Replies

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 25, 2001 02:38am | #1

   *
   Are you looking for framing crews, or individuals to work with Korean crews?

1. 
   phil_eves | Nov 25, 2001 06:21am | #2

   *Conventional North American framing? Or timber, or...?More particulars please.

1. 
   David_Noble | Nov 25, 2001 07:49am | #3

   *Jim, we would prefer a crew, but most often we put our own crew together with individuals. The Koreans will be doing all the other trades, but none working directly with us framing. We frame "North American" style wood frame construction. We export all the materials from Canada (we are based in Canada). Mostly we have been building churches in Japan and South Korea, but this year we have 20 houses to build in Seoul South Korea. Thanks

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 25, 2001 08:18am | #4

   *What type of living and working conditions could a person expect there? What kind of work week?

1. 
   David_Noble | Nov 26, 2001 06:19pm | #5

   *The living conditions vary according to the location. We have a "bunkhouse" that we move from job to job that sleeps and feeds 16, however there is not enough space for it on the projects in the city of Seoul. In Seoul we are put up in "Yogwans" a type of Korean motel, not very fancy but better than our bunkhouse. Most of these are Korean style ie. sleep on the floor, but we stay in ones with beds! The Yogwans sleep one or two guys per room and have a hot shower and tv.The food is mostly Korean, which is "all you can eat" and you sit on the floor and eat with chopsticks and most of the food is hot. Hey!!! If you want it to be like America don't come. The Korean people are very friendly, and myself and my staff speak english.Seoul is a city of 14,000,000 people. It is very modern, most of the buildings are under 30 years old. The jobsite and the "Yogwan" are about 10 minute walk to the subway system. The subway is the best way to get around. The station names are in both Korean and english languages. Korea is #1 in the world for internet usage. You can use the internet in a "PC room" ,they are everywhere, about one on every block it seems. You can smoke anywhere, in any building, and the PC rooms are very smoky. Great if you are a smoker, not so great if you arn't. Internet usage at a PC room costs about a dollar an hour. So, if you have an internet based "hotmail" account and your family back home has one, then you can talk to them over the internet for a dollar an hour. The sound quality is not perfect, but it is OK. In the winter we work daylight hours (9). In the summer we work as long as the guys want. We don't work on Sundays. In the summer months, we take another half day off because we are working longer hours. In the winter months, it is dark at 5:00 pm, so it gives you lots of time to do your own thing. I am not a slave driver! We are all adults. if you want some time off to do something special thats OK, but this in not a vacation, we have lots of projects lined up.Thank-you for your time. If you have any more questions, please feel free.David Noble

2. 
   jim_at_great_white | Nov 29, 2001 08:08am | #6

   *Dave you're not going to get us over there and sell us to rich Korean women as slaves are you? What kind of compensation might be offered and will you ship our big trucks and tools as well? Do they have CRANES in Korea?;)jim

3. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 29, 2001 05:54pm | #7

   *I bet they have some cool bamboo scafolding.

4. 
   Michael_Sendrowicz | Nov 29, 2001 07:35pm | #8

   *David - Just curious what the range of wages is like in S. Korea. Also, what type of tools are framers expected to bring? (for example, a nailer and compressor..)What is the electrical situation like on the sites?Thanks, Michael

5. 
   Michael_Sendrowicz | Nov 30, 2001 01:44am | #9

   *David - Just curious what the range of wages is like in S. Korea. Also, what type of tools are framers expected to bring? (for example, a nailer and compressor..)What is the electrical situation like on the sites?Thanks, Michael

6. 
   David_Noble | Dec 03, 2001 06:33am | #10

   *Thanks for your interest guys. The wages are $15 per hour (US$) unless you want to be paid in Korean Won or Canadian dollars. Just keep in mind that we also pay the airfare, room and board and medical insurance. The building conditions there are very similar to North American type residential construction projects. They have cranes and we also use power nailers with our own compressors. You can take your own nailers if we can work out the supply of nails for them before we fly over. The electricity there is all 220 volt, however on the job-sites we have converters that we plug all of our tools from home into. Please note that in the place of lodging there will only be 220 volt, so don't bring your curling iron. We have our own scaffolding and its not Bamboo!!! We are set up because we have done other projects there. With each crew, we usually take the guys to the DMZ , thats the border between North and South Korea, its the most militarized border in the world. We are pretty safe in South Korea, there are 40,000 US army based in Seoul. We don't guarantee a good time though, thats up to you.Thank-you for your time.David [email protected]

