Replies

1. 
   DanH | Sep 11, 2012 07:40pm | #1

   How's your marriage?

1. 
   Mart77 | Sep 12, 2012 01:48pm | #2

   Mariage

   DanH wrote:

   How's your marriage?

   Not sure if this was rethorical.  lol  

   But she's fine with anything I do.  She's used to my 60-80 hour weeks.  

1. 
   john7g | Sep 12, 2012 06:43pm | #3

   60-80...

   How does she like 60-80hr weeks with barely any pay/profit to you?  :)  

   Don't quit your day job.   

   It takes a long time to build up a reputation and then fill the calender and then to keep full/booked for the next few months. Problem with being a one man show is that not only are you the worker, you're the salesman.  Hard to do both at the same time. Being a GC, your more of a salesman and problem solver as well as money manager and not much as much of the hands-on stuff.  .  

   Have you looked into your state's licensing regs for General Contractor?  

1. 
   Mart77 | Sep 13, 2012 03:17pm | #5

   reply to John

   I'm actually in Canada and in my province all you need to register as a GC is $100/yr and proof of liability insurance.  In terms of qualification I got my certification in our provincial building code in order to qualify as a member of our mandatory new home warranty program for builders.

   The market here is quite healthy and I'm planning more on building spec homes and developping a few percels of land that I own rather than pre-selling for the next few years.  My background is in project management so I'm hoping those skills would translate well.

   I've done most of my laws and regulations research and education over the last while prior to building my own house.  

   I might just need reassurance from someone who has gone trhough this more than anything.  Worse case is my expiriment is a failure and I'm back behind a desk...

    john7g wrote:

   How does she like 60-80hr weeks with barely any pay/profit to you?  :)  

   Don't quit your day job.   

   It takes a long time to build up a reputation and then fill the calender and then to keep full/booked for the next few months. Problem with being a one man show is that not only are you the worker, you're the salesman.  Hard to do both at the same time. Being a GC, your more of a salesman and problem solver as well as money manager and not much as much of the hands-on stuff.  .  

   Have you looked into your state's licensing regs for General Contractor?  

2. 
   selenavaz | Oct 06, 2012 06:47am | #7

   Hey John7g, Your advice is really good. Dont quit your current jb and directly jump into business. Build your base side by side. Do you have any background in the this industry. Take help from people already having a base here. It is always tough to make a name in construction especially with so many giants ruling the market. Think about all pros and cons. See if you back up and only then get  into it.

2. 
   DanH | Sep 12, 2012 08:03pm | #4

   The point is that you'll be working your a** off, not bringing in any money, and in debt up to your eyebrows.  At some point you're likely to go even crazier than you are now.  Can your marriage withstand that?

1. 
   Mart77 | Sep 13, 2012 03:21pm | #6

   to Dan

   If it can't withstand that, I'd rather she leave me when I'm poor and in debt to my eyebrows than before or after.  ;)

   DanH wrote:

   The point is that you'll be working your a** off, not bringing in any money, and in debt up to your eyebrows.  At some point you're likely to go even crazier than you are now.  Can your marriage withstand that?

2. 
   sunsen | Oct 24, 2012 02:20pm | #8

   go for it

   Getting into construction is the best move I ever made. I can't imagine doing anything else. If you feel that way about it, have at it. Things have a way of working themselves out.