Surviving

ChuckT

I am very interested in entering the general contractor field, I have a friend who has been in awhile and is willing to take me on as an apprentice. My question is, I live in San Diego, where the cost of living is absurd, do general contractors make enough on average to afford a decent life in areas like this?

I realize it fluctuates, and depends on you work ethic, ability, etc. But I just want to know, if I am willing to put in the hard time, and do a great job, is this something you can make over six figures doing? (Sorry, I know salary talk is rude, but it is a pretty big decision for me).

TigerFan

http://california.construction.com/p...argest_GCs.pdf

According to the preceding link, the largest general contractor in California did $2.13 Billion in revenue for YE2005.

So, yes, I think general contractors can make enough money on average to afford a decent life.

tf
btw, #70 on the list did $26.6 Million - you could probably still pull over six figures out of that

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http://www.bayoucontracting.com

Glasshousebltr

UpChuck, ya better start digging into topics here, cause, finding out if your cut out for this is the most important issue.

If your not....you could go postal.

Bob

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Bob

RobertF

Haha figures it's Granite Construction, I think their license number is 89 and current numbers are over 850000!

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-Robert F

Cole

If you are easy to work with and do good work and have the client base, yes, you can pull 6 figures easy.

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pwrpapa

I think the CA. market is one of the best for making a six figiure income.

ChuckT

Thanks for the info., it looks like the big boys can can do far better than I need to, but it seemed like a lot of people on this forum were employees or owners of smaller companies, 4-6 guys. Can a smaller firm like that pull a decent living as well?

pwrpapa

Sure you can. If you have all your ducks in a row.
But if one ducky gets out of line, than that's a hole new adventure.

Cole

Yes, easy.

Just make sure you read all the past threads on this forum and you will have a lot more knowledge when you are ready to make the jump.

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Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

TigerFan

Chuck,

I believe the reality is that you can pull in a fantastic living in any number of businesses in any number markets - pool guys in Oklahoma, janitorial companies in Idaho, painters in Kentucky or GC's in Cali -

Bottom line is it is all about you - your abilities, attitude, work ethic, character ethic and organization.

Best advice I ever got for the type of work we do was simply this:

"Finish the job - no matter whether it's a great job or you lose your ass, finish the job. Your word is gold, period. When you committ to it, do it - win, lose or draw."

tf
best of luck!

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http://www.bayoucontracting.com

joasis

No one has said this to you, but one quality that will make or break you as a GC is experience. We do not do any work, except the mechanicals (hvac,plumbing,electrical), that I am not fully capable of doing. If I have a guy quit in the middle of a job, or a sub crew doesn't show, we can jump right in and do the work. You can hire talent to do the work, but I believe you need to fully understand EVERY phase of the trade....That is why, with a few exceptions, GC's work from the bottom up, not laterally from the top.

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Grumpy

According to "Millionaire Next Door" the #1 vehicle driven by Millionaires across America is the Ford F150. Think about that.

I truly believe you can make a good living... a great living... doing anything, including literally shoveling crap; if you are good at it, and enjoy what you do. Further more, adding to what joasis said, if you are going to be in business for yourself you better have business skills, other wise you are better fit to be an employee. Being the worlds best tradesman doesn't mean you will be a good trade business man. The point is you need to have those trade skills AND business skills.

You can pull 6 figures at any size company, even 4 workers, if you charge enough for your work and keep a handle on your overhead, of coarse assuming the sales are there and you stay busy.

RYANINMICHIGAN

[QUOTE=Grumpy]According to "Millionaire Next Door" the #1 vehicle driven by Millionaires across America is the Ford F150.QUOTE]


Great Book, It really changed the way I think

Melissa

We're in So Cal too, started 3 1/2 yrs ago. Haven't made over 6 figures yet, but I definitely think it's possible and not that difficult. Especially in So. Cal where there is a lot of money.

I agree with everything said above. Just wanted to emphasize the business skills and to read all the posts on this site, and you should be good! Good Luck!