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A Tradeout

CStanford | Posted in Help/Work Wanted on December 20, 2006 04:26am

I live in Memphis.  I’ve made my living for the past several years as a furnituremaker (had to get my artistic Jones off).  Prior to that I was a practicing CPA with both public and private accounting experience – Big Four firms, FedEx, company controllership – the whole works.   Lots of audit and accounting experience with construction contractors.  You name it, I’ve seen it and done it.  Chapter 11 workouts, IPO’s, taking public companies private, SEC audits, IRS audits (hairy ones at that), the whole nine yards.

I’m still working furniture commissions, but I’d really like to get on a residential framing crew as a helper.  My wife and I would like to build a house at some point, and I’d like to get somewhat up-to-speed so that we don’t have to pick out an ‘easy’ house to build down the road.  I want to learn what you know.

Here’s the deal – you pay me the regular wage for a helper on your crew.  I’ll bust my a$$.  I’ll bust it, really.  I’m 45 but in good shape.  You’ll get your accounting done for nothing.  Whatever you need – monthly financials, year-end package for the bank, contractor’s license audit (or review), of course all entity and individual tax returns.  Like you can frame in your sleep, I can do accounting in mine.  My TN CPA license is active and in good standing.  There’s nothing I can’t handle for you or figure out.  Payroll?  Done.  Anything you need.  You’ll get a very, very motivated helper and all the accounting you can stand basically for nothing.  I can pull my weight as a helper.

My goal would be to learn enough and be effective enough for you to want to make me a lead-man.


Edited 12/19/2006 9:15 pm ET by CStanford


Edited 12/19/2006 9:20 pm ET by CStanford

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  1. User avater
    cyb | Dec 20, 2006 04:33am | #1

    Man I wish I was in a spot to take you up on that. Should be a heck of a deal for someone. Good luck.

    1. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 04:36am | #2

      Thanks....if you ever need help with your accounting let me know.  All I ask is an opportunity to pick your brain.

      Edited 12/19/2006 8:40 pm ET by CStanford

      1. User avater
        cyb | Dec 20, 2006 04:57am | #5

        Sorry, pickin' my brain wouldn't help. It's been ten years since I worked on a framing crew and it wasn't a good one.

        I grew up outside of Memphis, moved away bout 15 years ago, but I was wonderin. The mayor fighting Joe Frazier, wtf?!! I never heard who won though.

        1. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 05:00am | #6

          I saw the pre-fight stuff on T.V. but was out-of-town for the fight.  Mayor Herenton was a pro boxer when he was a lot younger, but I think he 'lost' the fight.  It was a charity fundraiser deal.

          1. User avater
            cyb | Dec 20, 2006 05:06am | #8

            Couldn't remember the mayor's name. I thought Harenton, then I thiught that was the school superintendant. When I heard about it I first thoght Frazier would kill him then they showed Frazier and I was scared he'd need a walker in the ring with him.

            I guess they both came out ok.

          2. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 05:09am | #9

            He was superintendent of the Memphis city school system but has been mayor for about eight years now I guess...

            Edited 12/19/2006 9:09 pm ET by CStanford

          3. User avater
            cyb | Dec 20, 2006 05:22am | #10

            What's the residential const. mkt doing around there? A relative of mine made it sound like memphis was gonna spread all the way to Fayette county, but he tends to exaggerate.

            The area framers arent speaking up tonight I guess

          4. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 05:27am | #11

            It's in Fayette County now.  It's shaping up to be just like Atlanta for the most part - McMansions and gated subdivisions galore in the counties surrounding Shelby County and in Shelby County but outside the city limits of Memphis.  But, average homes on estate-size lots in Memphis are being torn down and gated subdivisions are going in or really nice custom homes.

            But on balance people are leaving the city for the surrounding counties.

            Stylewise, French Country is super hot around here.  Everywhere you look. 

            Edited 12/19/2006 9:30 pm ET by CStanford

  2. User avater
    PaulBinCT | Dec 20, 2006 04:44am | #3

    Man, do I wish you were in CT. I was just saying how badly I need someone to set up a bookkeeping/accounting system for me... All good luck, you'll be a catch for the right crew,

    PaulB

    1. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 04:56am | #4

      Paul, if you get into a tight I can set you up from down here and monitor things.  QuickBooks is passable and they have an online version now and your accountant can log in from wherever and run the whole show.  I could probably get a CT reciprocal CPA license for not too much money.

