I’ve asked this question a time or 2 before here on BT. I think it’s interesting to hear what’s going on all across the country. And I’m partly asking because I’m surprised at how slow things are here.
We had a heck of a busy summer. I constanty had people on my case about getting things done and getting the work out. But things slowed down suddenly and dramatically right before Thanksgiving.
This morning I got an email from my boss saying I get to take 2 unpaid weeks off since things are so slow.
It’s not just our company, ether. We’ve been losing jobs to my former employer because they can kick jobs out in 3 days.
Not really looking to complain, just curious how things are elsewhere…
My kid beat up your honor student.
Replies
We're just the opposite here in michigan. We had an awfully slow spring, early summer. Now that the weather has started to get colder, raining more and more and don't forget the snow, the phone has been ringing steady for last minute jobs (windows, siding and roofs) before we shut down for the winter. When the boss and I get back from florida, its going to be busy in the spring. Election year is what the boss has said.
Jeremy
Southern NY....pretty damned busy....neither weather nor aproaching holidays seems to be slowing us down.
I take the week between Christmas and New Years off every year to be home with wife (school teacher) and kids. Most years I`m scrambling to finish up this and that in the final weeks......looks like this year won`t be any exception.
Hope things start to turn for you.....any chance of lining up some side gigs?
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
"any chance of lining up some side gigs?"
I kinda doubt it. No one wants to start a project right before or during the holidays. And I don't know anyone even discussing anything.
On the positive side, it will give me a chance to catch up on some stuff around the house.
There are two reasons why it is nearly impossible to solve a redneck murder. One, all the DNA is the same. Two, there are no dental records.
I have been subbing to greebCu and except forrain and excessive wind (like today) he is keeping me right busy..the dry erase board on his wall has my name all over it for wood roofs coming up, and then, break me in on some copper work.
My own work (besides the house_) is plentiful..A porch cieling, repair of a fluted 10' column, rebuild a trellis, repairing windows for a church, and possibly a shingle R&R, and anther shool house restoration.....those are just whats on the board for now..lots of irons in the fire as well. I have a custom guitar on order for delivery in less than 9 mos. for a well known (but little heard) artist.
With the DW leaving Thur for Fla. for a week, mebbe I can get some messy work done on the house, if the weather cooperates.
Oh, I also have work in NC if I can get away from the house for a week or so..R&R a front door, and lay 1,000 sqft of yellow pine flooring
I'd say I am busy enough..lol
The new homes going up around here is pretty hectic, a local farm just auctioned off at 4 million for 390 acres..mebbe 60 houses gonna go in there..8 miles from my front door..should be plenty of trim if I want it..and furniture/ cabs for the new owners...not to mention decks..I don't advertise either. Being "new" to the area, I am glad i have so much on the plate..now if the weather holds, we be fine.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
These guys are intimidating... Im one in your shoes. We were joking a week ago about hiding your skills because everyone wants you to put up lights and stuff, but just before Thanksgiving my work slowed too.
I got a few things out since then, but finished my last yesterday and dont have anything on hand... a few bids fell through.
A lot of my clients tend to freak out do to family things, parties, and probably money at this time of year. I figure unless something drastic happens I wont have much til mid January.
I havent advertised for the last 2 years so I think that will change this week.
Busy?? Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
The largest employer in the county shut down this summer. The most recent in a series of plant closings over the past ten years.
I've got work for the next week, maybe two. Nothing very large.
The yard guy says that no one is busy. Suddenly, there are hardly any building permits in the paper (some weeks none).
My best customer has me do lots of work on his three rental houses (totaling maybe thirteen rentals...all one bedroom or efficiency), but now he has one house competely vacant for the first time in a long time. No more work until a couple of those apts. are filled.
Vapor work for spring is starting to appear, if I'm not out of business by then.....(not likely since I don't know what I would do instead....)
Rich Beckman
Of course there's a problem, people are involved!
