So, I’m 52 yrs. old, I still work every day with the tools, In fact, I have made my living for the past 25 yrs. as a skilled, efficient, self motivated carpenter, but my body is telling me to slow down a bit.I’m thinking that now is probably the time to take off the tools and run my business from the front seat of my truck, before I do myself an injury that really puts me out of commision. [I’ve had a few minor injuries lately that have got me thinking of this]. I have a few good guys working for me , so the schedule should continue to flow. I have every tool ever needed, and I have the experience of running my own business for the last `15 yrs. I guess I just don’t want to admit that it is time to put down the hammer. I would miss it so. I mean… is there any better feeling in the world than standing on a clean new deck blowing frosty breath over a cup of coffee, waitng for the sun to clear the trees so you can lay out the first wall? Or topping the frame just as the sun sinks below the horizon on a warm October day?
Do I really want to trade that in for frustrating calls to recalcitrant subs, and irrate conversations with lumberyard idiots; driving up to a site to see your men standing around, having gotten only half a job done that morning, [knowing that I could have gotten it done by breaktime].
Anyway…. I’m thinking about it. Comments??
Replies
Jay, I've only been in business for two years, but I'm already thinking the same thing...although my reasoning is because my business needs me more and more versus staying on the job. I'm trying to find or train someone to replace me. Will I eveer fully remove the tools? Prolly not. But I'm spending too much time with my business between running the crew and keeping the business down.
My top recommendation is to find your replacement. If you can do that, you're well on your way to at least have the time to know whether it's right for you or not.
Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
My Dad was a super for many many years. He "retired" at 65. He bought a cabin in MN and splits his time between Omaha and there.
He is 80 now and has never really put down his tools. He always has a project going and has a list of things to do. He has a freind in MN who is running his own busines and he helps and guides him once in a while.
You may run your own business, but you'll never put down the tools. You have skills that you can teach and you need to teach your emplyees anyway. Just rethink how much you'll do and what you'll do. Do what is the most satisfying and don't do the dangerous stuff if that is your concern.
If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.
Jay -
Bos'n has it right. You have the skill and experience. Your feeling is evident in your post when you talk about that cup of coffee, and when you talk about driving up to see the job half done. Do what you feel comfortable with. If you aren't comfortable walking the walls and setting the rafters, find some young buck that will do it. Maybe the front seat of the truck is too far away. Maybe you need to be on site, but spend less time with a hammer in your hand. Only you know - we don't.
My dad worked until he couldn't walk, then he sat at the site and told me what to do. Fortunately, I was an excellent student. (He's not around and can't argue.) For some people, especially old timers, they need to do some manual labor. Some people are never satisfied with what others can do.
I wish you wouldn't have been quite so specific about being 52 years young. I'm 47 and I'm getting back into this after 20 years in an office. I realize I can't move too fast, but I still know more than most of the "kids" that want to work. One example - I've had a guy working for me for a month plus. He does a lot of roofing, but calls himself a builder but he really isn't. Every time he does patch work on siding, he laps the bottom OVER the top piece. Drives me nuts. I knew better than this when I was in high school.
If you will run the company from the office, you need good help.
Good luck in your search. Remember, nothing stops you from doing some of this and some of that. If you want to wear the apron, do it! It's your company and you are the boss!
Don K.
Which way do the shingles go on?
Is this the original top down roofer?
Joe H
Roof shingles, he can work, and he does good. He works from the bottom up, like most of us, carries, nails like a demon. I actually saw him on a roof job first and that's when I started thinking about using him.
But, put the guy on a ladder, putting paper on the sidewall, and he forgets the laws of physics. He puts the top piece on then puts the bottom one on top of that. His favorite phrase is - "This will never leak." In other words, don't worry about the paper being lapped wrong. I've gopt one more day with him outside on some trim (no paper involved), then I don't need to deal with it any more. (We've been talking about him doing some inside work. I'm not sure how skilled he is there.)
Don K.
Don
Hard, ain't it?
I'd rather do one or the other, but i'm hung in the middle which ain't the best of both worlds, but it is a compromise I can live with.
I get there before the crew, sometimes having made a phone call or two from home and on the drive down there or from at the job. ( There are days when I have to do bookeeping and other office work all day and have a good hand who unlocks things and runs a broom 'till the others get in.)
Then I work 'till about 1 or 2 PM and either go to meet clients, work materials orders, do estimates, or fire up my CAD and do design. That scedule is easier on my body and gets most of the work done. The crew finishes the days work and picks up. Any subs that haven't showed up by one oclock ain't planning to get there that day.
There are times when a crunch is on and I have to work 9-10 on the job and still try to get the office work done in the evenings - when my mind is worn plumb out for th eday.
