Man throw me a bone here guys!
What’s an old carpenter to do. I go to dozens of sites to try and get a chance to sub-contract some trim or custom cabinetry. Kindest response I get is that most of their guys,”Forgive me'” he says,” Are less experienced and hungry.”
So am I to think he wants his subs young, dumb and not so fat,(work cheap).
The worst response came when I offered a copy of some of my work on a CD. He said with obvious indignation,”What the hell is that?” I said,”It’s a CD showing what I can do.” His response was ,”I don’t’t have time to look at that cr*p!”
I am frustrated to say the least. I called a builder while outside of one of their big homes under construction. When I offered my services to sub carpentry work the secretary said,” We don’t hire carpenters.’ A long silence and I hung up.
So do any of you hate to be bothered by cold calls asking to sub any of your work? Does the showing of a little modern knowledge offend you? Do you build houses without hiring carpenters? Does the age, size and experience of someone seeking work from you matter especially if their old, big and skilled?
Just Rambling on a Thursday freakin morning. Thanks for listening.
Replies
Old, big, and skilled I have 5 older sisters who say that is their kind of man, hang in ther bud.
If only I had some buds I could hang in there better. oops.. Thanks
Edited 1/13/2005 12:52 pm ET by JAGWAH
No sweat Jag, it's just a war is all.
I've always viewed most of them okies as a strange breed anyhow. <G>
go fish
Edited 1/13/2005 1:10 pm ET by rez
I've always viewed most of them okies as a strange breed anyhow.
Strange indeed!
Go Fish is the best suggestion I've had all week.
Might as well go for the wriggly wet one's. The real fish are better eating...less bones and bigger brains.
and this comming from the leader of the pack...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Jagwah, welcome to the age of overqualification!
I'm 51 and I'd also fall into that category, depending on the job I was seeking.
It sounds like you are trying to land custom jobs in production subs and you're opening 30 second commercial is sending out the wrong message.
You obviously have been around long enough to know that there are some awrul sour superintendents out there and it sounds like you offered a CD to one of them...kinda like Gabe (who may, or may not be the actual person that does the hiring) who claims to have a trash can next to his desk to dispose of the "junk" that guys like you (and me) offer. The story of the secretary telling you "we don't hire carpenters" is also interesting....you may have been talking to the cleaning lady and she would be exactly right...they DONT hire carpenters...they clean offices!
You are doing the right thing by asking for opinions in here....I'm confident that you're going to get some great responses, and hopefully the guys that want to grind an axe will stay out.
I'll start out by asking a few questions of my own to you. Your answers will help formulate a basic strategy.
What is your first impression look like? Do you have spring in your step and an excited tone in your voice? Are you confident? Are you dressed for the part...looking like a skilled tradesman and driving a skilled trades vehicle?
Are you actually talking to the decision maker? Are you asking for the person that does the hiring, or asking for work from the guys that can't help you? Do you first approach the assistants and determine the name and disposition of the guy in charge of hiring? Do you use these assistants to obtain pertinent information knowing that if you can identify a problem, you'll be able to address that problem in your opening 30 second commercial?
Are you approaching the busy superintendents and politly asking if they have time to discuss subcontracting opportunities? For instance, you might approach the Super, whose name is Mike and you've found out that he's always agitated about being too busy and also agitated about a sub that takes two weeks instead of four days like this? "Hi Mike, my name is Jag. I know your a busy man and I was wondering if you might be find time in the near future to spend a minute or two discussing the possiblities of our company subcontracting some interior finish work. I understand that you are in need of subs that can keep to your schedule and since I can do that for you, I think you'd be satisfied with our service to you....when would be a good time to discuss this matter...do you prefer mornings or evenings?"
Then shut up and most important start listening. Since you have politely asked for his time and offered an alternative close, neither of which sends you out the door, you have maximized your chance to further the conversation, or presentation in some way, shape or form.
