Your Business

Roberts Ren

Okay guys got a question for you?
What type of "staff" do you keep, are you a one man show, are you a three man crew, do you just "manage" your field, office staff. I ask out of curiousity and to see how I set next to larger and or smaller companys. Myself I run a three man crew, one carpenter, one helper and myself, with my wife running the office. I want to expand in the next two years and really do not know which way I want to go :-) thanks so much for looking

Trim40

I am a one man show. If the job is too much to do in a reasonable time frame I have 2-3 subs I can count on.
My wife would like me to expand so she can run the "office" but we work together like gasoline an a lit match.

wellbuilthome

I'm the same way . I'm not using helpers now . When work picks up we can split into 3 , three man crews and work three jobs at once . I don't really make money with helpers . I build additions from start to finish We don't do sheet rock , spackle, roofing , asphalt driveways , electrical work . I have been doing alot of paver walks , patios and walls .
I'm liking the work . I don't like planting shrubs or growing grass but will if I'm asked to finish the landscaping . We do alot of kitchen family additions with new windows , roofing , siding , and a deck.
our average job is 60 to 80 g . I like to do 10 jobs a year . John

Roberts Ren

See I moved to TN from Atlanta, now in Atlanta I GC's everything did punchout on my jobs and that was it. Moving forward we move here and I am back to the tool belt which I like BUT have never run my own company this way (believe it or not) we use to do 75-250 reno in Atl, now just focusing on mainly Kitchen & Bath and specialty items.

So with your three man crew you are doing your own demo, framing, carpenty and punch out and still keeping it all above water?

RobQuillin

At one time I had 8 employees. I was out every day running the projects and keeping things moving along and my wife was taking care of the office and bookeeping. Since then I have downsized to just me and 1 helper that is a sub contractor. I actually like it alot better. I have also downsized the scale of the jobs I do so I can handle them with just me and a helper. Be careful getting too big too fast. The overheads increase and the profit margin shrinks of you do it wrong.

freight dog

I do just fine with me and one helper. I've subbed out painting and carpet recently because I know that I can get it done quicker (cheaper) that way.

Everytime I think of expanding, I see my margins shrinking, so I am probably gonna stay this way for a while.

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nEighter

yes I am a 1 man band and my "staff" is great. My "staff" has not had a complaint yet. In fact, my "staff" has been sought after.. a crowd pleaser if you may. I have had my "staff" asked for by name ( I won't tell you my "staff's" name here, it goes by many a name), my staff is usually the center of the party, and my "staff" is not one to tun down unfair odds.. say 3 to 1...

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Olathe house Painting and Remodeling Overland Park Interior House Painting Leawood Exterior House Painting Shawnee Wood Rot Repair Lenexa Drywall Repair

woodchuck2

I too work alone for the most part. I had a helper for most of the summer but he moved on since i couldnt keep him busy. Right now i am a little behind so i will need to hire some temporary help but that is hard to find if you want quality help. I would like to expand so i have a full time helper "sub-contractor" so i can pick up some more work and a little larger jobs but i dont want to get too big and end up losing in the end.

mikeswoods

I too am a 2 man show. Myself and 1 assistant,Feel funny calling him a helper any more.

During the busier times I would sub out the painting and drywall work,this year we have been doing it all.

I had a company many years ago with 8 full timers and about 80 part timers,I like it better this way.

Hammer_Nail

Me and one part timer, too many cooks spoil the broth......

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Cole82

I am a one man show, but have several friends that are one man shows too. When I need help I give them a call to help me on bigger projects.


When I went on my own from my fathers construction biz. he told me in order to make a lot of money. I either had to stay with me and a helper or go really big. Saying you won't make more money with employees until you get over 12 full timers. 4 crews of 3. He owned his biz for over 30 years and 12-20 employees for the last 20 years.

AmeliaP

My husband is the Mason/Sales Guy - I run the office and work as his Laborer/2nd Mason/coffee runner

TarPaperCrane

My company has three project managers and about fifteen carpenters. We're down 2 PMs and 6 carpenters from 2 years ago, but I think we've been good about reacting to the market and staying nimble. Company started out as a cabinet shop 25 years ago and that side of the business is about the same size as it ever was. Started a GC business about 11 years ago and have slowly grown to the present size. 2 full time office staff and one part time, but they also handle the cabinet shop.

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CookeCarpentry

It's just me and two others - a part-time, semi-retired carpenter and a part-time helper.

Both of whom were added in the last 6-9 months.

Mellison

It depends on how busy I am.
Right now it's only me and my main guy.
Last year there were about ten of us.

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"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon