Starting A Business

marketingmaven

Absolutely true! Here's a great article from EcoHome Magazine. There was a study done on green consumers and, (no surprise here) the economy is their top concern (59%), not the environment (8%).
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/...consumers.aspx

Krocky007, have you thought about consulting? Sounds like you have some good knowledge and a background in this field. You could partner with remodeling/construction companies.

Regards,
Annette

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Manassas Remodeling Contractor
Manassas Replacement Windows
Manassas Kitchen Remodeling
Manassas Bathroom Remodeling

Zinsco

krocky07 sounds pretty smart, I hope we didn't run him off.

rselectric1

If a bunch of good natured chaps like us could do that, then he he will get eaten alive on the jobsite. (and by customers)

I hope he visits again too.

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220...221...whatever it takes!

JumboJack

Yeah...I need some advise.I just happen to have a nasty opossum problem in my back yard.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

krocky07

Haven't scared off yet! Actually a lot of good info here for me after sifting through the posts. Some kind of consulting while partnered up with a contractor sounds like a great plan. I know my idea is very rough so there are all kinds of ways it can possibly end up. Is it possible to own a company where my job is to find jobs and products and then partner up with contractors to do the work? This way I would be "protecting" the guys in the trade and helping them find work. My third job is web design, so I can offer a lot I think to guys who have the skills. My main concern would be making sure we're all happy with our incomes. I want to be involved with the work but maybe I need to be looking at a different role. Those of you that posted to help thanks! I'm all ears to learn from you guys and if you are serious I can help with your oppossum problem.

Also to the poster that worried about me posting on his dime I work a Wed to Sat shift, 4 10s.

rselectric1

That was me. Thanks for clarifying.

Your plan is interesting, but notwithstanding the expense issue you have read about with the green movement, your last post sound a bit more realistic.

When I was about your age, I wanted to do EVERYTHING too. It took a few hard knocks to realize you cant be all things to all people.

If you can sell the jobs, there are more than enough good contractors out there to partner with on a co-op basis. (per job at first)

The fact that you re-appeared will win you some respect here.

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220...221...whatever it takes!

krocky07

Yea I can get pretty busy with all I have going on so there may be periods of time between my visits to the board. I'm going to spend some time researching partnerships and how they could work.

I know that the green stuff is expensive, however I do have a pretty large network of people that may be interested in such products. I'm also surrounded by wealthy tree huggers living in So. Cal. It may not be as lucrative as I originally planned but I think there is some money to be made there.

Have any of you ever partnered up in a situation like this? I figure anyone I partner with will still be doing their own work in addition to what I find.

rselectric1

Thats why it's a good idea to co-op jobs at first on a job-by-job basis. Yes, any contractor worth his weight will not drop everything to work for you on a promise. (Too many of them get broken)

There are lot's of details that your co-op contractor and you will need to hash out. (See a lawyer) Your first couple will involve several p1ssing contests...guaranteed.

On this site you will get a little taste of what contractors are like. You NEED to be thick skinned. We can be a rough bunch but secretly respect ambition.

HINT-Get lined up with some of the posters on this site from your area. There's quite a few. Once you get above a certain post count you can send them instant messages.

Good luck!

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220...221...whatever it takes!

NormW

Krocky,

Green building has a lot of buzz nowadays. My wife constantly bugs me about it, she thinks Im dumb for not trying to get into it.

I worked in a lumberyard, were we tried bringing in green products. Granted this was years ago, but at the time, people were plainly not interested. Conversely, we could bring in the most insensitive-environmentally questionable product, tack on a premium price, and it would sell.

On average People with money will pay more for "raped rainforest" then they will for recycled plastic... Around here, I see more hummers, than hybrids too. So maybe its regional.

Anyway, your young, so follow your interests... Let us know what you find out. I honestly would love to see this stuff take off.

mikeswoods

Hi there Krocky, R.S. has offered you a good suggestion. If you can sell and sell a job profitably, You will have no problem finding licensed quality contractors to work with you.

Years back I helped a start up contractor who was an amazing sales man. Unfortunately he knew nothing about the ins and outs of actually running a jobsite.

He was trying to build additions as well as keep his full time desk job.

He also would not allow me to hire the subs or order the materials.

Great salesman -not a wise business man--Now out of business.

He gave me the last job that he sold.

brooklynite

Start with Green Stuff that actually SAVE people some money. For instance some bathroom fans are green and use less energy. Or if you are building something, tell them about the value of higher R rating insulation products or window glass with better E values and doors that seal tighter that exceed the building department requirements which will help them save on energy.

Saving energy is big for people because they see the benefit right on their electrical bill.

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Subbill Construction - Los Angeles Home Remodeling and Construction

KennMacMoragh

Yes, you can sub everything out, that part shouldn't be a problem. The problem is attracting the right customers and landing the contracts, which I don't know how you're going to do, personally I don't think you can. Another problem is; it sounds like it's hard to get your GC license in California. If you were in Washington it would be easy, any monkey can get one, no test or no experience needed. Except the insurance companies want you to have three years experience in the field, but you can just lie and they wouldn't know.

Green & Gold

I do some of the things you are trying to do. I'm a GC in CA who specializes in green retofits. I often partner with an engineer/associate when selling larger green remodeling jobs. I do most of the work in our case, but he can do certain specialty work despite not being licensed. As the GC, when I don't do a particular install, I provide supervision/oversight (per law). His goal is to get his GC License (B-1) asap. The best part about this arrangement is that, as an engineer, he has access to a host of clients/potential clients that I don't have (i.e potential "green" customers who can afford the intial higher cost of a retrofit). I'm new here, but pm me if you'd like or when/if that is allowed (or I can pm you). Side note: I'm an Aztec alumni and have done much work in SD.

carolinahandyma

krocky07

Please PM when you get enough posts, I have some ideas for you.