Replies

1. 
   Waters | Jun 17, 2008 02:44am | #1

   So far I've had only smaller remodels--one room, porches, baths, kitchens, decks, fences... Concrete counters...

   Now i've got 2 remodels and a shop to build so i've got to let go and sub stuff out.  Can't do the plumbing and electric anyway of course...

   Some good advice that I wasn't able to follow--specialize.  Makes you a lot more efficient, if you can stand doing the same thing every day...  I can't

   Pat

    

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jun 19, 2008 08:52am | #9

   "One mans pleasure is another mans poison" Diversity can be as much as an asset as a liability, especially in slow economic times.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

2. 
   calvin | Jun 17, 2008 04:57am | #2

   ganj,

   You don't find the time, you make it.

   Sub out trades that make sense or keep it legal in the eyes of the inspector.

   In my case I perform all the carpentry tasks, demo and cleanup.  Sub plumbing,electric and painting and oftentimes drywall.  This allows me to usually be on the job at all times while other things get done (except of course not getting in the way of the drywaller and painter).

   Billing, bidding, and bookeeping are done early in the morning, at nite or on the weekends.

   Working on one job at a time helps keep a semblence of sanity.

   A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   enduringcharm | Jun 18, 2008 11:50pm | #4

   Calvin:

   Yeah, I agree about trying to keep it one job at a time.  I can't always do that, but I prefer not to have a bunch of things in the air at once because it makes me crazy and my clients too.  I may lose a couple of days in between jobs because of scheduling or permits, but I use that time to catch up on paperwork, marketing, etc.  I like to do jobs between one and six weeks in length, because that is enough time to get settled in to the jobsite, but not so long that I lose other business.

   John

1. 
   calvin | Jun 19, 2008 03:34am | #5

   Too many horror stories about those that start one, start another and maybe even one more.  Jump around, never getting a full day on any one site.

   Dumb ####.

   Hard to get and keep a good reputation using that scenario.

   And after 35 yrs, you get a reputation.......whatever that may be.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   seeyou | Jun 19, 2008 03:56am | #6

   Too many horror stories about those that start one, start another and maybe even one more.  Jump around, never getting a full day on any one site.

   Dumb ####.

   Hard to get and keep a good reputation using that scenario.

   My business is a little different, but if I didn't keep about 15 jobs running at the same time I'd go broke. We always hit road blocks - painters, plumbers, carps, masons, etc. It's seldom, that we can set up on a job and go all the way thru it with out having to wait on somebody or something. This spring, materials have become a problem. Almost every job has been a special order nightmare. Non-stock shingle colors or styles. 8" copper half round gutter. Lead coated copper downspouts. And on and on.

   I say "we", but I am a one man show. I have a bunch of subs that are kind of "dedicated". They work my jobs most of the time, but not always. I do tend to take jobs to keep them occupied so they don't wander off. http://grantlogan.net

   Who got Bo Diddley's money?

1. 
   calvin | Jun 19, 2008 06:13am | #7

   Grant, there's always a different situation.  But I think you know what I mean in the above description.

   I just finished a loooonnnnnng kitchen job.  Instead of the customer hating every stinkin minute of it, I was complemented on how there was never a day where someone wasn't working on their project.  It never sat idle. 

   That and the final check.  Good day.

   Hey, we'll be flying over you folks tomorrow morning on the way to asheville.  We'll be spending a few days outside of Burnsville, N.C.  I'll wave.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

2. 
   seeyou | Jun 19, 2008 01:08pm | #11

   Hey, we'll be flying over you folks tomorrow morning on the way to asheville.  We'll be spending a few days outside of Burnsville, N.C.  I'll wave.

   I'll be watching. Don't flush the toilet. Enjoy your trip.http://grantlogan.net

   Who got Bo Diddley's money?

3. 
   Waters | Jun 19, 2008 05:30pm | #12

   !!!

   I have a Penland T-Shirt on right now...

   WHere are 'you guys?'

   My parents live on Hall's Chapel Rd / off Blue Rock Rd South of Burnsville--Celo.

   Built a place there and are retired.

   Pat -- in Oregon. 

4. 
   seeyou | Jun 19, 2008 07:40pm | #13

   I'm in KY. Cal's flying over on the way I guess.http://grantlogan.net

   Who got Bo Diddley's money?

5. 
   Waters | Jun 20, 2008 04:10am | #14

   Hmm,

   Calvin must be headed to the area? 

3. 
   FRB | Jun 17, 2008 06:01am | #3

   When I first started, my wife was still working and I had to stay home with the kids 1 day a week.  They were old enough for me to work around the house, so every Thursday I did my office work.  Accounting, bidding, billing, phone calls, etc. 

   I now have 2 crews and I hardly ever "where the tool belt"  but I still need to take about 1 day a week and do the same thing.  It is amazing as the business grows so do my hats.

   I also agree with subing out what you are not proficient in, but don't forget to mark it up for profit!

4. 
   ponytl | Jun 19, 2008 06:29am | #8

   I'm more sane than i've ever been.... because i've stopped try'n to wear too many hats...  I have one guy who knows more about my life than i do... he pays the bills, sees that monies are collected, stays on my butt about what needs to be done and when... I'm labor... it's what i do... i know the natural order of things and have the picture in my minds eye...

   I know that i can do it all ... but in doing so something or everything in some way suffers... but in having done it all  I have a grasp on what should be done I know what questions to ask and where to find the answers...

   you can't do it all and remain sane... doesn't matter if you never were sane  from the start...

   p

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jun 19, 2008 08:56am | #10

   Good answer. For me it helps immensely to have "been there done that " with almost everything.
   Th experience makes it easier to know which parts I need to have someone else handle that is more proficient at it. I have enough knowledge to keep an eye on things but not get bogged down in the details .
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.