Who are you, and what do you do?
Jim Chiapuzio….Electrical contractor in southern Calif.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
Always be on time and show up and never overcharge but make a fair but good amount for your work. Always return phone calls as fast as possible.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
Luckily I have not made any serious mistakes in this area but have seen a lot. When giving a price quote always look closely at the prints and when giving a price quote always describe what you are providing exactly. And payment schedule. And make sure you provide the type of materials that have quoted.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
More advanced lighting. Opportunities will mostly be in lighting. We have recently been seeing the replacement of fluorescent lights to LED. And will continue to evolve into the next advancement.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
On how much to charge for your service. I see some very qualified and gifted Electrical contractors charge too little for work and then as a result go out of business. And some try and get away with charging too much and then never getting that next job. You need to charge enough to make a fair price for your work.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
To too much work.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
NEC (national electrical code) I would say at least have one when you need to look up any electrical questions.
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Well my kind of work does not require a diploma. But I would say once you get you License always be willing to work for somebody else by the hour until you get busy.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
Better to be looking at it instead of for it. Meaning when measuring out wire for a run it is better to pull a little too much than not enough because that will cause a lot more material cost and not to mention labor as well.