New To Site, Have Some Q's

hardhat1203

I am a Michigan Union Carpenter and work here is pretty slow right now. My wife lost her job back in Dec. and she just ran out of un-enjoyment, she has found out by doing research that there is no extension for it. We are in a bad situation right now and are about a month from deciding to walk away from our house, or to try to stay and find work and go thru what money we have saved in the bank, which we would use to rent a house somewhere else.

So if you could answer any of these my wife and I would greatly appreciate it, thanks..

1. Where do you live?

2. Is there a Union in your area that you know of, and what is the wage for carpenters?

3. If there is no Union, what seems to be the general wage for carpenters?

4. How is the general economy is your area? Good? Bad?

5. How is the housing market? Is there alot of houses up for sale or rent?

6. What seems to be the average wage in the area for non-construction type work? I.E. Retail work or part time work?

Again, any questions you can answer would be greatly appreciated.. thank you!!

Cdat

I too am from the Michigan area.

1: Flint, the Hellhole of Michigan, where the weak are killed and eaten.
2: Whole lot of unions.
3: Carpenters are in zero supply right now so wage would be zero.
4: I think our unemployement is between 17-27 percent.
5: 830 or so houses for sale at present. Buyers market big time but you won't sell your own unless you're willing to take a massive loss.
6: Minimum wage to 10 bucks an hour. I would not recommend it right now. Here's what I recommend you to do. Go to the Detroit area. Find the people building the new hospital complex. Hire in for pipe fitting. I know of quite a few carpenters who went that route and are now fully employed. It saved their houses and marriages and kept them sane.

neolitic

Seems to be quite a bit of commercial
going on still, and 2 big hotels starting
soon, besides on going airport expansion.
Indianapolis Union Locals-#758 and #60.
I've been out for a while, but if you gave the
locals a call I'm sure they'd let you know if
you're welcome or not.
Good luck.

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Brandon.heath34

Texas is growing my friend and good English speaking contractors are running thin. The cost of living is cheap, people are happy and nice, and my wife finding work didn't take more than a week when we moved down here from WA. I live out on the I35 corridor between San A and Austin, there is no place like it.


I hear Houston is blowing up due to the oil boom as well but stuff is still cheap here...

HVAC_Ryan

This too shall pass. It sure did here in Canada. We're still crazy busy in Alberta, but DAMN things have skyrocketted in price. Plenty 'o jobs still, finding affordable housing it tough.
Move now if you can. Cost of living will only increase.

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"They must find it difficult...Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority." - Gerald Massey