Union Company In Need Of Estimator/Partner

vzelkina

Where do I start. I am a Union Carpenter in NJ. Been with the union for 13 years now. Started my own union company dealing mainly in Framing, Drywall, Doors, Frames, Hardware, and windows. Started off with a partner who said he can estimate properly. After the 2nd job went deep into the red we desolved our partnership for his lack of skills. So here I am. I am an amazing project coordinator, but know very little on estimating. I have a wonderful relationship with the union on many levels, and get projects to bid all the time. I am in quite a pickle. I have been refusing jobs due to, well I know I can't bid them properly. So here is my proposal, I am looking for an estimator that knows union work to become a partner with me on a per job basis to start, with a partnership in the company once abilities are proven. I have become skeptic of people saying the can properly estimate. I lost over 60K due to the last partner not estimating the job correctly and we had to fullfill the contract. I can not afford that again. Please contact me if you are interested or have any useful suggestions.

David Johnson
Aarley Interiors
973-262-6458

Celtic

David...have you considered talking with the folks at LU#6?

An estimator - as you have discovered - can make or break a company. The local may know of someone who can help you out...be it a GF, PS or PM whose project has wound down and is looking for options/alternatives.

Alternatively, monster.com can be an option - I see ads for estimators, PMs and PSs quite frequently.

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vzelkina

Everyone is helping me. After being so seriously hurt with the two jobs, all I can do is not hire someone but offer a partnership. Otherwise I believe that it will be the end to my company. Everything I saved and made went to fix the mistakes made in estimating a job. There was no way I was going to ruin my name with the union or the GC that I was working with. So here I stand. Its either find someone to work with me or close the company.

Brickie

Place an ad on Craigs List. Plenty of union folks there always looking for the right opportunity.

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“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

vzelkina

Ahhh Tried that...read the terms and conditions on craigslist. No business opertunities. Its a voilation and my ad got tossed off.

Celtic

Screw craig's list

As a union contractor, does the local/international or affiliate offer classes in estimating for you and your "suits"?

The IBEW (electrical) offers classes through NECA for contractors: http://www.necanet.org/PortalTools/RegMEI/

How about some of your former working partners....any of them willing to step up to the plate?

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JustaFramer

Vzelkina. The are estimating consultants out there that can estimate your projects. I know one shop that does that. I know the locals around here will help out new union shops with those kind of things. I know there is a enhancement class for estimating too.

Brickie

You gotta know how to get around all that:

You place a FREE ad under labor/gigs stating that you are looking for an estimator for your Union company. When you start getting responses, you start your interview process part of which includes your business opportunity deal

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“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Celtic

You really believe that is good advice to a guy that really needs some help ...to "play the game" with the bottom dwellers at CL?

IMHO, a prudent solution is to seek help from where professionals seek work....from what I have seen CL does not fit the classification.

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Jason Whipple

You might have the best luck looking through the state unemployment office. People that have had respective positions usually registered there. You might run into a bad class of people when you look for a partner in a hurry.

If you have some savings, it might be a good time to dip into it and hire someone to work for you. Be picky, make sure they can do the job.

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Facebook | Twitter

Brickie

Celtic,

Quite frequently on CL Chicago Union Carpenters, contractors, etc., place ads looking for work, offering their services, etc. Even though I am a Non-Union Masonry Contractor I would not consider them to be "bottom dwellers" but people trying to put food on their families tables.

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Marcus W

DAVID YOU STILL MIGHT NEED TO LEARN A LITTLE ESTIMATING YOURSELF EVEN IF YOU FIND SOMEONE. AND WHO'S TO SAY IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN . NYU HAS A COUPLE OF GOOD COURSES.

GOOGLE NYU SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES. REALESTATE/CONSTRUCTION. GREAT NETWORKING TO .


"THIS IS CHESS NOT CHECKERS " D.WASHINGTON (TRAINIG DAY)

Marcus W

DAVID HOW BIG ARE THE JOBS YOU ESTIMATE ?

Marcus W

DAVID PLACE YOUR ADD AS SALARY (TBD) TO BE DETERMINED
WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER . WHAT YOU OFFER IS PHYSICAL YOU JUST HAVE TO SELL IT THE RIGHT WAY.


"LEADERS SOLVE PROBLEMS" PASTOR IRELAND IMPACT MINISTRIES

Marcus W

AND YOU CAN PICK THEIR BRAIN ALSO!!!

JMJ

Just Curious as to how this worked out for ya David. I'm thinking about hiring or trying to farm out the estimating until I get a better grasp of it and can dedicate a little more time to it.

Snow Man

Dave , Estimating is relatively simple.

How long would it take YOU to hang an 80" pre-hung solid oak commercial door?

time / material / overhead / profit


get-er-done

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DECOSnowRemoval&IceControl
Serving Delaware County & Philadelphia Pa
610 457-9721

Celtic

LMAO

...then take the time it takes YOU to do the task and multiply by 1.5% for the time it takes someone HIRED to do the same task.

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