If he declines your offer based on the fact that he's already got a crew, simply ask him if you can drop off, or send some information on your company so that in the future, you can do business. Ask him which way he prefers to receive the information...fax, snail mail, Email, etc. Get his information, name and then send the followup.
Cold calling is not fun, but you can make it fun by challenging yourself in differnt ways...for instance, if you want to make sure you actually have some success at cold calling, set up a reverse challenge..for instance, decide in the morning that you are not going home until you have been rejected at least 15 times. That way, each time you experience the rejection, you will happily be able to check off one of your stepping stones to your daily goal.
Keep that up and do your followups and pretty soon you'll be happily too busy to take all the jobs that are offered you.
Use Frenchy's idea about keeping a journal on every contact too. Try to understand each rejections and the whys about it. Don't be afraid to ask the person rejecting you if you think you are saying or doing something wrong...they'll tell you and then you can change your tactix.
blue
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Soon to turn 52 and been there got the t-shirt. My truck my appearance all are top priorities to me. As well as my mannerism getting out of the truck when I arrive at a site. I leave my cell phone in the truck and I only take a minimum of stuff with me,(no big briefcase). I even am aware of the pen in my pocket,(it's a bic)after a builder said he couldn't afford anyone who uses a MontBlanc pen.
All things said you make one interesting point tho that I hadn't thought of...
It sounds like you are trying to land custom jobs in production subs
Even though the builders I'm approaching are building homes of 8000 Sq ft plus and selling around $4-5 million times have changed. Everybody is going the management route and adding distance between themselves and the craftsman on site. It maybe that a lot of the site people are minutely trained for specific task and therefore easily replaced.
In the old days the Union would talk of their idea of 1 Journeyman to 2 apprentices and complain that non-union would rather 1 Journeyman to 6 apprentices. Maybe now it's 1 Journeyman to The Rest of The Guys.
As to...Use Frenchy's idea about keeping a journal on every contact too.
I learned long ago to do just that, keep a record of who I called what they and I said so as not to repeat a call to a dead end as well as to do a better informed call back to a possible.
Thanks for your incites.
Edited 1/13/2005 2:03 pm ET by JAGWAH
The reason you don't get trim jobs on multi-million dollar spec houses is that the vast majority of potential buyers don't know what good finish carpentry looks like. The spec builder knows he'll get his same price with a cheap finish. Your niche is in the aftermarket.
Therefore, perhaps the thing to do is re-locate near where the rich people live. I met a guy who's doing very well as a sort of "cabinet maker to the stars" -- he had just finished Madonna's kitchen.
-- J.S.
Warning: This may appear as a potential hijack, but is not intended as such."a sort of "cabinet maker to the stars" -- he
had just finished Madonna's kitchen."To each is own, I guess. Wouldn't appeal to me really. Obviously not my kind of folks.http://www.rickross.com/reference/kabbalah/kabbalah108.htmlHeard on the shop radio yesterday that another one of these "good will" thingies took place which included Madonna, Demi Moore and ?? (damn, I can't remember the third name) Claimed they were purging Chernobyl of its radiation problems as they chanted.Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie.Edit: Hey, wait a minute. Maybe that does work. Didn't we just collectively end JAGWAH's "dry spell"?Just remembered the third named party...Britney Spears.Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.Edited 1/13/2005 5:05 pm ET by GOLDHILLER
Edited 1/13/2005 5:13 pm ET by GOLDHILLER
How 'bout chatting up some high-end architects and design build guys in your area? Just to establish a relationship. Give each a copy of your CD and maybe a one page resume. Around here, by the time the house is going up they've chosen the cabinet and finish trim guys.
You might get even more leads from the archies....builders who do quality work. Architects could spec you to their clients if they are confidant of your work. Here's another idea. Track down and research the Historic restoration people. Start at the historic society and go from there.
There are people left who recognize a quality job. But, most people don't know good sh** from bad apple butter. The builders know it and trim accordingly. You need a niche market.
ShelleyinNM
I think you're getting some decent advice here so far. Guess I particularly like that given by SBPERKI.