Good Luck.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Thank guys for the encourgement. I'ts good to know that others understand. This "thing of ours"... carpentry,...is not always taken as seriously by even our closest friends or kin, as we would like.
Another take on this...I'm 58, and still do this stuff everyday. I try take care not to put myself in harm's way...I'll get down and move a ladder now, instead of overextending and having to show up at the chiropractor daily, rather than for the monthly maintenance and oil change.Tomorrow we'll be setting up 4 bucks of scaffolding to work on a vaulted ceiling. I'm saying it keeps me in shape<G>.But, like you, I know I can't do the physical stuff forever...sooo, I jumped thru the hoops, took the test, and just got a North Carolina GC's License( in the mail yesterday, as a matter of fact). A fellow just dropped off some plats, and I'm hoping to get started doing some medium sized specs right next door to my house. I know that I won't be able to not work on them (I love framing, too), but I'll be a hell of a lot closer to the Ben Gay, LOL. "what's in a name?" d'oh!
I can identify. Will hit 59 in a little over a week. Things heal a little (make that a lot) slower. Have been having a problem with left thumb. Few years ago was asking too much from a drill bit and it broke letting area between thumb joint and wrist hit the vice. Finally went to hand specialist, showed me x-ray of joint, nice void between the parts of thumb joint. Described an operation that scared the s**t out of me that would take care of it.
He wanted to take out the joint, cut a tendion, ball it up and hook it all back together. Said they do it all the time, I said thanks but will wait.
When the time comes I guess the tools will be a big ebay business.
Congratulations on the GC
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks, so maybe an old dog can learn new tricks<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Disc arrived yesterday, man. Tanks!
No trouble, brother man. When I learn how to refill these danged ink cartridges, I'll print some up for you...like those white ones I took after you messed with the camera...ha, ha, ha "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Okay, now hold on there.
I remember talking for a long time about depth of field...you, me, Mr T...
AND, I remember hefting your camera...
AND, I'm not saying I positively DIDN'T mess with any of your settings...
but honestly, I can't imagine doing that. Crimony, I have a hard enough time getting my old SLR to work half the time. But this is the second time you've mentioned me doing that so I'll go ahead and apologize. Nothing worse than somebody messing with your equipment.
Now, let's see if I can figure out how to view this disc...
Edited 9/28/2005 10:59 pm ET by jimblodgett
ohhhh, it was MR. t<G> "what's in a name?" d'oh!
Arf, Arf!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Arf, Arf!Hey, you don't have a dog, do ya? That sounds more like the "seal" of approval<G> So, when does the big money start rolling in? ha, ha, ha! "what's in a name?" d'oh!
First you gotta get a "schtick" and trademark it.Then get a trained seal for your TV ads.oh yeah, you gotta quit breaktime to have more time to devote to the work.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
Shouldn't your post be put in the Tavern?? Got a good laugh from your first two sentences ( taking them way out of context of course!!). Sorry, couldnt resist.
Jay345,
It sounds like you would never be able to really keep the tool belt off. I do as others suggested, and do a slow transition from wearing the belt all day to just running the business. The balance that Piffin has sounds good.
-m2akita
Here is another way to think about it...
Really you will just be using a different set of tools: Calculator, cell phone, architects rule, computer, etc, and you will be building new skills, like diplomacy, book keeping, negotiation tactics, customer satisfaction, etc, etc. I'm not sure that this kind of job is right for a 20 year old, but it could be a great fit for someone like you...
I'm 35. I understand what you're talking about though. There are days when I have to hand it over to someone else cause my time is better served doing estimates or in the office, but there are somethings i wont hand over and I enjoy that too.
Nothing changes overnight. Give up a little at first. You may find that you are worth more to your company and goals with someone else using the hammer.
Nothing says you cant still be out there, but its nice to not have to be there.
Best advice I was ever given? "Find a way to let your money make money when you're not there".
After suffering through a recuring herniated disk last year, I thought my building days were done. I suffered along my rehab, and started a new house five months after my re-injury. During the rehab, I could only come up with one option for me to do, and that was to become an inspector. I knew that I couldn't let anyone else do my work for me, and be able to put my name on it.
It is hard to explain to most people, but I need to do my work, and I don't want to teach anyone to do it my way. I have hired a helper part time to take the load of my body(I am 43), and am still doing all my own work.
I hired a few specialists to help me retrain my body, and that has helped a huge amount. I am not at all interested in giving up what I have worked so hard for, and will continue to adapt and move forward. I remember an old timer that said, "I would rather wear out, than rust out".
Just me thoughts. Thanks.
