My father and I have a construction business, mostly remodeling. The problem we are having is we are so overwelmed with work. As you guys know it is hard out there trying to find people who really care about workmanship or talking to customers in a professional matter. These people represent your company and name. That is why at this time we are trying to do everything ourselves and we are working seven days a week and are getting burned out. Of course we are trying to keep everybody happy which we know is impossible. The question is how do some of you handle all the work and jugle time scheduling. Do not get me wrong we are VERY fortunate to have all this work just getting tired!!
Edited 3/30/2004 9:45 pm ET by wefixwell
Replies
Raise your prices.
Then raise your prices again. And again, until enough people are turning you down that you are only working 5 days a week.
SamT
Hire help.
There are plenty of good companies that don't do "everything" themselves.
Train a couple of guys and pay them accordingly. Then set them loose with a helper or two. Check on the from time to time.
I understand your dilemma.
I feel the same way. In the past I've run two crews and hated it.
I narrowed it down to just me and a cpl of guys.
Then I started buying spec houses and working on those while living in some and some I rented out. I think I made more money doing that than working for customers and it kept me happy not having to be a psychiatrist every morning with the customers constant wining about the decisions they made...ugh.
There are lots of alternatives but what makes the most sense is keeping yourself happy, not "burnt"... that doesn't make "cents" if you know what I mean.
BE well
andy
My life is my passion!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I'm with the other guys who say raise your prices. That should allow you to work fewer hours and make more money. Think of your time and expertise as being a valuable commodity. You're doing this as a career, not for fun.
Also - Learn to say "NO". Politely but firmly. It's great that you're in demand. But when you're swamped with work you can't do everything for everybody. It gets harder and harder to do your best work when you're under pressure to get to the next job. You've got to turn some of them down.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
the best thing that i've done in the last few years is to stop working weekends.
i still work at the weekend but its on my house!!!!
i'm currently booked till about september. i just tell people they have to wait. if they want you to do the work they'll wait.
i have started subbing out some of the work, stuff like plumbing and electrical etc... so it does speed things up a bit, but the trouble is finding people who you can leave to get on with it and who work to your standards.
i've thought about taking on 2/3 other people but it scares me ridgid as they last time it was a disaster, spent ages sorting out al the cockups.
you've got to stop and take time for yourself.
Two things
Raise prices and say no to work that puts the extra burden on you. Until you do both you will be miserable and will not effectively run your business. I know, my prices are to low and I say yes to everything a builder wants.
Learn to say no and raise your prices for all new customers.