It's definitely true that around here there isn't much call for the truly high-end stuff in the new home market..and for the reasons given here already.........most don't even know it when they see it. Consequently it's hard to produce demand for something that isn't even seen as being "special" by the vast majority.
But there is a market for this stuff and it lies with well-educated and frequently well-to-do folks. And so, I'd also recommend the architect contact.....if you haven't already done that. The architect-contacted client is a niche market in most places. Already there and waiting for you and your skills. Don't mean to imply it's gonna be like shooting fish in a barrel, but it's bound to be better than trying to plant garden seeds in a concrete slab.
Another likely market for your advanced skills and experience is the used home market. Particularly in the "old money" neighborhoods where folks who already appreciate the good stuff....buy these old homes and then set about renovations, restorations and additions. Developing a relationship with the local realtors in your area can pay off big time in this regard. If they know the type of client you're looking for and a house of that nature sells...they notify you ASAP....and then you pay the new owners a visit. Bring your CD....and some printed photos as an appetizer for them. Might have to offer the realtor a smallish finder's fee for the referrals you land, but so what?
Around here, these "old money" homes are usually clustered. If you can land one, networking then frequently occurs with the neighbors who also own the same type of critter.......and that frequently results in more work.
Or maybe you've already done all of the above.
Maybe you'd get a better response offering your CD to the grouchy A-holes and getting them to look......if you told 'em it was free porn. <G>
Great advice, thanks but..
Dude!....ROAR!
Maybe you'd get a better response offering your CD to the grouchy A-holes and getting them to look......if you told 'em it was free porn.
That is brilliant!
I showed you his work...
there's nothing wrong with it...
the man is good...
he keeps talking to thse 25 cents a SF mentalities is all...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Jag,
Hang in,
First, you would do well with the architects. Make appointments, bring the CD- its killer, and dont forget these guys are like stockbrokers, they remember who bought the beer, and brought them donuts. Look 'white collar' business casual. Visit many offices large and small.
Second, homeowners not GC's. You have the cd, make some prints of your work in a 3 ring binder.... bring both, some people will be turned off by media, others will be turned off by having their work time taken up and would rather look at it later.
Set up a table at Home Shows. You must have them too, and I bet there will be some coming up soon. Be ready with your advertising paperwork whatever you have. You could even be working on a small project right now that could be a 'prop' showing how you flex your muscles.
Even if you dont physically do it, try to think of how you can expand your client base.... maybe that means doing other things that you havent done in a while to have some work.
As was stated, once you nail down some good paying clients, they will recommend you if you cater to them a bit. I know a landscape guy that works in 1 neighborhood, thats it. He fills his schedule there and its 7 miles from his home. He got in, now he is the one.
In Stephen Haz words, "have a old world craftsman air about you", keep putting time and quality into your work. If you build it they will come.
At 51, you have a few on me, but many years left in you. You could have another whole career. Restart your business today. Go get a copy of "who moved my cheese"
Finally, on a serious note, a lot of you guys scare the heck out of me when you say that you are big. Hard work isnt exercise, there was an article in JLC this past summer that will back that up. You need to work that heart, and a lot of extra weight destroys it. Cut back on portions. Dont quick fix, Atkins and other high protein diets destroy your kidneys. Dont stop enjoying, just lighten up on the junk. We are a community, you are the ones I need to come to, and Id like it if you were there down the road to answer.... your families might too.
so take a few....then drive it like it was stolen
-zen
Zendo
Thanks for the following advice:
Finally, on a serious note, a lot of you guys scare the heck out of me when you say that you are big. Hard work isn't exercise, there was an article in JLC this past summer that will back that up. You need to work that heart, and a lot of extra weight destroys it. Cut back on portions. Dont quick fix, Atkins and other high protein diets destroy your kidneys. Dont stop enjoying, just lighten up on the junk. We are a community, you are the ones I need to come to, and Id like it if you were there down the road to answer.... your families might too.