Physical therapy can go miles for your back problems.A few years ago, I had three blown discs and two more that didn't look healthy, and that was just in my lower back. I'm still working a fair amout. I learned from reading that a disc will heal - repair itself - in about six months no matter which treatment is chosen. The problem is that in pushing things too soon, we end up with scar tissue that causes other problems. Add the inevitable arthritis and you learn to live with pain, but functional.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I did the same research about the disks healing themselves. It has been interesting watching two of my friends that had surgery, and myself and where we are today. I hired a movement specialist, a rolfer and a reiki practitioner, and took some time off, and I seem to be doing better than my friends.
The injury was primarily from a fall I had seven years ago, off some scaffolding. I believe that this injury is a blessing, as it has forced me to rethink my movements, and how to approach the very physical part of my job.
My research also pointed out that most people have disk problems, but don't have pain, for some reason. During autopsies, they are finding badly deteriorated disks, on people who don't show symptoms of the injury.
David
Speaking of injury that is a blessing - I became a much better slier after breaking both of my legs. I could still walk on them - spiral microscopic fracturees ( not the correct terminology) right at the top of the ski boots.When I carefully carved my turns in the snow, I had no pain, but if I tried the old barnstorming way of powering through a turn, I would nearly pass out, so those breaks were good teachers.If you are a fly on the wall at my autopsy, you'll hear a bunch of exclamations..."Holy Cow, Look at this Mable!""Naha, you come see this scar tissue over here!"
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Jay345
I'm 57, I'm building my own timberframe and untill I was 54 I could still usually outwork most of my helpers!
I fell off a house and only got bruised a couple of years ago. (not my own, long story) But while I took it easy to heal my body caught up with me.. when I was able to get back to work I found that I could no longer outwork the young guys, That was a shocker!
Not only that But I became stiff enough that I could no longer reach and stretch or balance as I had done earlier! Now My steps on the roof are diliberate and halting instead of the light tip toe I used to be able to do..
I still experiance the joy you mentioned but the work output is a tiny fraction of previous achievements..
Face it sooner or later we're gonna become dirt, as we age we have to accept what our body tells us..
Learn to accept the joy of training the young guys who will replace you instead of the joy of hitting the nail just right to sink it perfectly.. You may not be suited for the demands of management. (which is what you are speaking about) and based on the comments you've made it sounds like it will be very tough for you.
Face it, if you'd really wanted to get into management you'd have done so before now.. Thus the negative tone of my comment.. But prove me wrong if you want to.. You may have many years of managing the construction of homes rather than the actual building of them.. I hope that you find joy!
I know what you're really thinking. There's gonna be snow on the ground in LP in another two weeks. You just can't face another winter freezing your cojones.
Seriously, I think that you will need to change the way you run your business. Does your business as it is now need a full time manager? If your business is like ours, probably not. To justify your non-producing salary, you will have to grow or at least change what your business does. There are a hundred different ways to do this, but you will have to do one of them.
Rather than make a drastic change, I would suggest that you slowly move your business in a direction that will require more use of your managerial skills. For instance, if you think that more volume is necessary, start spending two hours a week dedicated to selling your work. Or if you want to be more involved in design, start offering this service to potential customers. Make the changes in your own work and in your company to accomodate this new direction. If the changes are incremental, you will be able to ease the tool belt off slowly and not drive yourself and everybody else nuts. Or you may find that you can't live without the tools and will just have to learn a slower easier pace. Good luck.
I'm 51. Been doing this for 28 years. I hear you loud and clear. You don't have to put tools away, you can still be an intregal part of all that. Just don't do the stuff that gets you injured. Don't lift the heavy stuff or even do the heavy work anymore, get a laborer. Don't do risky things anymore like walking walls or scaling the tall scafolds. Don't dig, no more heavy shale bars for hours on end, demo is out...even the small stuff. No more heights. No more heavy mason work. We did all that. Get the young monkeys who have all that verve and something to prove to do that stuff. What do we have to prove as far as the work goes anymore? We did all that. They wait in line for guys like you because they know you're gold.
I do mostly trimwork and architectural woodworking now, a lot of repair work like rot which isn't that demanding physically as it is with one's know how and patience, but you have all that by now. Consult. Teach. Pace yourself. Exercise and eat right (brother,listen to this sh!t). You can still stand on the deck blowing frost into your java for several years yet, just make sure you've had your medimucile that morning.
In Japan, carpentry is a high calling. You start out when you're young and they say it takes 20 years for the learning, 20 more years to do it and produce, and then 20 years after that to teach it.
After the first 20 years, it's hard to get out of your blood.
Take a vacation first, you'll probably change your mind about taking off the tools.
mike
The best thing is to slow down slowly. Physical work is good for you if you don't overdo it and get hurt.
Start keeping track of your weight. As you output less energy, you'll need to eat less. That doesn't happen naturally, at least not for me. I lost a bunch of weight when I started working on the house again -- and gained it back in the office.
-- J.S.