Need help with a possible new job

[Baffan]

Take the job and enjoy it for as long as it lasts. As has already been said, the construction business takes thick skin, and although your "boss" won't like your decision he won't ultimately hold it against you if your as good of a carpenter as it appears you are.

I'm on the commercial side, not the residential, but due to a couple billion dollar or nearly billion dollar projects that have come into town lately the scales have increased on those jobsites and we've had a few field guys leave for your exact reason. This is even with our company paying some of the highest scales in the area.

When the employees left, you can bet we were upset especially since good labor force is small and demand is high right now. However, now that the large jobs are starting to wind down and these guys are being laid off they are coming back to our company, and we can't get mad when we aren't willing to pay them what they were making on those sites. Those of them that are good workers, we are welcoming back with open arms because it's hard to find good help. The only downfall for them is they are going back to the rates they were getting paid when they left.

At the end of the day, if you are good at what you do, it won't matter because you're in a field that has a high demand that people will be willing to pay for. Good quality field construction employees are hard to find, and it's only going to become harder as the young people go to college instead of going into a craft.

Explain the situation to your boss, if you like him ask him to pay you what they are going to pay you. If he isn't willing to do that say thanks but you can't let the opportunity pass you up.

 

[BiggerCy]

During my sophomore and junior summer breaks in high school, I worked for a flooring subcontractor. I really did not have a plan after high school except to work, so I worked for him for a year after high school as well. I then went and bought my own van, and all of the necessary tools, because I was ready to go out on my own. He trained me well, he really knew his stuff, and it showed because I was good installer.

I felt bad about leaving and not working for him anymore, because he showed me everything. But he also understood that I was ready to go out on my own. I subbed for a couple years, and just couldn't see myself working my whole life as a flooring subcontractor. I sold the van, but still have all my tools.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is, be your own man. Tell him about the respect you have for him for getting you to this point, but now an opportunity has been presented to you that will better yourself. He should understand.

 

[DoctorUncle]

Your boss should understand. It's pretty much the nature of the business. Go for it!

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I'm not in the business, but from a mom's perspective I would find out whether this contractor has done this very often. He might be angling for paying less money for quality work, and you don't want to be similarly caught down the road.

 

[Scott34]

I'm not in the business, but from a mom's perspective I would find out whether this contractor has done this very often. He might be angling for paying less money for quality work, and you don't want to be similarly caught down the road.

So just from the short conversation that I had with the project supervisor, they basically just got tired of my bosses attitude. He was basically trying to push his weight around and was stepping on other people's toes along with talking to people in a negative tone. Firing him had nothing to do with pay as they said they would pay me the same as they were paying him. I don't know what that is but I know it's more than what I was making.

 

[Scott34]

Also want to thank everyone for their input. Believe it or not everyone's input has been helpful.

 

[lakeliving]

Also want to thank everyone for their input. Believe it or not everyone's input has been helpful.

I know you are sincere. But........it seems strange seeing that statement on CF!!!:wideeyed:

 

[Jambalaya]

I would probably chat with the old boss no matter what. Let him know they approached you. It gives the appearance of respect for him and you weren't a shark smelling blood. If he's going to be mad at you he will be mad, but just taking 10 minutes to reach out and avoid bad blood may serve you well down the road sometime. I would contact him after your decision though.

^^ This

 

[Tre4ISU]

If you're good at what you do (which you evidently are since the contractor is coming to you) then I highly doubt your boss thought you'd be there forever. I'd go and use this to get a start. Maybe it's solid for a long time and maybe it's not but I would also make sure you're looking ahead and making sure you are watching other potential jobs if it ever starts to look slim.

 

[enisthemenace]

OP is in a tough spot, philosophically. It says a lot about you, and in good way IMO, that you even have a concern. Now, I do think you've already made your decision, and you had made it before you posted. Doesn't make you a bad person. You know the right thing to do, and others have made mention of it already.

1. Make the decision and don't question it
2. Talk to your boss as soon as you can, and give it straight
3. Don't allow #2 to change #1

 

[DanCyn]

Oh geez. I've done a lot of work for contractors in Iowa. Let me give you a recent example. I'm doing work for a painting company, one of the big ones in Des Moines. He's got his hooks into several builders. He bills them - on average - $2.25 per square foot to paint their houses, interior and exterior. He subs almost all of it out at an average of $1.10 per square foot. It's hugely profitable.

The question you have to ask yourself is do you want to be a trim carpenter or a businessman. I can tell you being a businessman will make you a ton more money - but you have all kinds of new issues and questions you have to answer for yourself. And if you elect to be a businessman get yourself some qualified professional help starting with the selection of the entity type you want to be taxed under and that will provide you some liability protection.

And then you can choose to simply be a trim carpenter doing the work yourself dedicated to this specific builder. You've got a ton of options. But to me it's a no brainer.

People make a helluva lot of money in many different ways. No reason you can't.

 

[Scott34]

So I just wanted to thank all you guys that gave your stories or opinions. I did take the new gig as I have so much room for growth if I wanted it. My old boss took it fairly well atleast when I told him anyways. Said he appreciated me being honest. I think deep down you could tell he was upset but didn't want to show it. Start my first house for them in probably 2 weeks. Nothing like getting thrown in the gauntlet right away as my very first house they give me is a $1.2 million home that is being entered into the spring Parade of Homes. The deadline for the house is gonna be tight bit should be a very cool house when finished. Have met with the homeowner a couple times to go over theit selections for the house.

 

[CyBri]

Sounds like a great opportunity getting a home in the spring parade of homes. A little advertisement never hurts.

So I just wanted to thank all you guys that gave your stories or opinions. I did take the new gig as I have so much room for growth if I wanted it. My old boss took it fairly well atleast when I told him anyways. Said he appreciated me being honest. I think deep down you could tell he was upset but didn't want to show it. Start my first house for them in probably 2 weeks. Nothing like getting thrown in the gauntlet right away as my very first house they give me is a $1.2 million home that is being entered into the spring Parade of Homes. The deadline for the house is gonna be tight bit should be a very cool house when finished. Have met with the homeowner a couple times to go over theit selections for the house.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Congrats! Home show houses are the worst! Everyone climbing over top of everyone and then they're wondering why more progress isn't being made.

 

[Scott34]

Congrats! Home show houses are the worst! Everyone climbing over top of everyone and then they're wondering why more progress isn't being made.

Luckily there is going to another crew that is going to do the basement. I have been able to get 2 other guys to help me tackle this account but they want this 6000 sq. ft. home trimmed in 3 weeks. Gonna be some awesome money but it's probably going to 14 hour days and 3 weeks straight of work. Should be worth it in the end.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Luckily there is going to another crew that is going to do the basement. I have been able to get 2 other guys to help me tackle this account but they want this 6000 sq. ft. home trimmed in 3 weeks. Gonna be some awesome money but it's probably going to 14 hour days and 3 weeks straight of work. Should be worth it in the end.

Yeah, almost makes sense to work nights when everyone is out of your way. Nice showcase for what you can do though.