Hello all:
Just a quick intro; I am between first and second retirements. When I was a kid I did a lot of yard work- cutting grass, raking leaves, etc. Because my parents owned our home and my father came from the Depression years on a farm when you learned to make things last, I learned to make repairs around the home. Painting, plumbing, mechanic, etc. Later went into government work, but always self-sufficient at home. First full time job/s was on a painting crew for two summers with an older man who took time to show you how to do it right and even as a 16 year old I was smart enough to respect him for that. Hardly ever have had to hire someone to do work for me unless it was something I couldn't do alone or didn't have the tools and equipment for. That is especially true now for mechanic work.
I would like to get into semi-retired business for myself in the near future but don't really know about the business end of bidding, contracts, etc. What work I have done in the past has been by request from those who know that
1. I do landscaping, painting, etc.; and
2. Whatever I do, I do well.
Always have priced work at an hourly rate plus extra for equipment, supplies, etc. Better than fair price for the customer and reasonably good parttime, on-the-side money for me. I have actually had people give me more than I asked on several occasions.
I have collected a reasonably good assortment of tools over the years, mostly high-end DIY quality. One philosophy I have is that whatever I save (or would have spent) on doing it myself goes partly back into buying tools. I can pay someone say, $100 for a job or I can buy $50 worth of tools, do it myself, and still have the tools when I get through. And play with the other $50!
So, there you have it. Maybe that wasn't so short after all, but there's several years in there. Any suggestions, been there-done that experiences, etc. would be appreciated and valued.
Thanks and good day to all,
Richard
Linear Mode