7. 
   David_Noble | Dec 03, 2001 04:43pm | #11

   *As with all other framing jobs, the framers are expected to bring there own tools. US citizens can stay in Korea for 90 days without a visa, and Canadian citizens can stay for 180 days. You NEED a passport. No way around that. I have heard that you can get a passport pretty fast. In Canada here we can get them in 5 business days. The luggage restrictions are as follows. You can take a maximum of 2 bags each being 70 lbs or less. Also each bag can measure up to 63 inches, that is length plus width plus height=63 inches. We can also carry on a small bag. We often carry-on our 4 foot levels, however that was all prior to September 11. We have not had any problems with guys taking tools back and forth. The only times we had trouble was when one guy tried to carry-on a samari sword! Also, if your tools have been in with a "Ramset" or ammo or other types of explosive charges, then they will detect that at the airport security (this is not a big problem, just adds an hour or so). Please feel free to ask more questions.Thank-youDavid Noble

8. 
   David_Noble | Dec 05, 2001 12:32am | #12

   *I'm flying back to Korea this weekend. Any specific questions that I can find out while I'm there?

9. 
   jim_at_great_white | Dec 05, 2001 06:22am | #13

   *Does anyone really fly across the ocean for fifteen bucks an hour and a hot meal? Not to sound bitter but it sure is quite a commute for the wages offered. Let me know if I'm off base here. Even with room and board we'd still have to keep our home or apartment stateside if we're only going over ninety days at a time. Thanks for the offer though.Jim

10. 
    David_Noble | Dec 05, 2001 03:34pm | #14

    *Jim, nobody goes just for the wages. The 15 dollar figure is for a 3 week minimum. We pay for the airfare, so if you leave after 3 weeks, then we have to pay $1,200 to fly a guy in to replace you. We would give you the $1,200 as a bonus every 3 weeks if you stay. By the way, what is a usual wage for framers in America?

11. 
    jim_at_great_white | Dec 06, 2001 08:33am | #15

    *Dave that sounds much much better. Sorry for being a poophead. I was paying my guys, hard workers just really geting the hang of my techniques 15 to 17 an hour. I may be able to go for the bonus money, I'd have to convince the wife and kids though. That is for framing on customs in the 3500sq ft and up range. The framers across the street were paying a crew of eight South Americans ten bucks an hour.thanks for the clarification Davidjim

12. 
    David_Noble | Dec 07, 2001 04:55pm | #16

    *Thanks Jim. Our accomodations are set now. I am flying there on Sunday. I'll be there for a week and will check everything out in detail. If you have any questions while I'm there, just post them here, I'll be checking posts while I'm there. Thank-youDavid Noble

13. 
    alan_welch | Jan 05, 2002 04:07am | #17

    *An added bonus to working in Korea is the income tax exemption on foreign wages (e.g. you don't pay any US income tax on the first approximately $75,000.

14. 
    Speiserboo | Jan 05, 2002 08:58pm | #18

    *Has anybody gone to Korea?Curious to hear about it.Thought about going, but don't really feel like I can call myself a "framer" Haven't done it enough.

15. 
    Bob_Pedigo | Jan 14, 2002 01:19am | #19

    *I am interested in framing in South Korea. I have an experienced three-man crew. Please send particulars of the job, transportation, accommodations, tools required, etc. > Bob Pedigo

16. 
    Brent_Hisgen | Jan 23, 2002 07:20pm | #20

    *David is your organization a mission type situation at all? I am starting my search for a mission (Habitat for Humanity) type scenario where we ( my wife and 3 children) can serve and get away from some of the capitalist materialism- I'm tired of being married to the money. Do you know of this type of scenario or can anyone help direct me?

17. 
    DanPat | Jan 24, 2002 04:28am | #21

    *David, Please e-nmail me the particulars (length of contract, wages, perqs)on this gig. Is it only for framers? Or do you need experienced trim people too. I have 30+ yrs in the trade. Dan Patterson

18. 
    CCB_ | Feb 11, 2002 09:21am | #22

    *David, I have a crew that is very interested in working abroad. We specialize in post and beam construction, and the crew has traveled before. (and have their passports) Let me know if you need any help, maybe we can work something out before I book them elsewhere. thanks.

19. 
    matt_hambrick | Feb 12, 2002 01:52am | #23

    *ccb- I think David must be overseas right now but go to http://www.noblemissions.com and you might be able to track him down. I looked into the deal earlier in the winter but the pay was marginal. Work is residential and it is a Christian mission sort of a deal. I have been interested in working overseas for some time now so let me know if you are looking for some crew members to travel. I have done a fair amount of timber and log work and have been supporting the move into concrete countertops and stone fireplaces for myself with commercial concrete work on the military bases here in Anchorage through the carpenter's union. Good luck with your search for David Noble. Matt

20. 
    Bracken_m | Apr 08, 2002 03:23am | #24

    Hi David.  Are you still looking for framers in South Korea?  If you are I'm very interested.  I just got back from working in Australia and looking to do more overseas work.  I am a Canadian and have my passport.  My email address is [email protected].  Thanks for your consideration.

    Bracken