Getting License!

kevbo

Hi!

Chris Johnson

Kevbo;

First off, why just get your C-6, Get a B and your C-6 is covered, from my understanding. This also allows you to grow your business without having to return to write for another license.

I think it is fair to say that you should be receiving some sort of vehicle allowance if you are required to do more than simply get to work, transporting materials, running 8 different sites, etc., etc. is eligable for renumeration of some sort. Talk to your boss, if he says no - not gonna happen, take your wife's car for a while, this way you can't move materials, you'll either get fired or get an allowance of some form.

Do you have incompetant crews? The missing hinge screws, rubbing doors etc. are the guys that work for you responsibility, if they can't complete the task without you babysitting them then something is seriously wrong, either you are not doing your job properly, you have the wrong guys, your expecting too much from your staff based on their pay/qualifications. Sorry to be rough here, but somethings missing.

I don't know what you make in a week, but don't expect to see that daily, most of us on here can tell you about putting money back into the company to make payroll. It may look rosey, but it can have it's peaks and valleys if you are new to the game expect a little bit of sticker shock here in California when you get your insurance for the first time, then when you start with employees comp kicks in, your a new business with no history, you start paying the max and have to prove yourself to get the rate down.

Assuming you have your 4 years experience expect up to a year wait for a license.

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Chris

Grumpyplumber

I had a similar problem.
I bought a 4 cylinder passenger car, parked my truck at home.
I got a company truck shortly after.

kevbo

Hi!

Chris Johnson

It's amazing, I have seen the Spanish language barrier since I arrived here 3 years ago, no one understands you - until they find out that something is going to cost them money, than everyone knows English. If your the foreman put their jobs on the line, tell them next infraction written warning, following one 2 day suspension, third time termination.

25 gals of fuel, I guess it depends on what you drive, I average 30 gals a week running around 550-600 miles plus trips out with the kids at night on occassion (Pizza, Baseball, Swimming, etc). I haven't figured out why you are capped on fuel yet, more jobs, more running, means more fuel. You'll just have to present it to the boss this way, play your cards close to your chest. Are you claiming your vehicle on your taxes? This needs to be taken into consideration.

I don't know your market, local economy, etc, I am not going to comment on what you can or cannot get. But I will say this, you posted $ 600+ per week, you are still thinking like an employee, forget the per week thing, look at it per year what you want/need to make, I pay myself on the first of every month. Can you get enough business to cover your $ 30000.00/yr? I hope so, but for that kind of pay, keep working for the guy your with, you need to double that to clear it after taxes, self employed tax, etc, etc.

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Chris

kevbo

Hi!

dougchips

You could sub out some of the work until you build up enough volume to leave your old job. Save up enough money for the slow times of the year.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Chris Johnson

Pending how long you have been around the area, established roots, made contacts, etc. this should be giving you an indication as to what business will be like, no offence here, but are you likable, do you get constant calls for people wanting you, not just a finish carpenter? These are signs of how work will start for you. Remember once you get your license and start advertising/promoting this current employer will find out that you are looking to venture on your own, believe me he reads papers or someone he is associtated with will bring it to his attention, once that happens how much longer do you expect him to keep you on for?

Between now and license time, keep your eyes and ears open, who knows what contracts you could end up with. Keep reading and get very business oriented, but stay personable in the process, keeps you smart and people still will like/trust you. Look at the current bosses situation, is he personable? Does he make money? Study all this, look for his faults/pluses and follow some of what he does and add your own flair. Before you know it, you could be right up there and bidding against him.

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Chris

J87513

Same here dude! I work with nice people and all, but I only make 20k a year. I can't wait until I have enough experience to get my Ca license. I will first start with my side company until it hopefully takes off then I will quit my current job.

I have learned that most people are too scared to start their own business, but then there are some leaders like us who have goals in life. Good luck!

J87513

^Chris Johnson^

I have heard of peole getting their license over here in Ca. Some say it took them 3 months, some say 10 months. These were all people with in the last few years who got their license. I think it has to do with the time of year that you file for it with the CSLB.

Also, you don't need 4 years of full time experience. If you have "substancial studies" from a university or college in math, physics, business, etc., it can wave 2 years off. Some people who are on that route only need 2 years of full time experience.

J F

A couple of things to consider:

1) Your current employer may decide to end your employment immediately if he hears through the grapevine that you're trying to go out on your own. Be prepared for that.

2) If you're burnt out now by the weekend, be prepared to be even more burnt out and having to work towards your new business on the weekends as well as 12-18 hours a day during the week. It takes a lot more time/effort/blood/sweat/tears than most of us think it will...especially the first few years, if you're fortunate enough to last that long.

Other than that, GO FOR IT. Just do a LOT of research (like you can do on this site). While you will have to put a hell of a lot more hours into trying to start a business, the jobs you do for yourself are always more rewarding

J

mahlere

I'll be the voice of dissention....

Don't do it...not right now.

You are completely unprepared for what you will encounter...

Think $600/week is not enough? Wait until you go a month without taking a paycheck...because this customer is late with a payment, that customer delayed the job, the truck broke and had to be fixed (but you lost 2 days of work), etc, etc, etc...

