My clients – my *first* clients – are great people, just great to work for. I gave them an invoice after the first week, and was paid the next day. And they gave me cookies. They’re also happy with my workmanship, and my rate of progress.
The hours go by fast. Today I was really in the zone, and accomplished more than I expected.
All my friends and family figured I’d end up in the academic world, probably go in for graduate studies, PhD, whatever. I had a budding self-important windbag inside of me, at one point. Today I felt like I dodged a bullet.
I’m not an old hand at this kind of thing by any means. The thought of working on someone else’s house, professionally, was intimidating at first. But these people need a job done, and I’m doing that job. It’s that simple.
Today, for this job, for these clients: this is really satisfying.
Edited 12/5/2007 10:00 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Replies
Biff,
Make a copy of that post. Stick it in an envelope and save it a safe place.
Time will come you will reeeealllly need to pull that out and read it.
Be good to have then and know how you got where you are sure as s-$$ gonna be at some point.
My 10 yo daughter does this thing where she'll lie down and be real still with a smile on her face--nothing hurts, and not a care in the world. I'll ask her what's up, and she'll say, "Not now Dad, I'm having a moment."
Congratulations. Enjoy your moment.
Man, if you guys aren't a couple of buzzkills. ;)Enjoy Biff
Barry E-Remodeler
Barry, mine was entirely positive. Life is about moments like Biff's experiencing. Hang onto them. Enjoy them for all they're worth.
Come on Barry. A little dose of reality to temper the enthusiasm of that perfect moment.
I especially like the idea of putting the memory in an envelop. Time capsule of sorts.
I'm sure the envelop will be full some day.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
GuysThat's why I typed the winky guy, you know tongue in cheek?I enjoyed his freshman enthusiasm, as I'm sure we all did
Barry E-Remodeler
Sorry again. I often miss those immodiums and never use them myself.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
No worries.I was never big on the emoticons myself, seemed like a female type thing.sometimes it's just easier to use them, or maybe not. <g>
Barry E-Remodeler
"I'm sure the envelop will be full some day."
I tried that once ... one problem ...
lotsa envelopes ... all full ...
mailman brings them everyday.
fulla bills!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Barry,
I kept pictures of my kids as new born infants on my desk to during those teen years for the same reason. ;-0
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
That is really great, Jim. She obviously has excellent parenting.I read somewhere that the people of the Acoma Pueblo (in NM) don't have a word for sick/ill. When something doesn't feel right they say, "They are feeling some way." The rest of the life is spent "feeling no way". I like it.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
Construction has that immediate gratification of being able to see what you accomplished. I've had various types of jobs where the "product" was hard to ever see. I call it the theater of construction. It's just another performing art.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
BWAHAHA!
That's precious!
Be sure to get back to us next week when you're kicking yourself for not sticking with that "academic world" thing ya had goin'!
BWAHAHA!
In all seriousness though Biff....best of luck to ya. And be sure to appreciate the clients you are currently working with. Too few and far between.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
It all changes once you get that first BAD CHECK!
Good for you biff.
I don't blame you for feeling as if you dodged a bullet. Once upon a time, I was 16 years old, and enrolled in the University of California, Scholars Program. It was easy enough, and various Professers (intentional spelling), wanted to make sure I was their protege.
Well, I could see the way that train was headed, so I pissed everyone off, and quit. Academic infighting, a professer myself, department head ! I never thanked the guy who made it easy: He was a history prof; although, at that point, Sociology had moved into the history department; History had fragmented into certain English and Geography courses; if you wanted to read Shakespeare, you damn well better be in the Drama department; Religious Studies were no longer available, except to be debunked in the Philosophy department ; this guy presumed to explain to a class of undergrads...'the American working man feels this way'. They took notes, (Might be on the final!). I asked him about his work history. He had none. Outside of academia, he worked at McD's in High School, and got fired.
So, I left. Has it been great always? No.
Do I regret it? Well, I don't know, it is what it is.
Will you have hard times on this path? Oh yeah. Save, save, save. You will get screwed by customers, contractors and employees. There is a lot of experience on this site, and most of us will do our best to help. You're still gonna get screwed, and sued. Tattooed? Up to you.
Do it right. License up. Bond and insure. Pay taxes. Pay the workers comp if you hire anyone. Pay yourself last. If there's nothing to pay you, work more or bid better.
I wish you the best. I'd be pleased to answer any question, any time.
skipj
There are certainly things I'd rather be doing from time to time.. but I've never looked back either.
It's those days, working outside when the weather's perfect, doing something really fun, working with your hands, creating something worthwhile...
And on top of it, people think you're magic to do this sort of work, and PAY you for it!
It's those days, working outside when the weather's perfect, doing something really fun, working with your hands, creating something worthwhile...
In the midst of a basement remodel currently. Although there is ample room inside, or even in the garage, I choose to set up outside. Homeowner came out the other day to let me know it was fine if I wanted to bring my "shop" indoors. I told him inside is for the suits.
Crystal clear, sunny 50 degree day. Swetashirt and a ski cap made it quite comfortable. One of those days that made you happy to be alive.....and even happier not to have chosen a job that came with a cubicle.
J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements
Myself finishing a kitchen these days. No room inside, and that's fine, but have to get creative in Oregon in Winter.
I have an EZ-UP 12x12 tent I set up out on the patio and work under it. Last week we had those storms come thru, that flooded the whole NW. We had 50kt winds in town, knocked trees down and stuff. My EZ-UP was in the Neighbor's yard when I got to work early to batten down the hatches.
My wife and I joke about our jobs. She's a 'babysitter.' (Actually a very highly regarded 6th grade teacher) And I shop for tools and materials, drive around, talk on the phone and saw and hammer things.
It's perfect for us!
Wonderful feeling, huh? I used to stare in the mirror over the sink in the hard cold light of dawn on a corporate morning and think, " I can't do this again . . .
Glad to hear you're enjoying it - I'm still a relative newby after sight years of this, but never regret the change.
Forrest - I know it's "lavatory", not "sink", but it sounded better that way
As project manager, I got used to dealing with clients at their worst. There was this one woman who wouldn't pay her last 10% because she disliked the appearance of the _backs of the cabinet doors_. There was nothing wrong with them; they were reverse panel doors. Anyways, she was very, very angry and dissatisfied. Her kitchen looked awesome.I had conversations with this woman for months. She wanted all the doors replaced. My employers wanted their money.I'm just enjoying the moment, as others suggested.
Edited 12/6/2007 8:31 am ET by Biff_Loman
Wow, I thought I was the only guy getting cookies! My current client is a cookie salesman and I've been there over a year. I had to go on a little diet to counteract the benefits!
Have a good day
Cliffy