My business partner and I were discussing the next generation of contractors and how I came up in the business working as someone’s “go-fer” while learning the trade.
In the circle of guys in my area that I know, I seem to be one of the youngest (I’m 37) and there don’t seem to be alot of younger folks who will step into the older guys shoes when they retire. Most of the “gofer” positions seem to now be filled by “just workers” and not folks who will go into their own business.
Anyone else see this in their area or is it just a Florida thing. I have this image of it being different in other parts of the country as Florida is just a unique market where is seems like everyone here is a contractor just to get a quick piece of the money pie and will probably be in a different business is the next 5 years.
Mike
Replies
It's the same around here.
The youngest contractor I know is in his early 40s. Most of us are 50 and older. And any guys who are younger in the trades don't seem to want to be in business.
I've read several articles about the lack of young people going into the trades. It seems most of them would rather sit at a computer rather than work their way up and get their hands dirty.
I'm figuring that about the time I'm ready to retire, if there's no one to replace me, I should be able to raise my rates up to doctor's levels <G>
Heard about these young guys who started a handyman service in the city. They charge $1500 a day, to hang pictures, assemble cabinets, etc. I thought about doing the same thing in the Hamptons where you could probably fetch $2500.
I know one handyman -type guy around here who charges $95/hour, with some kind of minimum charge.
It would take me too long to drive to the Hamptons to be worth it. I'd only get a couple of work hours in per day. And that's if traffic's good. <G>
When I do the handyman stuff, I charge $70/ hour. I've done the math and in order to provide that services, that is what I have to charge. That is the median going rate here in MD. At least to get some licensed, insured and competant.
and then you got people that will hire gofer and they will spend ten, twenty years and they are still gofer. They the contractor dont want to train or give up any responsibilty to the younger group
At those rates, you would be able to afford your own crib.
So am I one of the few guys who could by myself who could run a new electrical circuit, hookup HDTV, connect the computer to the HDTV, run hidden cat5 wire to the modem, hookup bootleg satelite and install it in Ikea cabinets?
No.SamT
lol, ditto
How about Plumbing, roofing, drywalling, A/C, cement, tiling, excel, powerpoint, etc.
Gee, I should teach a do-it-yourself class. Charge $10 a night for a 2 hour class and have 30-40 people come. Is there anyone who does it in Los Angeles/Orange County?
Trouble with me, is I do a lot of jobs for friends, family and neighbors who don't like to pay much.
Still no.SamT
How about understanding the wife? If she is not happy, its my fault.
Yep. You are unique in that.SamT
Gee, I should teach a do-it-yourself class.
I tried that. No body would show up for the second class when I wouldn't teach how to do all those things unlicensed without permits . . . (those who hadn't already tried to offer "how'bout $5 for cash?" instead of the stated $10.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Ever since I can remember I've been hearing the same thing - Kids don't wanna work any more. They don't know the value of a dollar. They aren't like I was when I was a kid. One of these days guys who know how to work with their hands will be making a fortune because no one will know how to work on their own houses. So far none of those things have come true, and I doubt they ever will. Check out this tag line:
Children today are tyrants. They contradict thier parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers. [Socrates (470-399 B.C.) ]
about doing the same thing in the Hamptons where you could probably fetch $2500.
I've had a similar thought (if not about the Hamptons)--just think if you could provide not just handyman services but security-bonded, BI-ed employees into the elite's houses?
It's a nagglingly intriguing thought--just hard to execute. Putting a carpenter into company-branded polo shirt & slacks with similar, clean, overalls for messier applications is one thing. But getting a tool belt neatly into one of those "copier service" hard side cases . . . it's just wrong somehow . . . (and evokes the opening scenes of Goldie Hawn's Overboard . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Judging from my son's reaction(17 yr old) he would rather work in a pizza parlor making 6.50 an hour than working with me making 10 plus bonuses that can put him up to 20 an hour.
My 11 year old daughter and 6 year old son like to help and I pay them good money too but I don't know how long they will remain interested.
I have tried to drill in them the advantages of being your own boss and the rewards of working hard and being creative but time will tell.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
Remodeler/Punchout
those damn kids and their rock and roll music ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
kids and their rock and roll music ...
An' they won't get off the lawn!Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I've bumped into quite a few GCs in Idaho that are still in their 20s, but all those young guys seem to only be interested in low-quality production work. It's probably a function of the local contractors.
No, come to think of it, back in Wyoming and Colorado most of the young GCs were also into the fast and dirty buck.
It would be good if more contractors dropped out of the game to bring wages up to where more guys could make a living at it and the younger crowd with good heads on their shoulders could view the profession as a viable alternative to the white collar world.
It bugs me every time I talk money with electricans or plumbers, who don't really use a lot of skill on most residential jobs, and they are both making much more than the best carpenters.
Cheers
Of course young people don't appreciate it, but construction jobs are among the few that cannot be shipped overseas. There's something of a benefit in that.
Of course young people don't appreciate it, but construction jobs are among the few that cannot be shipped overseas.
Wayne, in case you haven't noticed, overseas came here to do those jobs.
That's why the wages are so low and your kids aren't interested.
Joe H
WOW... that was sharp, witty, funny.... and sadly, painfully true.
I'm fairly young myself at 33. I've tried a bunch of different guys working for me. The good ones show up, work hard, and try to learn just enough to get their next raise. The bad ones feel as though they deserve a job... like it's their God-given right. The guy who shows up, works hard, and actually shows a real interest in wrapping his head around the trade is a very rare bird. I'd love to turn over the "on-site" keys to someone competant. This would free me up to pursue other ventures as well as hunt down the primo framing jobs. Let me know when you find that guy... I know they're out there somewhere... but I sure haven't found him yet.View Image
Don't bet the farm on that.
If having a low wage work force was good for a country's economy then why hasn't Mexico built a fence?
I'd have to say it's kind-of a free for all around here.
I'm 41 and there are a number of self-employeds younger than me, and a couple that have crews too.
I'd say the largest percentage of contractors is in the 45-55 age bracket.
My impression is that you'd have a hard time finding a contractor who gives a hoot about "bringing someone along" so they can have someone "step into their shoes".
Many have switched to subbing everything.
Bowz
My impression is that for a number of people, being a contractor is a second career - I've heard of a number of people who either got burned out by or laid off from hi-tech jobs who then became contractors.
Of course, many of them are either "paper contractors", who never touch a tool themselves, or move back to desk jobs when they realize that working for a living is hard work.
I, on the other hand, am content to take half a day off from my desk job to come home and work on my garage, then stop to check out BT when it gets too hot out there . . :)
Don