We have work booked for about 6 weeks but it seems kind of soft. We try to have one big job (by big I mean 5-15k) going and then fill in with small stuff for the holes and times when two guys aren't needed. We still have the big jobs but aren't seeing the smaller fill ins like usuall for this time of year.
I usually work my butt off to get the week between Christmas and New Years off but this year the help is taking vacation too. So, not starving but could be better. DanT
How about your rentals?
Tim Mooney
Same question to you, Tim. How's the rentals?
When Dad went nearly 2 years ago, I got 1/3 of the estate, and started looking. Finally found a house 101 years old, split into 3 suites. I have work to do on it, but keeping it rented is usually not a problem, and schedule my maintenance .......
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
My rentals are 100 percent . Thats a tall order , but I work very hard at it. My renters are first call . I baby them. I visit with them . Id hold and kiss their kids I guess like a politician. What ever it takes. I make more money from them than my job is the main reason. They were also there when I was sick to save my butt and Ive got new respect.
Tim Mooney
We are 100% full. The market here had softened somewhat a year ago but I had no turn over till this summer. Dropped the rent on one in a marginal neighborhood by $50 when I couldn't get a decent application, that did it. My theory is when things are slow lower the rent a bit and steal someone elses good tennant, and in this case thats just what happened. Best tennant I have had in that house ever.
Since we have had a few slow days we have been doing a bunch of maintenance on them so it all works in the end. Thanks for asking. DanT
Sorry, too, to hear about the slowdown in your neck of the woods.
We're busy, just getting ready to frame a large house in Hopkinton, MA. If anybody has/is a lead framer they want to hold onto but don't have work for, send them my way for the fill-in. 6-8 weeks.
[email protected]
I don't know how it works in other states, but here in Washington if you are out of work more than 1 week unpaid you are eligible to collect unemployment benefits. At least that's how it was in the 80s, last time I was an employee.
I grew up around a lot of "real men" who said things like "never collected a day of unemployment in my life", but the truth is, that 400-500 per week (or whatever it's up to now) sure helps pay the bills while you look for other opportunities/consider your options.
Good luck, hope things work out for you.
How busy am I?I am fortunate I guess- booked thru June. I suspect it maybe isn't a lot of work- I am just incredibly slow and possibly inept. Surely word will spread and I will be on the dole by mid March.
what? yer about 5 hours away? Come down for a week, make some $ and go jhome for the weekends..we got a ton of work here, if ya know anything at all..hell, i'll even put ya up! (with ya doing chores of course)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
"...if ya know anything at all..."Always a catch..."(with ya doing chores of course)"...or two.I don't trust my van to go to the next county, and you want me to drive five hours to another state!!Rich BeckmanOf course there's a problem, people are involved!
I was about to reply how busy I am and all that, when the phone rang - a guy looking for work - he just got caught up...hmmm
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Wanna fly me out there for a couple weeks of work ???(-:
In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.
Naw, Can't afford too many guys who spend all their time on BT when they're supposed to be working, LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"Naw, Can't afford too many guys who spend all their time on BT when they're supposed to be working, LOL"
Now that was funny . I dont care who ya are , that was funny right there !
Larry The Cable Guy
Tim Mooney
sometimes, I suprise even myself
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Boss,
Metro Denver. Steady but no barn burners going on. New construction, sales aways slip for the next 2 months. Have 20-30 units going on right now . 4-5 frame starts per week. Foundation guy has the green light for about 25 more units.
My economic indicater is the amount of help wanted adds in the sunday paper, still quite a few jobs in the paper. How much they pay is another question.
Happy Holidays!
Hey ya'll. Howdy from the mtnsof W Tx where things are booming and have been for about ten years. It's all retirement too cuz we have no industry. The county I live in is larger than R.I. and has a total pop of about 9400. I build houses and additons and remodels. Got two full time employees. Every contractor around ( all 12 of us) is booked for a year or two in advance.