I could go on, but I won't.

I will leave you with 2 thoughts...

If your current boss is the largest sub around, and the cheapest, have you put 2 & 2 together yet?

2nd, go work for another contractor. You need a steady paycheck right now...In a year or 2 or 3, rethink it. But you are not nearly ready or prepared (based on your posts) to attempt to run your own company.

Good luck..

Grumpyplumber

If I were you...and I was, I'd be my worst critic.
Get the license first, then make the plans.
Until then you're fantasizing.
I know, because I was too...I had to wake up and smell some coffee.
I stopped whining about how bad my boss was one day...made the decision to "put up or shut up".
I had the license...but had to get rid of the BS reasons for not taking the leap..I made damn sure I had a nest egg (that could cover 3 months overhead) and a back up plan in the event the ship started sinking.
The ship came close once or twice, but I did it.
Looking back, I can't begin to say how proud I am for stopping the whining and just going for it.
But you gotta get the license...else this is only fantasizing.

Celtic

Have you asked for a raise?
How will you deal with HO's/GC's/etc's that point blank say: No Kev, your price is too high - if you want this job you gotta come back to earth!
It's going to be the same act with different faces.
Get that raise BEFORE you go on your own....think of it as a negoiating skill that you will eventually need to master ~ why not learn it on someone else's dime?




How do you plan on keeping up with these items when your on your own?
You could very well have 8 open tickets in 8 separate locations with various details that need tending to at some later date ...ie, painters not finished, punch listed items, etc.


How does the work get laid out to them?
Someone must tell them what to do.
By the same token, someone must also check the progress or lack thereof.
How does someone assign one person a new task if you do not know with certainty the previous task was completed PROPERLY?
Someone must check on them.
Who is that someone?


I don't think you're ready to go out on your own.

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mahlere

Curse you electrical contractors...Curse you and your reality...

Celtic

LOL.

Reality does bite.

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kevbo

Hi!

Chris Johnson

That statement right there is the icing on the cake, DO NOT try to go on your on. If your spouse is impatient right now and not supporting you in your efforts or pursuits, stay employed full time for someone, not by self.

This is experience talking to you, Divorce hurts pal, I don't know you or your wife, but in general speaking terms, without the support of your spouse and being a stickler for money now, wanting more, etc. this won't work, you may get lucky and have a great first year, but eventually a slow time hits and income will dip to zero or worse, you are looking for money to make ends meet on the first of the month.

Judging by your posts your situation is tight, meaning it sounds like savings are slim to none. How do you propose getting credit to carry projects? What is the game plan if someone fails to pay on time or even worse, not pay at all? You are talking about big builders, is this who you are pursuing for business when the time is right? These guys drag you out for 60-120 days and then some, they want to build with your money, they are not dummies.

If your still insistant on becoming self employed, you need to complete and pass the contractors license board test, if you haven't applied yet you will be between 3 and 12 months getting that done, you need to sit down with someone and write a realistic business plan, get financing in place, credit with suppliers, etc.

But most of all, your spouse has to be behind you 110% and don't B.S. her let her in on all aspects of what you are planning on doing and show her the up's, but also the down's. My Divorce cost 5 years from a bitch that wouldn't give up and a few hundred thousand. I'm 38 years old and with the amount of work I have done and money I have had go through my hands I should own a small subdivision of houses, instead...that's another story.

Think realistically, put it on paper and look around at your life and the people this will impact and how it can impact you and your families life. There is a good chance you can survive and make a mint, but there is also the chance of failure or worse, making a mint and paying it out in a divorce because someone can't handle the sacrifices you are making to improve their life.

Good Luck

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Chris

Dansbell

I agree with every bit of advice that has been given here. I don't know your situation or your abilities. Your family will have to be behind you in order for this endeavor to work. Your first goal is the licence. Start that process. Be creative. Continue building positive relationships. Decide what it is you most like to do and what you are most experienced at. After that consider approaching manufactures of doors, stairs, cabinets, counters, or what ever you are really experienced with and build a relationship with them. You probably have relationships with many of your suppliers already. Many manufacturers have in house installers for their products. This could be a source of employment now or in the future. Other manufacturers subcontract installation of their products either as a rule or when their in house installers are too busy. This kind of work can be excellent for an emerging contractor for several reasons. First, it is almost exclusively labor. You will not have incurred any cost of materials. Second, if you are good at what you do, you will be recognized for it and be used again. This limits the amount of public advertising you need to do. You can focus on selling your service to the manufacturers of products you like.

No matter how you build your business you will need good relationships with others.

Stay positive. Decide what is most important to you. Set some goals. If you are driven you will succeed. Don't expect any thing to just happen. Get the business skills you need. Put your plan in writing and refer to it often. Ask lots of questions.

Good Luck,

__________________
Daniel S. Bell
Belbuilt, LLC
Install Cabinets Medford, Oregon
http://www.belbuilt.com

Kingfisher

Not sure how the electrical licencing is in CA but both my GC Lic in FL and SC had to be signed off by another state certified GC. Just make sure you do not burn a bridge you still need a signature from. Good Luck