This is just a rant, probably with no particular point. Its been just about 1 year since I re-started my contracting business. Licensed since ’89, but took a few years off to pursue another career goal, which didn’t pan out. So I’m back. And the business environment here is greatly improved, but still a tough market. Lots of folks have lots more equity than they did in ’89, when I started my remodeling company.
So where am I after (almost) 1 year? I traded in my small Toyota 4×4 work truck for a fullsize pickup, with a trailer. Also have a small Toyota 2WD truck now, just as a backup. Great improvement in work vehicle situation. Tool upgrades? Definitely. During the year I picked up a slew of great tools – Bosch tablesaw and rolling stand, Bosch sliding compound miter saw, got all my finish nailers rebuilt, lots of Bessey clamps, door-boring jig, new belt sander, portable planer, drywall texture gun for small patches (I do a lot).
Office? Been working on setting up a small office in my garage, I’m about halfway there, when my daughter got married and left a spare bedroom I can convert. A friend said he has a fax machine I can have for free, once he digs it oug. Built a tool-storage room in my garage also. Got started on a workshop in the backyard (very small, 120 sq. ft.) The shell is completed, the rough wiring is done, ready for insul. and sheetrock.
Am I ready to blast-off? I really don’t know. Why did I mention burnout? During the year, these negatives came up: My daughter, who was my jobsite helper and office manager/phone call organizer, got married. (Couldn’t be happier for her – but the business took a negative impact from her leaving). My health took some hard hits – back problems, pulled tendon in my right (working) arm. Getting harder to keep going. Financially I’m a lot closer to being out of debt (other than mortgage) than I’ve ever been, but still no money in the bank, to speak of. Also, as my business has picked up, my wife’s business (and income) has declined. Not related to my business, just a coincidence.
Today, I’m feeling burned out. Been working steady, but things slowing down right now. Lots of tire kickers, but no takers. Buried under half-finished personal projects, money a little tight (a couple of recently completed small jobs out there are unpaid, I should be OK once the money from those comes in) and a little depressed. Just hard to keep the positive outlook, and the forward momentum sometimes.
There, it feels better getting that off my chest!
“he…never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too” – Mark Twain
Replies
Remember, sometimes it's darkest just before dawn. Hope things look brighter for you soon.
Good Luck!
I could write the same thing about half the time (except for the part about the daughter). Sometimes all I do is bid against guys who are either totally under the table, or guys who are half-legit and charging way too low. Our house still needs quite a bit of remodeling and the interior looks like a bomb went off (fortunately the exterior is done). Started building our shop and have a scary new payment to make on that. People periodically approach me with nice large jobs but good help is virtually impossible to find. Every time I log on here people are projecting an industry crash, bemoaning their lack of retirement savings, getting crushed by insurance companies, facing cutbacks from big developers, and dealing with illegal competition.
Just as I'm drowning in all of that something good will happen, i.e. someone calls and books a nice project that will keep things floating for a while. Or I finish a day's work and stop for a moment to ponder the fact that I'm often a very slick carpenter, and pretty good at six other trades too.
Running a business is hard, and it's harder in the early going. I'm trying to keep my head down and push thru to the 5-year point. The money hemorrhage has stopped and the thing mostly floats, which is good, but it's a major challenge every month to do everything I need to. Doing it alone can be a major PITA. Working alone is draining. Periodically I have help and that is a major lift, especially when it someone competent. Like they say, if it were easy everyone would be doing it. Now you know why there is a huge burnout/crash rate in the business. Guys decide it's too hard or they go broke and have to go to work for someone else.
David - Everything in your post hit me like a breath of fresh air - I guess its true that misery loves company! Thanks for posting that. I sometimes wonder if I'm doing something wrong (well, I know I can't be doing everything right!), but sometimes its just the system we work under that makes it so doggone difficult. Like you said, the high burnout rate is there for a reason. I just hope I can avoid becoming one of the statistics on Burnout Highway!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
I sympathize entirely. Just a couple of things that keep me going when those moments occure.
1) When I first started out a friend of mine who has been in business for himself for over 20 year told me "in america when you are in business for yourself you can make as much money as you want, you just can't control when you will make it".
2) The main reason that I enjoy being in business for myself if I say when, I say where and I say how much. Doesn't mean everyone will agree of course.
