Who’s on your team? I’m interested in comparing how you’ve organized your – uh – organization. I want to see if there’s a variety in the size of teams, and how “hats” are distributed.
Our present team consists of four people: the owner, the project manager, the lead carpenter, and low-man-on-the-totem-pole: yours truly. A secretary comes in one day a week.
Typical output would be ~ten custom homes a year.
The owner takes care of all the front-loaded stuff: selling jobs, working with the designer or architect, ordering material and so on. And is, of course, Where The Buck Stops.
The rest of is self-explanatory: the project manager manages all the subcontractors as well as directing the lead carpenter and me. In theory, he doesn’t do any actual labor, although he does join in on occasion, never for very long. He’s got way too much other stuff to do.
The lead carpenter and myself then take care of all the physical tasks related to managing several sites at once. Yeah, I do a lotta diggin’.
So: describe who’s on your team. Who does what? How does each person “play their position”?
Replies
This one is easy.
My team-me and my dependable subcontractors. We do the work.
along with my former clients. They find the work.
and my reliable suppliers. They keep me in material.
Biff-is the framing sub'd out?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
When did you go to a one man crew? I thought you had guys working for you. Or was I wrong about that.
I've been a one man show for about 15 years. On occasion, I call some carpenter buddies of mine when I need help on a job. And they call me when they need help.
The biggest drawback to working by myself is that I sometimes scare the customers when I tell myself what to do. Or, when I start yelling at myself.
And, yeah, having good, reliable subs can make or break you.
I've transitioned back to a one man outfit and starting to really love my work again.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I too am a one man show. Most of my career has been that way.
Out of curiosity, with your years of experience, what are the type of jobs you now take on?Anything to pay the bills? Do you often take on more than you can handle? Are you at the point where you can pick & choose? I know the economy isn't supportive at this point. You know that I'm projecting myself here.I find that I am narrowing down to finish work or restoration of architectural woodwork. I have turned down several small framing and rough carpentry work in the past months, or work that is up high. I used to try & take on everything that came my way, but I just can't manage that anymore both physically and financially.
I told the guys last year going into the winter that this would be the last of it. I wanted to focus more on design work, which has been gradually increasing percentage of my income.That was before the economic crunch hit full blast. several of the lumber yards I have bought from had mentioned how often they get DIYs come in with the proverbial napkin drawing wanting a materials takeoff and prices. I foresaw getting some referral work there in addition to building on my own previous contacts. But that work has not materialized due to the slowdown. I do have some projects on the board with more well to do clients planning for the future.I filled my schedule and pay the bills meanwhile with repairs. seems like most of the last six months was on stuff where a painter would call for some minor - just a few rotted clapboards that looked like three days work - turn into 3-4 weeks worth of rot repairs. once I am on a job, I open my eyes and the owners to point out that this rot was caused by ____, which also needs correction or repair to avoid more costly____.
I had a growth series like that once where a couple had just bought a house. They called me to do a minor fix on a porch. It was not long before I was doing a 75K porch/deck rebuild, and managed to present them a 38K kitchen design that followed suit. The following year was a major house redo on the two upper floors. all built on the right approach to that three hour deck repair. (But that was all with crews though.)
When I had multiple projects, I would often spend a couple hours at the larger job getting things moving each morning and inspecting, making decisions, etc, then go do the small work myself, which was where such salesmanship happened. Currently I am doing a bathroomlaundry remo that grew out of the design work.
This is a customer I had designed an addition for in 2002. He built it himself. I met him again at a party during the summer and he mentioned that he was wanting a design for re-doing his bathroom finally, but he was worried about finding a contractor interested in such a small job, and he could not do it himself while the wife was there in season. I said that it sounded like a perfect one man job for me for a winter job. He said, shoot me a number...and now I am doing the job - started just as winter hit hard. I have another similar one to do making an extension of some kitchen cabs to match the old for a previous customer. after this one is done. Maybe by then weather will be better and I get around to another rot repair job that is waiting for me, stretching things out with finishing those design jobs, and who knows what comes next.In reading back over this, I see my comments amplified what Calvin said about past customers being part of his team.I know I have read articles and polls from REMO magazines that show that most remo work comes from previous customers and referrals, so it pays to stay in contact with them.You can get stuck in a rut sometimes thru referrals. I remember one winter alone in CO when I ended up with something like 40-50 bathrooms to tile. I got pretty sick of grouting...LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"Do you often take on more than you can handle?"I realize I didn't answer that one.There was a time I felt that as long as there was no deadline, there was NO job too big for me, and often proved it.
But now that I am older and wearing out, I know I stand in danger of taking on too big of a job. I tend to think in terms of what I USED to be capable of.For instance, a tree ( three of them actually) recently blew down on a guy's house and I got the call to remove them and temp patch the roof in.Then I estimated for the full repairs. Thirteen squares of shingle tear-off and four sheets of plywood. skim coat and paint a ceiling.If I get the job, I'm thinking I want good weather on a day my stepson can help. It could be a challenge for one old fart alone.<< off subject as this is going - but that bid is an example of an ins co playing games. I got a call from the adjustor 12/31 asking me if I had finished the est yet, because the customer was wanting his settlement...I had emailed that estimate to him, to his company office, and to the customer within three days after the event.>>
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
20 yrs ago I left a commercial contractor and waited for the phone to ring.
Been that way since.
Luckily it has been ringing and surprise surprise-rang friday and saturday. That's why I mention my former clients being part of the team-they keep it ringing with their referrals.
Still have the original run of business cards (two boxes) that Joyce printed up at her place of employment that same 20 yrs ago. Down to a half a box now.
I sometimes joke about 'my guys'..........
Figments of an overactive imagination. Clamps and such are my extra hands.
I seldom join up with associates but when I do it's more like a guest appearance for either of us. Enjoyable to once again work together. Quit doing additions about 10 yrs ago-just got too difficult and time consuming.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Framing is subbed out, yes.Edit: Of course, we do a lot of light framing work, like building soffits/chases and so on. But we're kept very busy just with "support" activities - particularly in winter. My job description should be snow-shoveler/carpenter.Adding more: Like really, it's kind of generous to refer to me as a carpenter, but it helps my self-esteem. ;-) And I've come a long way.Edited 1/4/2009 9:55 am ET by Biff_Loman
Edited 1/4/2009 9:58 am ET by Biff_Loman
Think in terms of a larger team.
The lumberyard salesman who watches out for you on delivery schedules and upcoming price changes.
The cell phone company that works best for you to keep you in good communications so you can be in two places at one time.
The subs who work WITH you to get things done right the first time, on time.
The accountant who advises you with tax strategies that save enough to pay his bill every year.
And last but not least - the wife who is patient and supportive when you have to finish a job by working late the night before Thanksgiving, or worse - her birthday.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Sorry to stray from the topic. Since I work alone, whoever I call to help me out on each job is who is on my team. It may vary from job to job.
This may include my lumberyard, my sons who often help out if I need a hand, & other carpenters for references.
An important one for me is for the customer to be on my team.
The biggest team player though is myself. I wear a lot of hats.