      My wife and I actually will end up building in New England.  Memphis has gotten too hot.  I've lived here for many years and I can tell you that global warming is for real.  I think we had 80+ days of temps over 90 this past summer.  I build furniture with all hand tools.  The only electric tool I have is a lathe.  I can tell you it gets hot scrubbing White Oak to thickness in an un-airconditioned shop when it's 98 degrees outside with 70+ percent relative humidity.

      CT would be a dream come true, weatherwise.

      People die from the heat down here.

      1. User avater
        PaulBinCT | Dec 20, 2006 04:24pm | #14

        If nothing else, stay in touch if/when you come to CT.  Just be very aware of what Andy Engle calls the CTD (Connecticut dollar) vs USD differential. I think the rate of exchange is about 2.5 to 1 right now ;)

        Happy Holidays!

        PaulB

      2. Piffin | Dec 23, 2006 08:33pm | #28

        Ct kills people with 98° and high humidity too, especially when they are used to Maine weather;) 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      3. blue_eyed_devil | Dec 27, 2006 08:02pm | #30

        hot scrubbing White Oak to thickness in an un-airconditioned shop

        If you added air conditioning, you'd feel more comfort.

        You will have a heated shop in New England. Or, you will freeze to death.

        blue 

  3. Lansdown | Dec 20, 2006 05:05am | #7

    Bump.

    Maybe you can help this guy out.

  4. ponytl | Dec 20, 2006 05:53am | #12

    hey guy...  You are welcome to come hangout and learn anything you want on my project downtown... I'm not sure how much you can learn but we have fun....

    there are several ways to frame... and there are guys here who blow me away with what and how they do it....

    if you are one offing your own house.... speed, profit, and a contractors deadline aren't try'n to bite you in the butt... 

     great framers know how to use material wisely, have a sixth sense for the natural order of things, know what will or will not work for those trades that follow them... and know that plumb and square matter... they do all this and have a system so that they can get the job done in the least amount of time....

    I'm guessing with your present skill set the natural order of things you already understand...

    every framer and crew does things just a bit different so there are many ways to get quality...

    anyway... you are welcome to swing by my site look around and see if there is anything that interest you

    p

    1. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 02:56pm | #13

      Sounds great.... let me know where you guys are and I'll swing by.

       

      1. ANDYSZ2 | Dec 20, 2006 05:00pm | #15

        I too live in Memphis but I have an accountant and do mostly remodel.

        I worked at Plough for 15 years and built my house the last couple of years I worked there.

        I designed, framed and sided but subbed out sheetrock elec. and plumbing etc.

        Have plenty of insight  to offer and like to talk so call me if you want to meet.

        ANDYSZ@ (335 5300)WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

        REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

         

        1. CStanford | Dec 20, 2006 05:41pm | #16

          Thanks Paul, it ain't the cheapest place to live is it.....

          Andy, I appreciate that offer and I might very well give you a call.

          If you get in a tight for an extra pair of hands on one of your remodels give me a call. 

          I'll send my number by email.

           

           

          Edited 12/20/2006 11:52 am ET by CStanford

      2. ponytl | Dec 21, 2006 05:08pm | #17

        497 n. front   ...  just north of the auction street bridge... west side of front... has 497 all over the front...   I'm craig .....we are around all the time...   230-0955 if you want to yell....  I'd stay away from that andy guy from here.... :) he doesn't even eat lunch...

        p

        1. ANDYSZ2 | Dec 21, 2006 05:14pm | #18

          Man don't you have anything better to do than eat lunch  ;0)!

          ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

          REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

           

          1. ponytl | Dec 22, 2006 02:18am | #19

            the only reason i go to work is so i can get... lunch :)

            p

          2. User avater
            Gunner | Dec 22, 2006 04:16am | #22

              LUNCH!    RULES!

             

             

             

            Expert since 10 a.m.