Our business is flat right now too. We are working but just not as much as we would like. So we are building a new office to fill some time. But as you know it is feast or famine. Hope you feel better. DanT
Huck
Keep your head up man. We're about 3 years in and wondering if it makes financial sense to go on....but you know we will. Just keep at it...even when it feel like your body can't, and scratch and kick (or rest in bed) until it gets better....the're only bills, and the're not going anywhere...let 'em wait when they have to, and realize all of us go through this at some point (and sometimes numerous points).
You'll be fine (but you knew that already).
Jay
edit: sorry jay, too quick to push the button.
Huck, hang in there. Keep trying. Dream up some marketing you can spring on past customers to let them know you're still in biz and are looking for quality customers (them or their friends).
From Christmas on to mid/late Jan things here looked bleak. Secured a surprise month-plus job that has taken me till now. Phone rings last nite, look at one big, one small on Sat.
For me-Luckily-things seem to work out. Here's hoping you receive the same.
Best of luck.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 3/2/2006 7:40 pm ET by calvin
"hang in there. Keep trying. Dream up some marketing"
My primary work doesn't usually lend itself to repeat work from past customers (Bakersfield Wall & Ceiling Repair), but I do do small remodels as well. I did dream up a new marketing strategy, and took some steps in that direction today. Gotta keep moving this thing forward, can't afford to stall, or look back. Thanks for reminding me that it only takes one good job to get the juices flowing again!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Thanks Jay - I work alone much of the time, and sometimes with other tradesmen, but seldom with anyone with the level of understanding I find here. Reminds me of a quote from Samuel Beckett "Where I am, I don't know, I'll never know, in the silence you don't know, you must go on, I can't go on, I'll go on.""he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Huck, that roller coaster will never change. The only thing you can change is how you deal with it.
One of the things you need to do is to either start clearing those personal projects or table them. Make a decision. Then, don't start another till the tabled ones are done. Be disciplined about that. Loose ends will always burden you.
You also have to look at the money situation more positively. You said that you are closer to being debt free but you aren't celebrating your progress. Pop yourself a Pepsi and make a toast to your progress!
Things always look bleak in February and by the end of March we'll all feel better! I've learned to take it all in stride. Instead of dipping into depression, I just roll with the punches.
What steps have you taken to deal with your lost office assistant? Don't let that void continue or it will come back to haunt you.
Also, count your blessings that your business picked up when your wifes income slipped. Somebody is looking out for you!
Don't worry, be happy!
blue
One of the things you need to do is to either start clearing those personal projects or table them. Make a decision. Then, don't start another till the tabled ones are done. Be disciplined about that. Loose ends will always burden you.
Great advice there. My projects are all over the board. Need to start tying up loose ends. So true.
You also have to look at the money situation more positively. You said that you are closer to being debt free but you aren't celebrating your progress. Pop yourself a Pepsi and make a toast to your progress!
Yeah - I could really relate to Diesel when he talked about having a hard time setting back and enjoying what's been accomplished, because of focusing so much on what is still unaccomplished! Guess that's me, too. Gotta learn to stop and count my blessings a little more often!
Things always look bleak in February and by the end of March we'll all feel better! I've learned to take it all in stride. Instead of dipping into depression, I just roll with the punches.
Guess that's a personality thing. I have no desire or intent to dip into depression - it just comes! I think some of my depression comes from my daughter's leaving, I really miss her. She was a good jobsite & office helper, and a good friend. I'm very happy for her, but she moved to Montana when she got married, and even 'tho she calls every few days, its been a real adjustment.
What steps have you taken to deal with your lost office assistant? Don't let that void continue or it will come back to haunt you.
For right now, I'm trying to take over her work myself, which means I have to spend less time in the field. Hard to do, when I'm still paying for the wedding! But my wife's personality is not conducive to the same skills my daughter had, although she is willing and does help out some, with the phone answering mainly. Just getting re-organized after the loss of one part-time employee is a major gear-shift for me!
Also, count your blessings that your business picked up when your wifes income slipped. Somebody is looking out for you!
There you go, reminding me that the cup is half-full when I could swear it's half-empty!
Don't worry, be happy!
Can't go wrong with that advice - look where it got Bobby McFerrin!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
after barely getting out alive from a great and large (for me) job well over a year ago ... I decided I needed to get things financially set first ... before jumping in the deep end again. I do plan to sooner or later jump into remodeling waters way over my head again ... no gamble/ no gain ... just gonna plan things out better next time.
anyways ... decided that a better stream of sub work would keep the cash flow flowing. I recommend everyone to look into this ... as for me ... keeping a nice mix of sub work ... let me call around and make a coupla different deals with different place ... and pick the one or two that looked to work best for me and my situation.
