Constant request for work I prefer to avoid
I’m a one-man operation doing small projects such as decks, kitchen, bath remodels etc. I have plenty of experience with drywall but I truly dislike doing it. Why do I get so many calls to do drywall? I don’t go out looking for it or even mention it in conversation.
When people ask what I do, the next question invariably is “Do you do drywall?”
I look at tools such as a banjo, stilts and know they would be a tremendous help but I refuse to purchase tools for work I hate. For years I looked at the brief period I worked on a drywalling crew as a blessing, the experience kept me busy with work, but that blessing has become a curse. Now I know what the actor that played Gilligan feels like.
AGGGHHHH! I’m stuck in a drywall rut. HELP! Anybody else in a simular situation?
Scott R.
Edited 7/1/2002 10:55:23 AM ET by Scott R.
Replies
The problem is, there aren't that many competent people who do drywall anymore... plus, it's extremely physical, and is intimidated by the smallest of patch jobs. You're in demand, and you need to decide if you have a price per hour that you're willing to do this type of work at... with a minimum price just for "showing up" and giving an estimate. This will weed out the smaller, piddly jobs.
If he ever needs a sheetrock job in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, please drop me a note... I'm a superintendent for one of the larger commercial drywall companies in the metroplex.
Mark
Scott, I have spent a lot of time in the past as a one-man band and it can be rediculously profitable if you approach it from the right mind set.Develope a mercenary attitude and charge through the nose for the jobs you hate----I mean really sock it to them.buy the tools that you need and apply yourself to the loathesome task at hand. When you become really good at something AND outrageously profitable at it----you won't hate it so much---in fact you will probably like it.
Aloha Scott;
Several ideas come to mind that might help. Raise the price so high that even drywall would be fun to do. Suggest that they consider tile, panelling or some other more inviting wall treatments instead of drywall. Or you can find somebody else that is doing good work and maybe you can sub it out. Last but not least just say no!, thank you.
Dan Remember, if it was easy, everybody would do it.
I know how you feel, drywall is a bitch at the best of times. Like you say why buy all those tools if you are only going to do it every now and then. I have the very basics of drywall tools and make the best of the situation. What I hate is roofing not that it is hard or back breaking or the risk of flying on a very short flight of which the landing kind of sucks. I always get compliments on the roofs that I do but that still doesn't encourage me to take it up full time. Another one that I am not to fond of is concrete. I worked on a library which almost made entirely made of concrete, even the interior walls were concrete. It is like going to a bunker. I think the only reason I don't like it is because it is so unforgiving. You screw up it is there for life.
For anything that I don't do, I say, "I don't do that but I can find someone for you, if you like and add my percentage on to his bill"
Alas! You've stolen my motto!Johnny On The Beach...........
You mean "excellence.." or "add my percentage..."Excellence is its own reward!
I gave up a long time ago trying to be the "Jack of all Trades" and more of a facilitator. Hence, "I don't do that but I can find someone for you!" has become a common phrase for me.
Clients trust that I'll find someone skilled to fit the job and, using my contacts, I do!Johnny On The Beach...........
I'm a one man band (but with helpers) and I do mostly kitchens and baths, basement and attic conversions, pt decks, an occasional dormer or two, I might have an addition comming up next year. I do drywall - and painting, and floor sanding, and wall coverings, and roofing, and... I stop at plumbing and electrical only because a license is required for those.
When someone asks if I do any particular task I say "Yes, but only as a part of the larger project".
On my upcomming job I'm hired to oversee the project and to do the finish carpentry. Framers will do the framing, drywallers th drywall, painters to paint, I do all the miscellaneous stuff. Then, I get to trim it out and get the recognition.
The subs are all union guys that work for my client. Talk about a dream job. This is also the same customer that wants a 2 1/2 story addition next year. I believe this current job (it's a basement remodel) is a testing ground before the addition.
Edited 7/3/2002 12:12:44 AM ET by WEBTROOPER
Scott,
I price it high and then job it out to a friend of mine that is a maintenance supervisor at a large appartment complex. I usually take from $65 to $150 off of the top for myself. Even then its a pain in the butt. Most of the work is at fraternity and sority houses and dealing with students is a pain.. And it seems as though it always involves other crap like re-attatching door to their frame..
In residential i just tell them I don't do it. Sometimes I do it for a client if I am there for other reasons like a major remodelling job.
Hey larry, I'll take those sorority jobs for you...Old Pro...
Scott,
There is always a price at which a job becomes interesting.
Greg
And there's always a price at which the customer gags. I'd start the bidding at $250/hr, 8 hour minimum, cash, in advance.
On the other hand, if the customer is someone you may want to do other work for in the future ...
"On the other hand, if the customer is someone you may want to do other work for in the future ..."
BINGO! I've been through the lean times (and that was just last month :-) Earlier this year a small DW job turned into a ton of work and several referrals.
What prompted me to post this is I just received a call just for DW work as I was working on a bid that mainly consisted of DW (which I plan to sub out) I told her sure, but the first I can get to it will be in about 2 months. Think she can't wait.
Why don't a ton of calls for stuff I really like to do and make good money doing it??????
Scott R.
Scott, its always been like that . Sorry. If a contractor has a drywall -carp on his payroll, he will get to do very little saw dust making. And , if you are a professed good painter ??????? Say good bye to saw dust , unless you want to borrow some to clean up a paint spill. Ive been on jobs for more years than I want to talk about. Ive seen it happen very many times . Happened to me .
Best I can figgure ; every body wants to do the carpenter work. Even women want to . [do carpenter work that is ] Lots of people slobber over trim , and inside wood work. Not many want to be so messy they are ashamed to go out to eat at lunch. I think its a class thing , getting messy , textured eyes, hair , powder up your nose , I will quit goin on bout that !!!!!
You tell some lady you just got through building a set of cabinets and shes drooling .......you did !!!!! etc> But tell her the reason you look the way you do is that you just got through sanding her bedroom ,....theres something missing with her expression !!!!!!
I can only tell you one thing positive about doing drywall. I was working when carps were at home , and I always made better money . Thats the whole truth and nothing but the truth .
Tim Mooney
ah, let me give you one more ,
GC has three applicants , only needs one .
First says ; Im good framer .
Second says ; Im good finish carpenter
Third says ; I do frame , finish , drywall, concrete, painting , and quite a bit of flooring and tile. Oh ya , Im a brick and block layer too. Ive put in a lot of foundations .
Well, ....I guess I can hande bout any thing youve got .