Summer was super busy – could barley keep up. Our crew was mostly tied up with a large reno /addition. Then Sept hit and the client hit finacial woes and the job shut down half completed. The company that hired me to run the job is now going under and chaces are I will never see all the money that’s owed to me. The Prez of the company has paid me what he could, but now things are in the trustees hands and the banks come before I will. On top of that I’m dealing with some other idiot that’s trying not to pay me.
The client that we did the reno job for loved our work and referred me to his daughter that had a sizeable reno that she and her husb and wanted to begin. Prior to Christmas I was working my archy like mad to get things rolling so that I would have something to do in the New year. After the holidays, I got the prelimnary drawings and met with the H.O’s, they loved em and wanted to proceed full steam ahead. Then couple days later, I got the word that the husband along with 14,000 others in his company got laid off.
My partner and I have laid our guys off, and are both running out fast of small jobs to keep us alive. I’m looking in the ads and not a lot out there.
Anyone looking for a carpenter?
Replies
A tough spot that others have shared. I am sorry that you have to go through it. We are liquidating now. A painful experience. But just another of life's little lessons I guess. Good luck. DanT
Thanks Dan View Image View Image
Housing is beyond dead in the interior here. A lot of spec home builders on the verge of bankruptcy. I got laid off just after Christmas and have been looking but I think the best bet is to go into commercial construction till the market recovers and keep looking for jobs on your own.
good luck to you.
I'm doing some custom form work for a waterfall feature this week and next. After that - that's all I 've got. My partner and I met a guy last week about a house buiild, but that's not 'til April - if we even get the job ( it's been narrowed down to us and one other builder ) But there's no way I can hold out that long. View Image View Image
Best of luck!
Hard times for sure.
Take a look.....http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/trd/
This poster offers $2500.00 per month for a full time carpenter with vehicle and full set of tools, five years experience, ability to oversee other trades and crews from time to time, as well as being versed in finishing, painting and drywall in addition to carpentry. Plus first aid Level 3. All this for what works out to $15.65 per hour, for 40 hours before taxes!
Do not give these type of offers the time of day! These people are looking to drive down the market wage and they should not succeed. Has this guy checked out the cost of running a vehicle, providing a full set of carpenters tools (not just a tool belt!, getting a level 3 ticket, etc ? This is ridiculous, based on his job description he should be offering twice what he is offering.. This was says Re Fantasy Island job
NO kidding...thats' ridiculous! View Image View Image
Hopefully the government will follow through with its promise to give tax incentives for people who want to renovate which hopefully will stimulate work for us.
Sad thing is, bet theirs many takers on that one. Tough times for sure.
Thanks G8...I've heard of craigs list for selling/buying stuff before but never used it, or knew you could find jobs there too. View Image View Image
Around here (Denver Co.) the newspapers shot themselfs in the foot by charging about $200 to place a 10 day classified add.
Most around here use C/List to buy, sell, jobs, ect. It mostly free.
Where still working here, but the Job were on should last till May-June. Then will see whats next.
Best of Luck!
Little bit of good news. The guy I'm doing the bit of form work for, is going to make some work to keep me going for a bit. He has lots of jobs on the plate including some bigger ones. But it's a matter of waiting for start dates.
He also offered me an draw on my yet to be billed work. Went straight to the bank!
Maybe I can hang in there and keep my business going as a one man show 'till things pick up. View Image View Image