Same here in Boulder, suddenly the incoming calls stopped. People are starting to decorate and shop....I did it myself (had to). I guess I'll take the time and compose a nice Holiday letter for my customers since I did not run any ads for quite some time. Do you do any advertising and if so, which way?
Sorry to hear about the unpaid vacation, I hope something turns up soon.
Over here in the UK, I guess it's the same as in the US, in other words, variable. I had nothing booked and only a couple of possibles for the new year, then out of the blue, sunday evening, a large job I'd bid on a few weeks ago and had forgotten about, the client rings up and she wants to go ahead! Now! So I put up some christmas tree lights and started playing christmas songs. I collected the start cheque today, so it looks like I'm in business for another couple of months.
John
I'm as busy as a one legged man in a butt kickin' contest.
I'm in central Ct. I've got more work than I can get to. Someones not gonna get their project done. I'm raising my rates for the new year and not looking back!
I'm supposed to sign a contract later today for a 50K remodel. If theres just one descrepancy I'm gonna walk, no problem.
Quiet here in Central MA.
I've done a week here, a few days there, but as far as a big job, $30k+, nothing right now.
I prefer the big stuff verses this load up the van and run in, do a little, and head back off to another job. I am thinking about taking an ad out in the local paper to try and generate new business in January.
-Mark
maybe your former employer was doing them so fast because they were hungry and out of work and that could have been because they did lousy work - just specuilating, but that's the way it often goes in my experience.
But another viewpoint too, is this. From some of whqat you have said about situations in your company, I get the idea that the owner is a jerk who knows little about people management nad or customer relations. That will eventually have an effect on his clientel. That could be a source of the slowdown you are now seeing.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I'm pretty sure the slowdown is wide spread. I have an Uncle who works for my ex-employer, and he also says they're slow. The lumberyards, concrete guys, and contractors are all slow. Your points about my employer are well taken. But I don't think it's the case this time.
I haven't had my coffee yet, don't make me kill you.
Boss,
Since most of my adult life I've been a Carpenter most of my friends are Carpenters. From what I can see in My area ( the Northwestern side of N.J. and the Eastern side of P.A ) things are still booming.
A good friend of mine is a trimmer who does mostly high end stuff ( Over 2 Mil sales price for the finished house) and he's Booked for the next 18 months. He has offered me enough work to stay busy for a year if the stop loss is ever listed and I decide to ETS.
The guy who took over my business is booked for at least two months. Keep in mind that it's small jobs. A day here, Three days there, A day over here. But as he completes each week, another weeks worth of work magically appears on the fax machine ( the kick of all that is that I tried for two years to land his main account. I took him on to teach him as he was in an employment rut. I finally landed the account. Six weeks later Uncle Sam came a callin. Oh well, life's funny that way. I'm glad he's doing well). The Shop that keeps him the busiest has said they that if I ever am a Private citizen again they can give me two months worth of work right up front.
I have builders calling me about once or twice a month and it usually goes like this, " Hey, I know your not in business anymore but could ya maybe do this one job for me on a weekend or something" . Anytime I feel like it I can take leave and make an extra $300 for a 9 hour day. All I've got to do is pick up the phone.
Know what scares me about all this? It's just like the late eighties was around here. building going on everywhere. Then, One day, It was like you had fallen asleep and woken up six months later. Overnight it just stopped. Companies are laying off. Lucent is gone from my area and it's replacment, Triquint has just announced big layoffs. Air products is letting people go. How long before it all catches up.
Thought about selling my house on the high and buying again after the bubble bursts. The split level down the street that sold for $200K last year, just sold for $289K last week.
I give more work away than I take on. I've been swamped and over my head for years now. I ain't complaining, because I've been on the other side. I think it's because I'm a single carpenter contractor, a lone wolf type willing to do the smaller stuff. Lot's of people want that. You have to go where the $$ is too.
