
coordinate a solar installation the owner purchased direct from us and we had
to install during construction.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Here is what usually happens - The contractor says, give us
a good deal and we can sell your systems in almost every house we sell.
Then they pick your brains, learn all your installation tricks, and you are
left out in the cold. If they are on the up and up, they usually do
realize the new homeowner will never be able to add another 25% to their loan
to add the solar, so they never sell any systems as part of new
construction. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>My best advice is to advise the homeowner what empty conduit
to ask their builder to install before enclosing the walls and give you a call
if they want to purchase a system direct from you now or later.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A typical new home has a general contractor, who hires
a back-hoe operator to clear the lot and install the footers, a block
layer to lay the foundation or fireplace block, stone, a carpenter to frame the
walls, or brick a plumber to install the plumbing, a roofer to install the
roofing, a drywall contractor to install the drywall, a painting contractor to
paint, an audio/video service to run the phone and video wiring, a kitchen
specialist to design and install the kitchen and bath cabinets, a counter-top
contractor to cut and install the counter-tops, a trip carpenter to install
doors, windows, and baseboard trim, and a flooring contractor to install the
wood floors and carpet,. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>So what is so different that a contractor can't
contract with you to design and install a solar system if the client wants
one? You can always market to the public in your area to create the
demand, and sooner or later the contractors will see its good business to team
up with you when they need you. Leave some brochures in his sales office
and tell him he can mention he works with a good local solar installer if they
want lower utility bills. This might help him sell more homes without you
having to keep buying cases of Scotch.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Yago Rule # 36 - Beware of general contractors bearing
gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Netscape. Just the Net You Need.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
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