Work is real slow here, for most in my area. After 10 or so years as a Carpenter/Remodeler I am wondering if i should shift gears and get into a lumber yard as estimator/sales…. any thoughts or experiances w this???
How much could a job like this pay??? Cabin Fever????
Where else could all this construction Knowledge Pay Off????
Anyway Winter Looks very Grim. I Do Good Work And Have Great References.
How do you pay the bills in slow times???
Edited 10/24/2007 7:23 am ET by Splurt
Replies
I would suggest going for it, even though you might not make the same wages. The difference would be in the steady check. By the time the busy season rolls around again, you'll have a good idea about where your heart lies.
fka (formerly known as) blue
Jim,
While it won't hurt to try, he should realize that it's a sales job, not just an estimating job and selling skill is critical..
Some of my contractor friends forced out of construction have been doing the following,
trucking*
recycling work (2)*
garbage men (2)*
Convience store work
Government jobs
Telemarket selling
driving a cab
HomeDepot installer
* the people doing these jobs have reported wages similar to previous earnings..
How long have you been at this?
What kind of marketing are you doing??
If the lumberyard has an opening for estimator/sales, then there are still people having work done.
The question is "why not by you?"
Rich Beckman
We have been at it about ten years in this area, work coming by word of mouth from customers, lumber yards, and other contractors. Although no commercial advertising, we are in a rural NH area. We are not getting the work because there is ALOT of competition, can't compete financially. I thought this position could reasonably pay 60-65k a year, and possibly provide new contacts even if it didn't work out. I don't have a problem selling, does that sound reasonable? Any tips for advertising from the neigh-sayers?
I think the lumber sales jobs here are more in the $15-20/hr range, plus benefits.
I know what you are saying about too much low priced competition, as it's a problem here even when there's plenty of work. I'd rather stay home than work construction for cheap, and if I couldn't find work at my price I'd get a job doing something else, probably for a lot less.
We are not getting the work because there is ALOT of competition, can't compete financially.
Have you considered subbing to your competition? I've done this numerous times. If someone else is getting all the work, let them have it. Pick what you like to do the best and try to get them to sub you to do what you enjoy. Since you've now become a specialist in something, you can move your pay scale up a little each job. You also don't have to spend time selling, dealing with customers, etc, because that's what the prime contractor does. Just something to think about.http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
Splurt,Michael Stone insists that now especially advertising is needed to
bring in the leads. A copy of his latest newsletter-getting the phone
to ring- can be found by following links at http://www.markupandprofit.com.His book-Markup and Profit for Contractors is a real eye opener with lots of marketing ideas. Guerilla Marketing is also great for offbeat ideas. I taught woodworking at a community college for years as one way to get my name out there and that was very effective. Got that idea from some book.That said, I can relate. I recently had a crazy idea to move to Victoria B.C., so I shut down all my work and...my wife freaked on me! So I had to pull work errr...out of my butt...call friends-let 'em know I needed work;let my suppliers know I "had some room in my schedule". I also did a lot of research and the prevailing advice to get things really hopping is to call/send a postcard to former customers;you have already sold them on you once;let them know your specialties...Stone says let them know you put up Christmas decorations, if you do...I'm not saying, don't take the job...I like plan a, plan b, plan c...plan a1...you did ask for tips on advertising...and it doesn't have to be one or the other.silver
Marketing,Marketing,Marketing....... Thanks I am hoping if this position becomes mine i will be building contacts until at least a busy season comes up again.
Good luck-if it's not too late, give your resume a good tune-up. I had
mine looked at by fresh eyes and their ideas really helped me spruce up my resume-You're still marketing-you're selling yourself to the powers that be...so sell,sell,sell...Your cover letter should let them know why you're the best thing for them since sliced bread... BTW, your profile says central N.H. Brings back lots of fond memories-
I was raised in western Mass and lived in St. Johnsbury VT.
I love New England and miss it.cheers,
silver