Once I got the steady flow of sub work ... I can now pick and choose my own work very carfeully. At the moment ... I'm down to subing for just one K&B dealer ...
they're actually keeping me a bit busier than I'd like ... not that I'm complaining about a steady stream of work. My sub rates are lower than my remodeling rates ... can't push the market rates too far ... but I rationalize that my remodeling rates are based on working less than 1500 hrs/year ... and part of that work time is bidding and running around ... and making sales call ... with the sub work ... just show up and work. No sales ... very little customer hand holding ... no advertising, etc.
Things "might" work with the perfect plan this spring ... just got a call back from a crazy rich lady that wants to restore an old hog barn ... and turn it into an "artists studio" ... I priced it to get it maybe 2 years ago ... $80K+ was more than she wanted to sink into the sinking old barn.
Year and a half later ... she called again ... barn's still there ... we downsized the project ... I priced it a bit high ... not caring one way or the other if I get the job ... still gonna be one major PITA ... and I'm not so concerned about a "challenge" at this time ... as the steady cash flow is nice.
I give my high ball park .... she wants it in writting and is "95% sure" before seeing it all on paper. Just has to make sure we're on the same page with whats included and whats not.
All the concrete and dirt work is gonna be sub'ed out to a friend. The painting and finishing will be sub'd out to a friend. My plumber and electrician will handle the mechanicals ... and the carpentery is planned to be split up with a buddy ... but he could do it all if I get over booked with sub work.
Might actually make some money this year.
Plan is ... sub till all the bills are gone. Could be a year ... could be a couple. I'd rather do all my own work just for the freedom ... but there's something to be said for pretty much making your own rules AND having a steady line of work thrown your way at very fair rates.
Kinda sorta less stress ... still stress ... just different stress.
I found the key to be ... work thru enough companies till you find one or two that you really, really get along with. Found a great family run place. A little disorganized ...
but really, really good people. Just a good family. As a bonus ... they pretty much get my sense of humor. Hope the Honeymoon doesn't end too soon ...
They seem to charge enough to support my bad habits ... that's the first step.
I know alot of guys get mad when "the man" is making all the loot ... I want them to double their rates! That way ... there's plenty left over for me.
Look for a high-end company that does what ever it is that you like to do ... and make sure they're on the way up instead of going down. I've ridden that ship before.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. I knew I'd get a pep talk and some great suggestions from you guys! No other place I know of like this. I'll try to address some of the good suggestions in reply posts. Really - thanks again!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
I owe you a royalty everytime I use the "Huck Drawers" in my van...the photos are still in the camera.Sometimes, when you don't fully appreciate your own work and ideas--it's nice to know you are respected and appreciated by others.
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.†- Mark Twain"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
I generally always learn something from your posts (thanks for the tip on the x-horses, BTW, I use mine every day). Third-generation carpenter, you obviously have picked up some good advice along the way, and are willing to share it here. How many times have I said to myself - You can't lose money on the one you walk away from!
Yeah, it would benefit me to find a coupla good companies I could sub out to on occasion. I'm not really fast at cabinets, 'tho, only half-fast, so I'd have to find someone who's needs fits my skillset, which is being pretty good at most all the carpentry and drywall entailed in small remodels, but not really a production guy at any one thing.
Oh yeah, and I don't carry liability, which most generals require from their sub's. Do you have to have liability ins? I know I'll probably want it eventually anyway, but right now its very expensive in Calif., and I can barely justify my overhead costs as it is, with all the "bootleg" contractors out there!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
"Oh yeah, and I don't carry liability, which most generals require from their sub's. Do you have to have liability ins? I know I'll probably want it eventually anyway, but right now its very expensive in Calif., and I can barely justify my overhead costs as it is, with all the "bootleg" contractors out there!"
Ummmm, ok what puts a contractor in the "bootleg" catagory for you? In my book one of the main criterea is no insurance. Not to do the soap box thing here but what on earth are you going to do if you (not intentionally of course) create a major problem on a job?
And the better question is what is the home owner going to fall back on? Bad business in my book. In my mind you are a bootlegger of sorts and walking a dangerous tight rope for both you and your customer. DanT
what puts a contractor in the "bootleg" catagory for you? In my book one of the main criterea is no insurance
That may be so in your book, but not according to Calif. contracting law. Thus, "bootleg" here means: unbonded and unlicensed but still bidding over $500 labor and materials, unlicensed and using a fake # to appear to be licensed, having employees that are paid in cash under the table (meaning no legitimate wage deductions for soc. sec., worker's comp, fica, etc.), having employees that are uninsured by worker's comp.