Just a thought youngster. Your profile doesn't give your age so I'll figure your in your late 20's early 30's, thin and tanned from work.
What the heck do you think most of us old guys looked like when we were your age. I can't imagine IMERC at 28, man he must have been an Adonis,( yer welcome IMERC) and don't even get me talking about REZ or PIFFIN, wash tub tummies all. Of course Andy's still pretty but he uses preservatives.
Anyway my point being,'What are the habits you are enjoying in your youth and heightened metabolism that is going to blow you up when your 40? Are you still smoking? eating large slabs of red meat?bread donuts & bread? 2-3 or more beers in a week?
It will catch up to you so think about it now. It may be to late for me but save yourself. Start small ...drive by the donut shop don't stop, don't even think you can just go in with friends and just have coffee.
I'll try if you try...remember were all in this together. Red Green
that's the story...
cheap is were it is...
shall I stop in and we'll show those maroons the errors of their ways...
hang in there...
go afterthe private sector that is fed up with attitudes like that...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Believe me my friend I'm Lookin. I started a mailer out to a few of my high end clients hoping to fire them back up on additional work. A simple hidyho here I am just waiting for your call call quick 'cause my dance cards fillin up,(liar).
Should get my first response from the mailers as early as tomarrow if at all by Monday at the latest.
I here travlin from town to town is profitable. Are you out yet heading to AR?
ID instead if I ever get out of TX...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Well speak of the devil..
One of those high end clients that I just sent a flier to a couple of days ago just called! They want me to come out and talk about building them a Plasma screen Entertainment Center. She said she didn't know why they didn't think of me until my mailer arrived. I built a computer desk and installed a 4'x 7' Entry door for them two years ago. Good news is her nephew is a well known Architect here in Tulsa,(I sent him a flier too).
Meeting her a 2:30 today. Wish me luck. Maybe I should post my woes more often.
Edited 1/13/2005 2:49 pm ET by JAGWAH
luck you say...
need a ride and an arm twister...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Thanks
I got the ride and I think she comes pretwisted. Even if they can't pay with money they own the cities largest liquor wholsale business.
comes pretwisted ya say...
COOL....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Good luck!
Keep your name out front so they remember you.
"I was glad that when everything finally hit the fan I was holed up in a little beer joint in Robstown, Texas called the El Gato Negro."
Do I see more flier mailings in your future? LOLMaybe some little engraved brass plaques that get mounted somewhere, like inside a drawer to remind folks who did the piece.Even a fancy lookin' little sticker might turn the trick.Or a flier to all potentials every 6 months or so. Watch out for the Xmas rush.Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Thanks for the support everyone. Yep the personal mailer may be just the ticket. But the phrase....(Thanks GoldHiller)
Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie has got me thinking.....
Here's my thought this might be the start of a chain post... Here goes...
Oh great BreakTime Forum I Call on you to bless me with work or at least make someone call me...Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie.
Now if 10 of you create your own post using this phrase then maybe we'll all get a call. Hopefully a work call not a 'funny farm coming to get you call'.
Ok so I just hijacked my own thread, oh well
Edited 1/13/2005 5:49 pm ET by JAGWAH
Edited 1/13/2005 5:50 pm ET by JAGWAH
"Oh great BreakTime Forum, I Call on you to bless me with work or at least make someone call me...Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie."That's not a bad invocation at all. You just might be a natural, ya know? Of course none of it will actually come to fruition unless you first send me $10 grand. You wouldn't want to blow it now, would ya?And that's just for the first year. As you prosper my son, your "donations" must increase or no light shall shine upon your path.(Cash or cashier's check, please) Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
It's in the mail. Thanks
"Oh great BreakTime Forum, I Call on you to bless me with work or at least make someone call me...Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie." 10 x's
y'all gotta lay off the mexican grub..
don't send that 10 grand to GH...
it's mine....
he's just trying to stick his mitt inta the pie..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
key chains..
nice ones...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Your not gonna get any work out new construction projects. Even if you did it would'nt pay very well.
