Ok ladies and gents,
How does a 40something framer/plumber/electrician/tiler/roofer carry on his own business when uncomfortable with hiring subs…..After a decade of running other contractors’ crews, I went it alone (literally) in 1999. Heavy kitchen and bath renovations, small additions, metal roofs, blahblahblah. I’ve had a few really good helpers; one took his life, one was highly skilled but dishonest, and my current one is a friend of 34 years who is being pressured to return to his previous career.
I have no interest in being a “paper” contractor, but I am beginning to feel the stress. I don’t offer w. comp. or health insurance, my state certifications are constantly being pared down, and MegaCorp national homebuilding/improvement companies have followed all the northern companies moving south to exploit our cheap undereducated non-union labor. Whew! The common refrain in town is hire a Mexican. I’ve co-worked with one who was wonderful. But the ambulance-chasers in town are airing ads in Spanish, and MegaCorp Inc. is willing to risk a little more for profit than I am. Boys, I’ve got to wonder if it’s time to get out. I have a real hard time delegating work, unless it’s someone I really trust.
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>> I've got to wonder if it's time to get out.
What would you do instead?
I have a drafting education, a 10 year stint as an auto dealer parts mgr., and 14 yrs in residential const. Lately, my pet job has been whole house renovation for foreclosure buyers........I read an earlier post from a CAD man looking to enter the construction biz and I thought to myself, Man I hope he's got DEEEEEEEEEEP pockets.
I know there is a good, honest living to be made, but measuring and selling jobs at night, balancing the ckbook, handling the taxes, maintaining the trucks and tools, and working the jobs all day leaves little time to be a good daddy.
I suppose I could return to the foreman role in a big co., but that usually means drugs and head bangin' radio, neither of which I tolerate very well.