I have discussed this with my insurance agent, and he said that my dollar volume did not merit a liability policy at this point, in his opinion. Homeowner's insurance will cover any injuries or damage, according to him. Calif. liability insurance is hard to get. I have several contractor friends who were dropped by their carrier, without ever filing a claim. One buddy, who builds a few houses a year, had to go to Loyds of London to get liability insurance, which costs him $8000/yr. Another guy I know, a drywall/metal stud contractor, has liability ins. and legitimate employees, but is going backwards financially - during boom times. And his carrier just called him and told him that they just realized he is a "framer" (metal stud), so they are going to double his rate. They poor guy was practically in tears as he was telling me this, said he didn't know what to do.
When my dollar volume of income can absorb another $6-700 of monthly overhead, I'd love to have liability insurance. I'd love to have health insurance. I'd love to have an office/warehouse downtown with a fleet of vehicles and a couple of crews of top notch pro's at my beck and call. I'd love to have a retirement fund and a summer house in the Hamptons. For right now, I'll stick with the legal requirements for contracting, and continue getting undercut by those who don't.
However, I do come here to learn. If you can tell me you're a sole proprietorship licensed contractor in California (edited to add: in Kern County, Calif. - the economy here is a lot different from other parts of the state I've worked in) doing small repairs/remodels with a million or a half a million dollars in liability insurance, I'm all ears - how do you do it? My neighbor/friend is a part-time contractor, and also a full-time insurance salesman. I've asked him if he had any ideas how I could do it, and he said No way - the insurance companies he represents wouldn't touch contractor's liability insurance in California with a ten foot pole.
"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Edited 3/3/2006 10:42 am by Huck
I guess if you can live with it then it must be ok. I am a "to each his own" person.
I would have a difficult time sleeping without it but then I am a light sleeper anyway. But frankly if I were in the situation that you describe, financially that is, I might think about getting a job. This business is hard (as you know since it is your thead lol) and to do it without making a living without at least minimal catastrophic risk, I wouldn't do it. But again it is free country. Good luck! DanT
Huck -
As far as insurance is concerned, to me it's overdone. I think we as a society have been conditioned that insurance is a necessity. Part of it is due to the marketing of the insurance companies. Some of it is due to refusal to take personal responsibility. Some of it is "fear" generated by the news stories of lawsuits that should never have happened.
It doesn't make someone a bad person not to carry it, although some people may feel that way. There are other cultures that do not believe in insurance - the Amish, IIRC. Not carrying it means that "you" are self insuring. The question becomes - how much risk are you willing to take? The same is true whether it's medical, liability, fire, or other insurance, the exception being when the government requires it.
Turning to the issue of your situation, it sounds like you are in decent shape financially, and you need to give it time. When I started my first business I was too ignorant to know "the rules". I just went into business and figured if I did a good job at a fair price, the referrals would come. It happened that way, just slower than I wanted.
I remember after I was in business about three years and I was complaining about the pace of the growth. One of my clients told me it takes 5 years to get up and running. Nobody told me that before I started. Oh well...
I wish I had this board back then. Good luck.
Don K.
Man, I pay 700 bucks a year for a million bucks of general liability, I might have to rethink trying to make a move to Andersen Valley<G>I've been doing construction stuff, mostly on my own, for 30 years. There's either too much work, or not enough, it's always that way, I guess I've just gotten used to it...but, if you've done folks right, something always comes up. Judging from your posts, you care about your work, things will come up.If you want to get stuff done on your own house, get some employees. When the slack times hit, assuming you want to keep 'em (the help, that is), your place can be looking pretty spiffy...we're clearing brush next week, good thing I've got liabilty insurance<G> Hey, pocket doors can't come off the track if they're nailed open
huck... sounds like your insurance agent should find another line of work..
<<< he said that my dollar volume did not merit a liability policy at this point, in his opinion. Homeowner's insurance will cover any injuries or damage, according to him. >>>
BS... if you are injured his HO is not covering you..
and .. any liability damages to his proerty may be covered by his insurance , or may not.. in any case , his insurance company will come after you to make it good
if you are working by yourself. think about a part time bookeeper a couple hours a week..
if you have employees , use a payroll service
get rid of as many hats as you can. you will always wear too many as it is... so any you can hang on someone else's head frees you up to do what you really need..
marketing , selling and producing..... estimating & pricing....
those are more than enough for one person.. matter of fact.. the load is too much to sustain.. so you have to reduce the load or get employees to delegate some of it to..
the burnout comes often if you are overworked and underpaid.....overworked you can handle
underpaid ... who isn't ?.. but combining the two is deadly
raise your prices , sharpen your marketing & selling skills to get your price, then find employees that you can now afford to hire with your better pricing
your business can be a downward spiral or a slow staircase to success..