I'm with JAYBIRD , southern NY is just cruising right now and has been for some time. Got four 4000 sq. ft. new houses to trim,kitchens and baths, decks and mantles until spring. Side work in the shop is about a piece every two months. I'm turning down work and job offers all the time. Doesn't look like there's a end in sight although if you've been around long enough you now how it can get.
That's what makes me laugh sometimes, a lot of the kids who've been in the trades for 5- 10 years think this is the norm. I keep telling them to be prepared for when it slows down but they just can't envision it.
I really don't want to either but it is still very good around here.
Here in southern interior BC, everyone is busier than a one armed wallpaper hanger with crabs. Been like that for almost 3 yrs now. And the big Olympic projects in Vancouver and Whistler will start next spring and keep the labour market hot into 2009. Where oh where will all the people come from?
Things in my region were already very busy last year when a bad forest fire wiped out 250 high-end homes, so that alone sent things ballistic. Building pricing jumped 40% in one year. People walking off jobs at lunch and starting across the street for more money the same afternoon. Snow has fallen and under 3 weeks to Christmas but lumber yards say no slow down in volume.
Anyone wants to live in beautiful BC, come on out. Journeyman can write his own ticket.
Wally
had the whole month of Nov off ... unplanned.
One big job fell thru ... the 2 smaller jobs bailed when the numbers were added up .... all my little "in case/ fillers" decided to wait till after the First ...
Just into the second week working for a new cab dealer/designer ... hope after these coupla weeks I'll have some real work from him in Jan ... a buddy just called to see if I was still off ... he needs a hand on a "before XMas" job .... going to look at a "immediate start" remodel tomorrow nite ... and the cell rang earlier and it was a message from another guy I called last month ... he's got work now ....
So ... famine to feast. Last month I couldn't wash anyone's car ... this month I could run a crew.
Fall and right before the Holidays is typically one of my best times thru out the last coupla years ... this year I tanked ... and hard. My fault though ...
Work was out there ... I didn't work hard enough to send it my way.
Ask me in another 3 weeks ... probably yet another answer ....
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Sorry to hear it Jeff . Ive been there and it isnt funny . One year , we didnt have presents . That was a long time ago , but I sure remember it .
But hey , one year at this time a pretty good sized job didnt pay me and I did the job. At least you arent there .
I think we can always look back Jeff , but it isnt healthy thinkin.
I hope it picks up for you and you make some money.
Tim Mooney
the slow down had to happen sooner or later ....
haven't had an unplanned week off since I got myself back into this self employ deal 3 or so years ago ... just didn't all have to come to a stop at once!
Back on track now ..... the slow down was 100% my fault ....
got fat and lazy .... bit myself in the #### ....
Used the time off wisely to land some immediate work AND have set up some down the road contacts .... made cold calls and figuring I'd need 3 K and B places off and on to kep my busy ... I contacted about 10.
Now ... who ever calls first ...
just got another call from a guy who's work I'd normally turn down ... low end stuff ... but I'm gonna call him back tomorrow to see where and when ... see if I can fit it in ...
Gotta get back to hustling.
Haven't dug ditches in a while ... but if the pay's right ... I'll be getting muddy.
Next years possibilities actually look better than this past ...
Kinda refocusing the biz a bit to make for a steadier cash flow ...
all in good time .. live and learn ... all that crap.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I like your attitude. You took control and responsiblity.
I remember a thread about the way you look at troubles your help was having and couldnt take responsibility of attitude and you got some slack here on how you handled him . Dont be a baby around me , or somthing like that. That showed you live what you preach. 10 cold calls and made use of your time. Back at it again. Hope someone is reading.
Ive been listening to cry for me stories from tradesmen for 8 months. I also hear from their employers. I "hear " all day long , all day. The builder wants me to work Saturday , wants extras, doesnt pay Friday but pays , pushes me too hard , I am working too cheap, he doesnt pay me well enough, No one understands my schedule , I cant work over there a half day for petty stuff , etc.
