Leaving That Job Site...revisted....

ruskent

I am still struggling with leaving the job site fully and actually running a business. I have made alot of progress. I really do not do much physical labor. I make my guys shot all elevations, layout etc. I am basically there just looking over their shoulders making sure no mistakes are made.

I have been keeping track of what things I do tell them so I can include them on future plans in the form of notes.

Overal I feel I waste a tremendous amount of time each day. I really do not think I am personally accomplishing anything. I really need to leave the job site 90% of the time.

Did you guys slowly leave the site? IE 1 day a week, then 2 etc. Or did you just get up a leave one day?


The next job we are starting is small, around 50k. I think I am going to do a long walk through with my guys, give them a detailed plan and let them have it. Lets see how they do.

Mike Finley

You're crazy to "I think I am going to do a long walk through with my guys, give them a detailed plan and let them have it. Lets see how they do."

There is a big difference between being a control freak and tending to your business. Calling, stoping by, inspecting without acting like it, patting your guys on the back when you confirm they are doing well, being known for being around randomly, chatting it up with the customer and basically confirming all is well is the latter.

wellbuilthome

You need to pick the best guy , tell him the hole job and stop talking to any of the other men about the job . You need to make some one the boss man . Let him pick his own men , let him take the hours at the end of the week , let him try to come up with a game plan . Get him some nice shirts that make him look like a boss . I would stop at the job three times a day and see how it gos. When you start to feel good about there work take the next best guy and start crew # 2 . I like to run 3 jobs with 9 men + me . You could double up a crew for a larger job or get extra men when needed . Then you would have time to do boss things . Good luck you will need some.

Carport King

Hey Rusk get out your checkbook because Mike and myself will be charging you from now on for our mentor program!

Man you would think you were having a baby or something. Hey it is just dirt,rocks,plants etc. Come on put the best guy in charge and cut them some slack and leave the job site will you?

Do like Mike says and give them some breathing room. Check on them once in a while but let them do there job. Hey guess what they will make mistakes so big deal. Like you never have?

The job will run better without you. Bet you.

PS. Make that first check out to Mike for $2500.00 hell we just saved you more then that.

ruskent

Every job is my baby!!! Thats the biggest proablem.

I think I will cut back to just afternoon visits. Last year with a smaller crew and smaller jobs i had no proablem cutting back. Now that I am into larger worker every job (95k average job for the year) I somehow feel like I need to be there.

Being there, and listen to the questions I have been asked is helping me put the right details on the plan. Such as exact patio pitch, where to put sleeving under patios or walks, where to put excavated dirt, Pattern angle, etc. The plans we use now are detailed enough for me since I spend so much time with the plans during the design stage.


I am making progress! I have 3 good guys now.

Snow Man

You M A K E them shoot elevations ?
I cant do any thing without an incentive .
When you say small around 50k , are you spending the rest of the year on that job or just 2-3weeks?
Real estate(dirt farming) is the only gamble out.
Best Wishes!

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DECOSnowRemoval&IceControl
Serving Delaware County & Philadelphia Pa
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Carport King

Ok I will give you an atta boy! How that?

Mellison

Ruskent,
I also look at my business as well as each job as my baby.
That being said, here is a way to get over this situation and it is pretty simple: Book two jobs for the same time period, or at least a temporary overlap between the two.
You will have no choice to split a crew(or hire a couple of new men)and bounce between job sites to check on the progress of each. All the while being reachable by cell phone to answer any questions that arise.
Think of the freedom not to mention the extra money to be made.
If you spend that much time on the job site now you should have a good idea as to who you can instruct to lead the crew.
Trust me, I speak from experience.
Mike

genecarp

relax, deep breaths.........

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nlgutters

Which job do you prefer most ? Being on site or running the business. There is nothing wrong with being on site and hiring somebody to run your business. A buddy of mines father owns a business that does close to 10 mil a year. He digs ditches and changes oil. He loves that part. customers talk to him like hes a monkey and he just laughs and keeps working. I always thought it was stupid but that is what he likes to do.