             

             http://www.hay98.com/

             

            Edited 12/21/2006 8:25 pm ET by Gunner

          3. User avater
            txlandlord | Dec 27, 2006 11:17pm | #31

            Are you and ponytl sure you want someone who is working for you looking at your books? : - )

            I hope to make it home to mom's house in Memphis sometime in the next few months. I'll warn you guys ahead of time. Do me a favor. Before I come, please check to see if my picture is still up at the Post Office.

            What has happened to Butch, another Memphis BTer?

        2. CStanford | Dec 23, 2006 04:31pm | #24

          Craig, I'll probably give you a holler but the last thing I want to do is get in the way. 

          1. ponytl | Dec 23, 2006 05:21pm | #27

            hell  we're all in someones way.........

            p

  5. segundo | Dec 22, 2006 03:28am | #20

    i don't think you want to work on a modern framing crew, i think most of what you learn with a modern framing crew is what not to do.

    i think you are much better off studying the books by larry haun, will holladay, and the roof framing videos by the (peters? i forget the name but they advertise the product in the FH and i've heard good things).

    i started my apprenticeship in so cal in summer of 1976, and trained to be a production framer. there were certain standards then, both of quality of work and wages, and a way of doing things that reflected a pride in craftsmanship.

    frinstance, you would do nothing for months on end but sheet, roofs, floors, and shearwall, then frame, then plating and scratching, then plumb and line, then pick up (or punch out), then fascia, then rafter cutting and framing, then finally stairs.

    the learning curve is so much faster when you get the reps all in a row day after day, and the amount you can learn is incredible, after you already think you have it.

    they don't do it like that anymore, many of those techniques are a lost art. most "modern" framing crews dont even attempt to frame in the same way, i can go on and on about stuff that is so over most framing crews heads its not even funny, i would love to take you up on your offer, but i don't frame anymore, the general public has no interest in paying for a quality thought out framing job. i can't sell the work i do, no one is buying. they would rather have illegals do it at a quarter of the price.

    if you really want to work for someone to learn framing i would target joe carolla (framer) and bug him for an internship. search his name/posts and you will read what i am talking about. 

    1. mike585 | Dec 22, 2006 04:01am | #21

      I'm in the same age range as you and I'd love to do a year working for one of the craftsmen on this forum, but I have financial commitments that won't let me leave my current job. After being a student on this forum for over a year I can tell you that the people I would seek framing training from are (not in any order) Dieselpig,  Tim Uhler, Joe Carolla, Stilleto.  I have no idea as to whether they are taking students.

       

       

      1. Stilletto | Dec 22, 2006 02:54pm | #23

        I still am a student myself,  learning everyday. 

        I am flattered by your comment but I don't belong in the same league as Tim Uhler, Dieselpig,  Blue eyed devil, and Joe Carolla.  Those are the big boys I would gladly work for.    

        The things that those guys can figure out and frame with a calculator and a couple of saws is awesome. 

          

         

      2. CStanford | Dec 23, 2006 04:34pm | #26

        Mike, thanks for that.

         

         

    2. CStanford | Dec 23, 2006 04:32pm | #25

      Thanks Segundo....

    3. User avater
      txlandlord | Dec 27, 2006 11:37pm | #32

      Sorry to hear you are so jaded related to todays practises, and I don't know how things are where you are, but our frame jobs are done by Mexicans or hispanics with work papers or citizenship as we require.

      I framed (starting in Memphis) for years and my friends / framers from Mexico call me Maestro, but do a high quality job themselves.

      My main framer is Miguel Martinez. He has been in the states for 20+ years and has citizenship. Most of his work is provided by myself and another builder / friend who is the president of Greater Houston Homebuilders Association Custom Builders Counsil.

      Big fancy homes with lots of detail and specialty items. In my judgement related to 35 years in the business...he and others custom framers I have used are real craftsman, hard working and bring great attitudes.  Good craftsmanship is still alive in Texas.

      In my expereince, they are equal in their pricing or slightly less than "native" frame crews made up of white boys. 

      I guess a true native frame crew would be made up of native American indians.

       

  6. buildingbill | Dec 23, 2006 09:38pm | #29

    I began as the helper for a couple of 30yr old guys when I was only 14. One actually wrote LULL on my shirt as a joke. We were only a 3 person crew but not knowing until later I was learning more being around them without any extra helpers. I am pretty much away from the building trades now, but I still hire them whenever I need good carpenters.

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