Now Im hearing they dont have work. They didnt "get " their bid. He didnt call me back. Only worked three days this week, I dont have the money to make pay roll or pay the material supplier, etc.
The builders tell different stories on them and made a decision to hire someone else. There are different reasons and theres many.
The way I see it , the tradesmen didnt take responsibility and control of their problems. They didnt find another builder , but lost the one who was putting food on their table. The builders are looking all the timne for people that dont cause them any problems . I know thats a tall order to fill . They want subs to show up the day its ready and knock it out with out a hitch. They want the work to pass inspection with flying colors. Move on, time is money. Thats what builders are about. The hustlers are still working for them and they are busy. Plus other builders want them if they have time. Then again , maybe its price . I dunno. I just see a difference is all. Some of the young ones are making examples. They have the eye of the tiger.
Tim Mooney
The crunch is definately on, but the hustlers are working. I mean the people who are assertive in their business. Ive thought about going back to work a lot because Im as well as I expect me to be. No one asks me whose applying for permits or additions for that matter. Im sitting over it all with eyes watching it and there is a lot of work, but theres a lot of people nearly out of work or slow. It isnt all hands on deck as it has been . Its true I have knowledge they dont have and if I quit , I would not have the same knowledge very long. But I know how to get it and I could be busy by working at it.
I think its up to your boss to make the business assertive. Make some changes during slow times to be more competitive.
Tim Mooney
Swamped.
and for a while.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
South Oregon Coast: Everyone I know is busy....mostly $250K plus stuff, some retirement, some 2nd homes for well-heeled golfers....some large developments going in at Gold Beach and Brookings.
Biggest problem here is finding good help. Those of us with good crews make an effort to keep them happy and full-time.
It's kind of weird, because Oregon has a fairly high unemployment rate, and this area has the highest unemployment in the state.
I'll be finishing my current house in about 3 months and have 2 more in the pipeline.
Truss plants (2) are 6 weeks out. I've been stick framing everything....personally I hate trussing steep roofs with lots of dormers and such.....sorry....:-)
Im up here in Bangor ME. and work comes and goes excepl this year and it changes every year. Last year I had 2 slow times both about 3 weeks 1st in sept and 2nd in dec, sept was unexpected kind of planed Dec. this year has been busy started last feb and hasnt stoped yet. job after job after job. did a 9 week kitchen , gutted it / new windows insul / sheetrock ceiling and walls, floor built all cab. then a bath room then two more baths , squeezed in jobs for plumber friend, not planed, then roof, next siding a house that will be done the end of this week, on to replace 23 windows and wrap trim on house, windows doors and facsha and garage too , then on to another kitchen in Jan after newyears. I was hopeful id have the week between xmas and new years off but I dont think so now . cant complan .
I think it might slow down after jan. nothing new planed , we'll see.
good luck too all.
Dogboy
Here in Elmore County , Alabama, building has gone crazy. We are booked up until about the end of February. I turn work down everyday.
I think some land owners are finally letting go of their property for big bucks and the developers are grabbing it up.
We have 4 houses to frame(big custom houses), 5 to put vinyl on and 3 to trim the inside. We have a remodel job and a two storey boat house on the lake.
I'm tired just thinking about it. I'm not complaining. This is a great position to be in. But I would like a little time off.
James Hart
Sorry to hear that Boss...Bad timing and all...right before Christmas. I've had the very same thing happen to me...more than once. Kinda puts a damper on the ole holiday spirit. I hope things turn around for ya soon.
I'm single, a one man show most of the time, but things are slow as well here. But I can eat mac and cheese, and drink cheap booze for the holidays...been here before.
I have a new house to trim starting it tomorrow, (maybe 5 days work) a couple bids to do, but nothing will come of those even if I get them until well after the first of the year I'm sure. The phone aint ringing off the wall either. (I pick it up now and then to make sure there's a dial tone! LOL)
Like several guys have said, it just gets slow in the holiday season...especially for remodelers, which is my main bread and butter.. Not many want the house torn up during the holidays?