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
huck... sounds like your insurance agent should find another line of work..
Well, not sure I agree with your assessment, but I don't totally disagree, either. He's been my agent for almost 20 years, but I haven't been real happy with him lately. Some issues that came up on another front, have caused me to question his sincerity in dealing with my personal circumstances. Of course, my business has grown somewhat since his quoted comment, so I'm revisiting that matter now. Maybe I can find a viable carrier, we'll see.
if you are working by yourself. think about a part time bookeeper a couple hours a week..
This sounds like a good option worth exploring. Thanks for the suggestion.
raise your prices , sharpen your marketing & selling skills to get your price, then find employees that you can now afford to hire with your better pricing
Sounds like good advice, I'm on it! Thanks for taking the time to respond. I value the input from pro's like yourself."he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
huck... 20 years ago i had an agent that advised me not to buy WC for my employees..
i shopped around and found an agent who specialized in construction.. then later i found a bigger agency that also specialized in construction...
the 2d one consolidated all of my insurance and saved be $3000 on my previous $15K premium
my point is that an agent that advises not having insurance sounds like they can't be bothered looking for a policy that fits you
do you belong to a Builder's Association ?.. anything affiliated with the NAHB ?
or a Remodeler's group ?... the networking and lobbying they do on our behalf pays their dues back in spades ...
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Edited 3/4/2006 9:08 am ET by MikeSmith
do you belong to a Builder's Association ?.. anything affiliated with the NAHB ? or a Remodeler's group ?... the networking and lobbying they do on our behalf pays their dues back in spades ...
No, I don't. I ran a thread awhile back inquiring about this, but didn't get much positive response. I did look into NARI, but never went beyond the looking stage. Again, I appreciate your insights. Do you recommend NAHB or NARI? "he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
whichever is most active in your area
here in RI, the RIBA is a member group of NAHB, so by joining RIBA , i'm a member of NAHB ( since 1975 )
RIBA has a strong membership and a good remodeler's council
if you're a homebuilder, it's a no-brainer...if you're a remodeler, it depends on which has the best program
like any thing , you get more out of the organization , the more you participate
i think my dues are now about $250 / year
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Huck,
Blue's advise is true......seek out, discover and acknowlege your success with a pat on your back.......because the truth is, no one else is gonna do it for you.
Now let's see........
You've been at it for a year, you have little or no business debt, you are well equiped, have reliable transportation, your building space for the future, and your wife still lives with you.
Sounds pretty good....calls for a Pepsi, doncha think Blue?
Your learning that you must take care of your body. It's your main tool. And now your discovering that you have to separate your soul; ego; self-esteem, call it what you want....from the realities of the business.
This is new territory for you to explore.
I've found that I need a complete departure from the business to chill. A couple of activities I've tried are both small and large.
One small example is to go trap shooting. Gets my mind down the barrel and outta the B.S. of the moment. Live music work wonders too.
A big one is vacations. They don't have to be big, but they do need to be away. How? The only way I found to get away is to book it. In advance. I plan a get-a-way for the spring break, right during the dull, dark winter months because it makes me look to the future, it creates hope. I also do a week-end retreat in the summer and a weekend blues festival in during the year. It would be great to take long vacations but the reality is, not now.
Look, your growing your business, As Big C and others have pointed out, your at the mercy of the market. Anything you do to market your business is time well spent. If you don't have any legal problems, major heath problems, family relationship problems .......hey, ya got it half licked!
Keep us informed. I'm sure you have a different tale in a month or so..........
And now your discovering that you have to separate your soul; ego; self-esteem, call it what you want....from the realities of the business. This is new territory for you to explore.
Truer words were never spoken!
I've found that I need a complete departure from the business to chill. A couple of activities I've tried are both small and large. A big one is vacations. They don't have to be big, but they do need to be away.
