New housing is almost dead here in SE MN (like elsewhere). I know dozens of builders and a couple of developers, but only two builders I know are booked into ’09 and a couple still have steady work.
Anyway, I still have my typical 2-3 month backlog and keep getting calls, so I’m thinking I’m gonna survive the slowdown just fine…but who knows. Another carpenter I know with about the same skill set I have just folded and took a second shift manufacturing job (composites).
Then, yesterday one of the two busy builders calls me and asks if he can buy me lunch. He wants me to do all of his trim (he had been doing it “in house.” so to speak <g>).
I’ve done several jobs for this guy before, but only challenging stuff he did not want to deal with. Now he wants me to do all the trim so he can focus on more of the business side.
Whooo Hooo! Now I know I’m booked into ’09 Too early to count chickens, but it looks like it will be a great year. I have been worried…now I’m feelin’ releaved.
It has been a rough year. MIL moved in for cancer recovery and she is a rather negative, hard to get along with person (she got my office too, as her room). It drives me nuts, but it is the right thing to do. We also got hit by a devastating flood in Aug. ’07 and are still recovering from that.
My bit of good news, workwise, has put a spring in my step.
Replies
Wow... good for you! I'm sure you earned it. Nice to see a bright spot amidst all the gloom and doom talk. My only tiny cynical note would be to just ask around a bit and make sure that this guy isn't shaky and looking for you to replace a laid off guy in which case he may ultimately leave you hanging. I only suggest that because I saw it happen more than once in my previous business. That small possibility aside, hope this brings you many years of profitable work!
PaulB
Thanks Paul,The guy has two full-time and one half-time guys, pays well for the market and provides his guys WC, medical coverage, etc.He actually offered me a full-time job with benefits, but I don't want all my eggs in his basket and don't want to end up digging holes for basement egress windows or something.When I say I'm booked into '09 now, I should say that this guy will fill about half my calender from April on (3 new homes and half a dozen additions/remodels) and I know I can fill the rest.Have a good day,Bass
View Image !Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
I'm happy for you.
But not to rain on your parade, why's the guy doing this? He's cutting his own costs as his revenue is going down. By laying off one or more of his own guys that aren't working full time anymore.
He just told me, "You and I are both busy, because we are both good at what we do. You are better and faster than I am at trim, so I'd rather have you do it."His business is really growing, even in a down market. No layoff in his crew.
I'm happy for you.
But not to rain on your parade, why's the guy doing this? He's cutting his own costs as his revenue is going down. By laying off one or more of his own guys that aren't working full time anymore.
Actually I've been in the same position as basswood in this type of arrangement. I do a lot of work for a GC who has three employees.... two laborers and one very good carpenter. They used to do all their own framing with this four-man crew (including the owner). He now subs the framing out to me and is able to run more jobs at the same time than he could before. He no longer swings a hammer himself, his laborers do what they do best (punch-out, dig, clean, demo, etc) and his very good carpenter takes care of some of the particulars like the interior trim, cabinets, and some complicated exterior details. It's been a very good arrangement for both of us.View Image
I'd make sure I got paid for each job before starting another, but other than that, I'd be counting my blessings...........
take the old girl out tonight and celebrate a bit.
Good points.I have been paid promptly on his jobs before, and expect that to continue.I did go out on the town last night. A nice meal and a couple of New Castles ales at the Pub.Now I'm off to the shop (bought a couple of display racks a lumber yard was getting rid of...getting organized).Basswood
Wow! Thats a score. You have to feel good about you reputation and skill since with this market he really has a good selection of people to offer the deal to and almost all others would accept. And diesel's synopisis of the situation sounds correct so you can help each other. Great news. DanT
Dan,It was a nice validation, that caring about details and working to always improve my game does pay off.I think BT really has helped me fine tune my trade (as have FHB magazine and Taunton books and JLC, etc.). That is one of the reasons I try to make a contribution here...I hope to give something back. Thanks Everyone!I feel fortunate to work for, or with, several of the few builders who still have projects moving ahead.Cheers,Brian
You are giving back, some of your pictures have helped me in many ways.
Your tool suggestions are valuable to me as well. I have bought a few and have not been disappointed yet.
I recently was offered a position much like yours, and I am still considering it.
I would make more money have more work. Just be sure he lives up to his end of the deal. If he starts to slack, let him know. I've lost jobs because of the reputation of the GC's I've worked for. Once I found out they were scumbags I walked, but they haunt me at times.
Like you BT has refined my skills, givin me a place to fit in. I am surrounded by a field of carpenters in this area that have no interest in becoming better at what they do or trying something new. I am opposite of that and this is a place for me to learn and share what little I might be able to contribute.
So, thanks Basswood, I like what you bring to the table and hope to see more in the future. Woods favorite carpenter
Thanks Matt,You have made plenty of helpful posts too. Good to hear you are getting work offers in this down market as well.This is a great place for adding to our knowledge and skill...that has to give us an advantage over the competition. I'll take all the help I can get.If I have time this week, I will post a few things that might be interesting. The next few weeks will involve some good projects.Keep, keepin' on,Brian