Overrated Small Business: Contracting

Contracting

It's not easy: You live,eat,breathe, and (don't) sleep general contracting - Architects, engineers, customers, codes, labor, materials, etc. are all a problem.

I did it for 60+ years and am just worn out. Made a little, spent most of it and just have the Golden Years to look forward to. If the Government doesn't just appropiate my retirement account like they did in Argentina.

There are some nice buildings here and there that I can point to with pride: At least the results are visible. It's some comfort to think I'll leave something behind other than a tombstone.

Frank of PA @ Mar 20, 2009 11:05:28 AM

Construction

GG. You and I are in quite the same boat. I am 36 yo as well. Been electrical contractor for 14 years now. When all my friends were partying and being careless, I studied and worked 50-70 hours per week. In my 20's and earlier. Now I am tired and always broke.

I was the underdog on the cheap for a while. Then you come up a bit, only to hit the radar of government that increasingly takes more and more of the money. Now I can choose some of my work and I work for whoever I want to. The only plus for protection from that same underdog as I was is that in Texas now we have a state license. So I can be a butt and turn illegal workers in.

Bids. Work. Suppply bills. Meetings. Taxes. Paperwork. Non-payers. Cheap folks. "Free" Estimates. Truck expenses. Phone ringing all the time. UGHH! OH AND THE WORST OF ALL!! NO VACATION!!!!!

Actually the only things that keep me doing this are 1. I am a man and can call whatever shots necessary and I ask NO ONE'S consent. I am THE boss! 2. I work for you _IF_ I want to. If I don't like something about you it is my sole discretion to turn down the job. 3. Once again, I AM THE BOSS. I do whatever my whim is that day and my actions can change with the spirit.

I don't want to sound bullish because in all actuality the norm is for me to lose out in favor of making my customer pleased. But it cannot be understated that once you have the responsibility and freedom to do what YOU feel is the best, there is no greater feeling than that. Women tend to think of it as having no security in my job but the contrary is true. I make my own way and my own jobs. No one gives me a job. It is just an even contract of trading money for my work. I always have another job around the corner.

Hopefully the value and character I have built up over these years will continue to pay me in these lean times.

Good luck to all the true tradesmen out there that wanna make this work......

BE of TX @ Mar 16, 2009 23:02:12 PM

Resources to help

There are two books I would recommend:

"It's Called Work For A Reason! by Larry Winget.

"Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy.

Whatever you choose to do as a profession the principles contained within these books are similar: "Do whatever it takes. No excuses, No explanations!" and "Become efficeint & disciplined."

MM of TN @ Feb 23, 2009 14:13:38 PM

fy

so don't hire mexicans instead hire stupid white trash

and buy them a bag of speed and put them to work and we all see how does the best job

micke stone of CO @ Feb 17, 2009 12:10:24 PM

find something within contracting

Alot of us are in the same boat.We are the hardest working industry. And it's absolutely true, customers nowadays want microwave results, then they wonder why their houses, bathrooms, kitchens, roofs etc. are falling apart.They have no one to blame but themselves, they hired the idiot with the lowest price that had no idea what quality is all about. I'm just glad that most of these guys are now closed. The trail of bad rep they left behind has cought up to them and no one is hiring them. My only regret is that these corner cutting contractors have at the same time ruined the credibility of the honest, quality contractor. My dad and uncle started in the construction business and taught me well:: "integrity in your work and word" is key. In these times when the consumer is watching every dime they spend, they are very careful whom they choose and although most consumers don't know any better some are still willing to spend good money for good work. My dad died and uncle closed business and retired. I took over and realized in late 80's that the incoming cash would not keep up with the overhead expenses. As hard as it was i went from contracting to concentrating on one phase. I now do kitchens, i no longer have the travel expenses with 2 vans and 3 trucks. the only increase has been in the shop size. I'm spending an extra 700 in leased space but saving 9,000 a yr in vehicle insurance, 12,000 in fuel costs, about 5 to 6k in repairs a yr. the rest of the money i was spending from petty cash i invested in advertising.for the first yr the money i saved i used to get qulity machines to speed up the process of manufacturing. I've since cut down on advertising, (found better deals)and can depend on 60% of the work that comes from word of mouth. Most of us are tired and feel unappreciated but can reinvent ourseleves. I wish you guys alot of luck and can appreciate your hard work. Get your brains in gear, dust yourselves off and pull up your sleeves. don't forget praying helps alot.

alex of NJ @ Feb 09, 2009 09:48:08 AM

problems in contracting (Ohio)

We own a small family run contracting company and I cant tell you how many times we have been drastically under bid by one of the fly by night company's that brings in a full crew of 10 plus Mexicans that fly threw a job without pulling permits and the customer ends up with a house that was worse off than it was to begin with, they don't use ice guard on the roofs and winter comes and these poor people have leaks all over the place and their ceilings falling in and it ends up costing them twice what it would have to just fix it right the first time. Half the time they don't even finish the job, they cash your check and their gone! It's a huge problem especially here in the akron/cleveland area where tones of people are out of work with gm and ford plants closing up and everybody cutting back,if its not the Mexicans its some guy out of work that hasn't a clue what hes doing and the owners of these company don't care about their customers their just out there to make a buck and move on to the next sucker who's looking to "save some money" It's killing honest small businesses all over the place!

magi of OH @ Feb 04, 2009 10:04:40 AM

Frank of MS

Frank

This could not have been said better! Thank you. All of our elected leaders should be MADE TO READ THIS!

As a specialty contractor in Wisconsin, I have seen this same thing over and over and over, and its getting worse!

Thank you for you comments!

Dan V

Wisconsin

Dan V of WI @ Jan 04, 2009 15:05:09 PM

Overrating Small business: Contracting

As a contractor in New Orleans for 30+ years, I have seen ups and downs. Hurricanes, taxes, insurance, hurricanes, poor city managers, insurance, desperate home owners, poor labor pool, insurance, no public leadership, insurance,...etc. It has always been a challenge! Do the BEST work that you are capable of doing (I specialize in old Victorian homes,) respect your reputation, do the right thing, build a customer base and you may be lucky enough to earn a living. No one told me that it was easy, at least I am at the point where I can pick and choose my projects. My biggest rule is "Don't Get Greedy!

Larry D Lawrence of LA @ Dec 09, 2008 10:45:24 AM