Again, I know this is true, but find it very hard to do (didn't Diesel say something like that too? I can relate to a lotta stuff he says!). Only when DW grabs me by the collar and says We're going and no ifs ands or buts outta you! Then every time I say Why did I put this off so long? Yeah - mainly the weekenders for us, too. Short but sweet - no phones, housework, bills or emails for a few days. Does wonders for the soul. Thanks for reminding me - I think I feel one coming on!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
I've been on here plenty of times over the years bitching about one thing or another going wrong. Heck, several of the guys here went through the "Spec House from Hell" a few years back. I complained long and hard about that thing.So don't feel bad about coming in here and unloading a bit. Comparing notes on stuff like this is one of the best functions BT provides, IMHO.Here's a special tag line to cheer ya up:
It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
thanks! I guess its true what they say - There is light at the end of the tunnel... Its another train coming right at you!
“All good things arrive unto them that wait - and don't die in the meantime†- Mark Twain
edited to add: Loved that thread on the Spec House from Hell! Man, I had tears in my eyes, I laughed so hard. You oughtta get that story published, it was that good.
"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Edited 3/3/2006 10:47 am by Huck
"Loved that thread on the Spec House from Hell! Man, I had tears in my eyes, I laughed so hard. You oughtta get that story published, it was that good."
Well, no one from Taunton has even expressed an interest in it. And I can't think of anyone else who might.
I'd rather see 'em print the "blue dog" story in their "greatest moments" section. (Can't remember who told that one) I even emailed them about that one, but only got a response that they were thinking about it.
I did submit the "Carl's Combine" story to a farm magazine, and it's supposed to be published in their June issue. That will be a first for me.
Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune [William James]
I did submit the "Carl's Combine" story to a farm magazine, and it's supposed to be published in their June issue. That will be a first for me.
See if you can get a few extras when it comes out - I want a signed copy. So I can tell people "I knew him before he got discovered!" Its coming."he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
"I've found that I need a complete departure from the business to chill. A couple of activities I've tried are both small and large.
One small example is to go trap shooting. Gets my mind down the barrel and outta the B.S. of the moment. Live music work wonders too.
A big one is vacations."
I completely agree, here's my release: I'm usually dragging along a 6x10 tool trailer, in the front corner is a spot big enough for my golf clubs or skis (season dependent, of course). Since most of my work is smaller in scope I try and reward myself at least weekly for a job well done, or, if I'm having one of those days that things just ain't working right I get out of dodge. Blow off a couple of hours on nice afternoon and hit the links for a quick 9 or a half day pass at the mountain. I find I'm better balanced for the long term rather than letting it build up into a meltdown. This summer my truck rack will have a new companion for the ladders - a kayak.
As for longer vacations, they just don't interest me. I prefer many long weekends thru-out the year rather than waiting for the '2 weeks at the beach' kind of thing. But that's just me.
Also, I'd bet Huck could find someone very talented to work mother's hours (say, 10-2) a couple days a week to make up for his daughters departure. I'm amazed at the women I've met who've put their careers on hold to have a family and would kill for a challenging job able to accomodate their kids schedule. Not just the books but call to set and confirm appointments, line up inspections...all for short money.
-Norm
End of your first year and your bank balance is near zero? We must be related. ( I started in '91).
I'll co-miserate on the wife's lower income. DW was on paid medical leave of absense for a few months, but decided not to go back at all. So she is done working for now.
Bye Bye to her income and benefits.
A little reshuffling of the financial deck, but we're doing alright. Paid the first dentist bill out of pocket this week, then broke about a third of a crown off a tooth a half day later.
Customers? In January I had been working with someone on a kitchen remodel, then it was down to new counter and doors and fronts. Get the contract from the cabinet shop, and call the customer to arrange for a start check, and she tells me that she wants the cabinet shop's contract sent directly to her as she has someone who is going to do it for $25/hr. (The flooring guy who was putting in the Pergo floor in another room when the customer and I were going over the work)
Customer 2: Did a few small projects, then she asked about enclosing a back porch. I did some rough figuring and ballparked $30,000. She said she had another estimate for $15,000. I explained that 2 Pella patio doors, 5 windows, rough quote from the tile flooring sub, and the cedar planking for the inside would be well over $10,000 just to sart and that $15K price sure didn't leave much room for framing, demo, siding, electric, etc. She agreed, but I am waiting for the design/estimate start check on that one.
But hey, that's the ride we are on. One of my old bosses used to say,"Sometimes it's a poop sandwich, you eat it or starve."
When all the small petty problems start grinding on me, I try to look at them individually, and concentrate on one at a time. Kind-of like duck hunting. When a flock comes over, you don't shoot at the whole flock. Pick one out and drop it before picking out another. After a few problems are dropped, my spirits seem to really pick up. Probably because at that point I feel back in control, and proactive.
Bowz