Anyone do this in there area?
Had a buddy call me and suggest we try to combine efforts and get on “the list”.
He’s freah out on his own …. years ago worked for a contractor … now long outta business …. that had some contacts that led to working for the state.
My buddy had to become “state certified” …. or something like that .. to be able to work on those jobs. Said it was mostly little repair work on state owned “historical sites” …. we’re hoping the same inspector he worked with about 15 yrs ago is still around … as my buddy had to show the guy how to hand nail cedar roof shingles the right way … during my buddy’s “test” … he passed!
The contractor my buddy worked for lost the right to take these jobs due to something less than legit .. not sure the details … so we’re thinking he’d be a last resort on getting the right info.
We both gotta do some internet and phone searches … even gotta figure out who at which state dept to contact first.
Last time my budy heard from the old employer … he called and said he was trying to land a state wide contract that’d keep a guy and a half busy all year round …. traveling and repairing …. said he’d off my buddy $50K/yr plus expenses to be that guy and a half … so there must be money in it once you jump thru the hoops.
Any idea how to get started getting started?
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Replies
$50k/year to be a guy and a half? Sounds a little light to me- I wouldn't be a guy without the half for that.
State work has it's goods and bads. The projects are often underfunded, so you end up with a half-azed set of plans/specs, and have to "make it work". At the same time, anyone who is "state certified" (which doesn't mean a whole lot in most states) can bid on the jobs- you're bidding against a wide range of contractors, many of whom don't price a job correctly, and low bidder always wins. You can spin your wheels bidding and bidding, and never get a single job.
Lastly, see if you'll need to post bid bonds with your bids. You'll need to establish a relationship with a bonding company if you do.
Bob
$50K boils down to $25/hr ...
in an area where most guys can hope to someday make $15 .... $18 tops ... or dare dream $20?
So it's pretty good employee money .... lotsa subs around these parts charge $25 and get by ...
But ...
Thanks as to the other info too.
I was thinking that since this is "historical restoration" work ...
Probably lots of the budgets get axed each year.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Jeff,
Having worked in maintenance for the State (a prison) while not on the historical side we did work with many of the same contractors. They all said that the historical work was fabulous money, or you lost money. It seems you are bidding somewhat blind as to what someone else has done in the past.
The other issue they talked a lot about was getting a job that required some change orders then being pulled off the job 80% of the way through because the change orders ate up the funding. 2 years later new funding is found and the historical society people couldn't understand why you can't finish the work for the same 20%, after all thats all they asked for. Anyway thats what I know. DanT
Historical repair is a whole world unto itself. As a plasterer I have worked on many churches, the NJ Statehouse Dome project, Bway theaters and many other historic sites in and around NYC. These are usually union jobs unless you are a specialist and brought in by the state or company. They can be very interesting but very very tedious with the red tape especially waiting for the fundings. There are also various degrees of repair. With real restoration you may not get to use new products or the products you want and are used to, plus there may be alot of research on your part as to techniques. Then there's conservation which goes even deeper into the books and techniques and can be very painsatking and require much much patience but can be very rewarding if you have a love for history. I'm not sure how lucrative it is if you own a company. You get to travel alot which can be fun but tiring.