You need to contact the new home owner and make a fast pitch to correct any problems with their new home or upgrade some trim that the builder could not offer. Those are the ones more likely to spend some money
The home purchaser is a matter of public record. Go to the town asessors office and get a list of recent closings. your not the only one doing it.
When I got the CO for my house my phone rang for a week straight from solicitors trying to sell me everything from insurance to septic tank maintenance
One quick tip; never bad mouth their builder no matter how shoddy the workmanship is. Instead sell yourself as an upgrade.
You're hitting up the wrong people.
I'm going thru a similar process ... expanding my list of contacts ... mainly focusing on high end cabinet installs .... we well as trim/finish carpentry and ceramic tile ...
I'm focusing on that ... as that's exactly how I filled alot of my previous years subing for a high end design end firm ....
so ... high end cab places I call .....
and .... find that lotsa the high end cab places ... ain't!
Funny thing .... the highest end place I contacted ... already had me do some work ... and we have plans for much more work to come in the semi-near future. This guy designs and sells an end result that actually allows him to pay top dollar for top dollar talent.
I can tell you from direct experience .... 99% of new const isn't looking for top quality guys .... and if they are ... they're looking for employees ... not subs. Same with the kitchen and bath installs ... they're looking for good young guys that'll put up with the bs and mid to low pay and be plenty happy ... till they wise up .... then they'll find a whole truck load of young guys to fill the space.
Think of yourself at 20 years old or so. I worked cheap and was happy ....
I'd think those guys for being honest with you up front.
I'd also suggest emailing first. Then following up with an phone call. Then setting an appointment. That'd save lotsa wasted gas.
I'm still wasting gas ... but I'm prequalifing these companies just as I do any potential customer. Everyone hears ... "I'm not going to be the cheapest guy to walk thru your doors ..." well before they meet me.
BTW .... check with the Archy's if ya like ... but I don't really see a big future there. They're all about "future projects" ... and most that are established have a well full of companies they already plan on going to. Might be worth a mailer ... but I'd not focus primarily on them.
Have your prices in mind before hand ... tell them what U expect ..... then take it from there.
Last week I gave a guy a price of $19.5K for a kitchen install ... he was expecting something closer to $3,600 .... gave the second price on the second set of prints ... haven't heard back ... not worth my time to even call back and check. Just keep moving on ....
another funny thing ... he's been in biz "almost 2 years" ....
the guy I'll be working with at my rates .... he's been in biz over 35.
Something else to check while looking at the yellow pages ads ....
Good luck ... have fun.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
hahaha
I responed at 21 post , not realizing there was some more. I guess I was typing mine with yours.
Ive been talkin bout ya , better read it . LOL
Tim Mooney
19.5?
Just the labor in a kitchen?
Muz be some kitchen.
"Muz be some kitchen."
no ... nothing special .. but I went in looking to be a cab installer and left knowing the kitchen place wanted a full service GC to run the entire job for them .... that ball park included the labor for the mechanicals too ....
the guy that bid $3,600 .... probably heard the same thing I did .....
then decided he could hang the cab's for his price ... then do "just a little extra" to land the job.
I've been there before going in as the carpenter and finding myself standing alone in a house with a cell phone and a list.
I'll gladly do it ... do it for my own customers ... just won't be a GC for cab installer rates or timelines ....
I came up with 22.5 days ... the "other guy" said 6.
Dad told me years ago ... maybe when I was 8 or 10 years old ...
"U never lose money on the job U pass up"
Even though I'm pretty hungry at the moment ... I'm remembering those words of wisdom.
even remembered to throw in the mark up ... I'm learning ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Dad told me years ago ... maybe when I was 8 or 10 years old ...
"U never lose money on the job U pass up"
Good advice
When I was younger mine said.."Well Robert, some people don't make money at their hobbies"
JAG...short on time today....just kinda breezed throught the thread....didn`t notice anyone mention it, so I thought I would.