Be well bro!
Dez
The building boom here is still on. The contractors are crying for framers and trimmers. I have more work than I can keep up with, fortunately. I always count my blessings when i hear of guys who want to work and can't find it. Been there before, don't like it.
DW and I drove through your neck of the woods enroute to Jackson, Wy. about a month ago. I'm amazed at the continued growth of the whole Caldwell/Boise area....
Helps keep those callouses shiny!
I'm in the Northeast, and in my neck of the woods, it"s been pretty busy for the past couple years. Considering my proximity to NYC, I can't help but think the attacks have spurred the increase of new homes, and (thankfully)re-cycling of older homes.
I'm booked for months, I have my winter nest egg in place, so I don't see laying off my main man this year either.
Oh what a feeling. :^}
Here's a "filler" job I'm working on now:
http://www.mameroom.com/home.htm
Guy approached me to make it for him from full-sized plans. I like it 'cuz I do it when I have some spare time (he's not in a hurry). He likes me because we're customizing it as we go. He's doing the PC part.
My point is that I had no idea there was an arcade-freak community out there. Turnkey units sell for $5K! Maybe you could see if someone in your area wants one built? Maybe a forum or something? Pretty easy to build, laminate over MDF with T-molding..
Just an idea for you..............
Nebarska. I know the new home market was going crazy all year and then end of summer hit and wham. I know builders who haven't made a sale in four months. That's gotta hurt. It's caught up now to some of the trades, drywallers and painters - that's the ones I'm hearing the most from. Slow.
But remodeling hasn't done that, at least not in my little microcosm. I have calls coming in, which kind of surprises me, since this is the time of year for the phone not to be ringing. And the couple of other guys I keep in frequent touch with don't sound too worried about life at the moment. So I guess my assessment here is that new home sales has died, which is impacting people who rely on that for all or a substantial part of their income. Those who are in remodeling or have some built in diversity to their skill set are still floating.
But the weather has been real gracious. We get a good snowstorm and that can change a lot of peoples futures real quick.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Have two bath renos stacked on top of each other, will take me to mid Jan., interior restoration due to water damage for the remainder of Jan., and potentially another bath job after that. The phone has quit ringing, though; the third bath is from a nurse who works with my wife, the the interior restoration is a repeat customer. Not that I'm complaining, I'll take what comes my way and like it, even if I don't.
Lets put it this way, my renovation business consists of myself and 2 full-time employees and if it weren't for the fact that they are willing to work 7 days a week, we would never be able to keep up with the work load.
Great thread Boss,
About all have their locations placed in the profiles and that's a lot of folk.
Except for DanT, Rex, Hubcap and taylorsdad that is.
be a pain
It's reassuring to see that the profile monitor is staying busy! :-)
sorrybusy as hell in granville ohioanother guy called tonight.i got far too many repeat offendersfinished a tile floor about an hour ago and the people said beautiful! when can you do our kitchen...so there you go
Well hey hub, it ain't for me!
For your profile. For the future masses that will hear your words.
be a profiler
i am now profiledoff to sleepbe wellhub
cheers
Slammed. Reworking island ATM pads Which means working outside all winter. Been finishing concrete by head lights alot latley. 76 hours last week and more then that forcast for this week,and it's gonna be that way until at least Feb.. Lots of dragging in at midnight and getting up at 5:30. And then there's the usual fall/winter drive thru remodel rush. Start at closing Friday work untill it's done. 28 hours straight last weekend. We're looking at a very strong spring also.
Who Dares Wins.
Wow, as someone who's hiring a contractor (on a time and materials job) for about a 300k first stage job (second to follow), it's remarkable to read about people who aren't busy. Here in Northern California, I just felt lucky that I could have someone work my house again who I trust and who I think will do a great (if expensive) job...Sometimes, just FINDING someone here who knows what the heck they are doing is the biggest hassle.Notaclue