Ive been thinking lately of moving to a another area. It wont be for a long while about 4 years or so. But I was wondering How would someone go to another area where he isnt known, no rep good or bad and start out. I will add that I have a SIL whose been working at a major lumberyard in that area , taking orders for a few years. Just curious.
Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me”
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Replies
Hi Ron,
Weren't you due to retire from that govt. job by now? Any connection to this moving schedule? Just nosy.
I guess you're planning to stay happily married since you are moving to the same town as SIL. LOL
So you've already got one great contact in town. She knows which builders pay their bills, I'll bet.
Who was that bank robber who when asked why he robbed banks, said, "Because that's where the money is!"
Principle is that you identify what kind of work you want to do and then go where it is being done. In other words, make contact with the kind of people who need it done.
eg. When I was a roofer and moved to Colorado, I drove around the county and stopped at jobs where the framing was going up to find the decision makers. Most of them were using their framing crews to roof and the guys hated it so it was a shoe-in.
Want to lay tile? Talk to plumbers, kitchen centers and tile stores.
Get into home repairs? Talk to the PTA, realtors, the salespersons at the DIY hardware and lumber store. SIL?
Get into landscaping? spend time knocking doors and beating the brush in new subdivisions.
IMO, a good markeet for a lone tradesman would be working with individuals who are trying to DIY an adition etc. and have gotten in over their heads. They need help and they know it. You need patience for this kind of gig tho'. So put on the thinking cap and who do you suppose knows more than anybody else in town about the folks who are in that postion? The building inspector who has to explain to them why he is failing the job? Maybe the lumberman who hears their cryin'?
Hope this helps, bro
"Weren't you due to retire from that govt. job by now? Any connection to this moving schedule? Just nosy. "
like I said about 4 more years :) In fact funny ya mentioned Colorado , I was thinking of going back to the Seattle area but I told the wife I already lived there so why not move to Colorado near my borther annd SIL. Man you can read minds or what Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
I was thinking SIL on wifes side. oops
What town? Maybe I got contacts. There's other guys here too from there.Excellence is its own reward!
My brother just bought a house near Denver. But Im really just curious how one goes about starting in a new area. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
What do you want to start over doing, Ron?
Well right now Im a DIYer plus I do some pt work. I think do pretty good work. As piffin said in a earlier post I now work for the govt. I want to retire early in about 4 years sell my home in SoCal move to another place in maybe Colorado or Washington take the equity from my house and put it down on another one thus saving bucks on the mortage payments and general cost of living (as everyone knows the prices here are outrageous) and do some small jobs to supplement my income and keep busy ect and I just love the work. Ive been with the Gov for 27 years now and Im in the planning stages for my retirement. I would like to leave in 4 more years. That'll be 3 years early that means Ill loose 6% , 2 % per year. Ill make that up moving to another state and using my equity to buy another home. So if everything goes ok, (ok= the houseing market here keeps going and the govt keeps offering early retirements with a golden handshake) Then Ill be able to bail from here and start over doing something else.
But ya know you'd be surprized how many people dont really plan for their retirement. We got guys eaving in 2 years w/o a clue as to what they want to do. It amazes me. ive been planning for the last 9 years developing my skills taking night classes buying all the tools I think Ill need ect. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
We all think we do pretty good work, so the question is the same, what do you want to do?
I guess you want to dabble in construction. Old/new, general/specialty? Company size to start, company size for a goal?
What exactly do you want to know? If you have four years to merge into this I would suggest you do all the part time you can, apply your education, and buy tools. You are too old and inexperienced to do new work, that leaves old. Old what? There is good money in handyman work, but reno's will hand your hat to you.
Somehow I think you knew all of that. What you might not know is things change, what looks good right now might not be such a great deal in 4 yrs, but that is construction. You have a gov check to float you, but if things tank you have to compete with real builders that need busy work.
Do you need any more encouragement? I'm right here with all of that, but no matter what you want to do you have to get hands on, and you have 4 years to do it.
Well I was thinking of specializeing in custom made bath vanities and built ins some tile work counter tops/floors maybe some trim work and refinishing. Like I said busy work to supplement and keep life interesting. The larger reno remodels especially new Ill leave it to you guys. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
Don't forget to scout out the taverns in the area to see if any have tables near the ladies' restroom.
Sounds like you'll be OK. At least you have a plan...look at how many of your co-workers don't.......I think that anyone who wants to work will find work, and you have a retirement safety net,so you should be able to do work you enjoy.
Been thinkin' along these lines myself....relocating in about 4-5 years...
jwwhat the heck was I thinking?
Yea Jim you definately have to plan ahead. I cant believe how many folks dont Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"
The guys who are at that age and have nothing planned are amazing. No hobbies, no interests at all. Watch TV for the rest of your life, is that the plan? Joe H
Ron,
Check out the income taxes in the states you are considering. Not just if they have them. Some states tax gov't retirement checks, SOME DON'T, even if they have income tax.bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
How do you determine the point where the free advice stops and the money starts?
Ron: I would just say that if its in your gut instincts to move..then just do it and dont look back. You will do fine. There is a lot of work out there..and I am sure you will settle in. In my case..I go to towns I have never been in...check out where the action is..and go sell some curved stairways. They have never seen or heard of me. Its all in how you present yourself. Also..I might add that the faith you have can be your biggest asset.
Hey now, I ain't sending him no money with this free advice! Got it? Good!
;o)Excellence is its own reward!
".......... no money with this free advice............"
So - Just exactly how much do you charge for free advice?
Sexism hurts everyone - Especially broads.
Whatever the market will bear.Excellence is its own reward!
Around here recently, a fellow placed a notice in the local rags that he was a carpenter moving to town on such and such date, and will be seeking clients. He left the phone numbers for his old&new homes. Don't know if it worked, but I do know a nice long list of contactable references can't hurt.
I'll let you know- doing much the same ........getting married the 28th and moving half way cross the country. I think you have a good start to a network with your SIL. Spend as much time as you can there building up contacts ........... one of them will surely pay off. The time you spend there can help you get a feel for the place ..........what's going on, the job market, who's who. Check it out ....and the shorts, too. ;o)
Edited 9/17/2002 6:57:54 PM ET by jc