Realators are great contacts to make.....folks moving into a new neighborhood often ask for references of locals. Make your sales pitches to the realators....get a couple of jobs under your belt and before you know it, they`re selling jobs for you.
Gotta run, thought it was worth mentioning.
Good luck to ya!J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Thanks and your right. I thought I might be reaching the source. After visiting the recent caller today it's apparent I need to find a way to get my flier in more hands like her. She knows me but said how the flier reminded her about me so she was very happy I sent it out. I told her how my business thrives on word of mouth.
I was thinking on the way home, How can I get her to tell three friends about me... now. Just doing quality work isn't always enough. Tick a client off and they'll tell everyone how bad you are, even the mailman. Make them happy and they'll tell a few friends, if they ask.
Heros are soon forgotten but villians live forever.
How can I get her to tell three friends about me...
do a great job then tell her too.
I've told people up front that they're gonna be so freaking happy when I'm done I fully expect them to tell everyone they know about this great carp they just worked with.
then I remind them of "our deal" at the end.
I'm never shy about letting them know I feed my kid by their direct word of mouth.
it's common sense to us ... we live it ... people working "normal jobs" in offices sometimes don't put 2 and 2 ahead ... not how they live ... I'd rather take the risk of "offending" a wonderfully satisfied customer than possibly miss all those leads they'd never stop to think about ... because ... it's pretty hard to "offend" a wonderfully satisfied customer!
I'm telling U this because I'm working hard at re-telling myself all this sales crap I already know too ....
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Jag - here's an idea. If the client who wants the entertainment center hires you, send her a certificate for a "catered movie party" for up to 10 people after the job is done.
Let her know it's a "thank you" for the business. The only thing you ask in return is that she use it to invite friends over to watch a movie...and, of course, show off her new entertainment center.
Assuming people love it, the next question out of their mouths will be "Who did this work for you?"
It'll cost you a couple hundred bucks for a very targeted marketing activity.
The comments about the 19.5 kitchen redo reminded me a kitchen remodel back in the late 80s there in T-town. Something like a 12x12 or 12x16 room.
I was working with an electrician's 3 man crew and every time we showed up there were always at least another crew of something working there also. Cabinet installs, stone masons, whatever.
A normal looking older suburbia looking ranch house on a lot with neighbor homes all around. Never would have thought it would contain a large interior room with a skylighted indoor pool.
I got to wondering about the costs of all those trades people that were there all the time.
One time the GC and I were alone in the kitchen and I asked him if this was considered a new kitchen or a remodel and what was the total price of it.
He lowered his voice a bit and said 'don't repeat this, $104'.
$104,000 kitchen remodel. In the late 80s. It was nice but I dont think that nice.
I remember wondering why everything in the place was brand new except this little 2 foot high stainless steel icemaker they'd kept and decided not to replace.
That and why they decided to keep a floor hotair register vent right in front of the exterior door so every time you walked in the door you had to step on it.
Plenty of renovation money in your turf there, Jag. You should be beatin' yer chest and swinging thru the trees in no time.Eenie,weenie...chili-beanie
Very very interesting! I think you got an idea there. Thanks!
Now I wonder if Chucky Cheese caters?
Jag , Ive read 20 and like a good book Im sorry the posts ended . I am thrilled the mailers came through. I have a feeling its not over either.
I agree with a lot thats been said. Jeff Buck was there just a short time ago and man did he take control of the situation and took full responsibility himself for letting it happen. [hope you didnt mind me saying it Jeff]
I dont think you belong in a new market unless your niche is maybe stairs . Cabinets need a full crew and a shop. If it is in the new market you might need 6 men working for you. New constuction is streamlined and competitive. Bids seem to be the demand. Even if the GC is custom building , he has to make the biggest profit he can.
I think you are the high end clients man on preowned stuff. Smaller jobs for them make you stand in front of a production crew any time. Thats not their fortey. I talked to one the other day and he said he doesnt really return calls on additions and remodels. His crew is geared on high out put .
Now if you think you want to be a GC, then it changes =every thing.
Tim Mooney