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I beg to differ regarding pricing differences between here and naples... In EVERY case when I quote jobs, Naples contractors are higher in cost than I am. I see exactly the opposite as regards cost differences in quotes for work. As far as what contractors charge for repair work as it compares with new installation work of electrical or mechanical devices, with the costs of Workers comp, liability insurance, vehicle costs, gas, overhead, IRS commitments, non-billable time and the like, The average contractor with a service truck and an experienced technician in that truck running in the field "COSTS" the business over $100.00 per hour to keep that technician and truck in the field. The average mechanical or electrical contractor runs his/her business with an average of 5% to 7% net profit on a national average. Most large corporations would rather shut down their companies than try and live on such a small net profit. hell, I can point to hundreds of investors on this island that would laugh at a 7% return on their investment, why would you feel we should run our businesses at a lower profit that maybe you did in your life? They certainly didn't purchase the homes they live in with that sort of net return on their investments.

i do not know what your experience has been with contractors on this island, but other than a select few that I know of who are known for being way out of line in pricing, most of us are very fair in our pricing. I would suggest you compare more the next time you look for a price to complete work. You might just find that many of the contractors on Marco do not define the rule of high prices you speak of.

As concerns the idea that "all contractors charge too much", all i can say is that laws, codes, safety requirements and the cost of doing business are all factors we must take into account when quoting a job. To stay in business, we need to make a profit. I for one feel most of us complete that goal in a fair and equitable manner. I would hope you try and "invest and support" your local economy and keep these things in mind the next time you look for professional services.