Edmonton, Alberta- What Does It Take/cost To Find A Good Foreman?

Bjorn

Hi all,

New to this website, but already think it's terrific.

I'm wondering what it would take/cost to hire a top notch foreman/site supervisor/estimator/project manager. The dream candidate would have extensive experience in commercial and residential drywall.

I have a guy who is leaving me at the end of August, and I'm just trying to feel out the market.

I'm looking for someone with extensive experience in drywall (7+ years minimum), knows the business inside and out, has top notch technical expertise, and is willing to train apprentices and other employees.

Interestingly enough, I have been fortunate to be able to have enough employees and keep my crews going, so the person wouldn't have to do a lot of physical labour, but a fair amount of teaching and training because I have quite a few apprentices. The job would be great for experienced guys who have back problems, or other physical ailments but are still willing to work hard in other capacities.

Anybody want to weigh in here? I've always believed that you can't overpay on quality when it comes to managing a business and I'm willing to pay top dollar for the right person. The right candidate could just about name their price.

Am I being a bit too optimistic I can find this person? I have three months... Anybody interested? Know of anybody qualified?


Thanks in advance for your input.

mud dog

Hide his keys and don't let him go! I have worked as a taper in Edmonton for 8 years and can count on one hand the number of good foremen/supers I have met. Good luck.

taper71

Wow mud dog you have seen a good foreman in Edmonton. Are you sure ? That must be a joke.

Bjorn

So guys, what do you think I'd have to pay someone? What would you guys want or be asking for? Keep in mind, you'd be doing only about 20-25 hours of actual drywalling. So the job's great for a guy who's paid his dues, and could do without the physical grind. The rest of the time would be helping run the company, supervision, estimating and bidding, coordinating and managing projects etc...

kgphoto

Sounds like $60K per year to me.

taper71

Sounds like you are wanting an office guy who will also be out in the field as well. With the cost of living in Edmonton - to stay above water and live somewhat comfortable I would have to say $80 000. If you are looking for some semi retired old guy you may get away with less. I only say this because anyone who has the experience that you are looking for probably is running their own company very successfully allready and making double that figure.

Also the 20 to 25 hrs of actaul work would be the easy part. Training apprentices, estimating, bidding and managing /coordinating projects is where the mental strain comes in and is where most people fail. I have yet to see anybody do this without making someone angry.

mud dog

Good luck finding your replacement super. I was looking at working.com and noticed that Marc (Alta5) and KDH (Harold) are also looking for guys. I haven't heard of your company before, so I don't know which supply stores you use, but I was thinking that maybe you could ask the Dryco,Winroc,Kenroc etc. reps if they know of any good candidates. Rick Baumstark at CGC may know of a good person for the job too.

BUTCHERMAN

As a foreman myself i would have a couple of questions. 1) are there any benefits like medical or 401K? 2) are we training people who speak English? 3) how many projects a week are you running? 4) why not promote an on site manager (to be trained by the guy you have now) to take over. 5) how many crews do you have?

But to give you an answer. $80,000 a year with medical sounds about right. Also you may want a guy who does product research, deals with supply house representatives to keep up on these new products, deals with loading the jobs (not every job can be boomed in) and can communicate well with contractors and homeowners not just being polite but knowing what to say as well as what not to say.

AARC Drywall

80 000 not bad like above, but again if they are that good, or have to be that good, they should be running their own show and making more than $80.000. But as to above language, work load, etc..huge factor. My opinion for what is worth no less than $80 000 company turck, and benifits if you want to keep the guy...but put a condition on that they must meet expectation with in 90 days..that way you can weed out the bad ones.

J

BUTCHERMAN

This is true. As for myself i could run my own show and i did for 10 years. The reason i work for a company now is I'm not on call 24-7. I need to spend time with my wife and kid. So i make less money and split the headaches with the owner. I don't measure or deal with suppliers unless the owner is out of town (which is about once a month on average). I do run projects, train employees, troubleshoot, resolve issues, work with all trades in resolving issues. I'm involved in every aspect of the job. the difference is when i leave the office I'm done till the next day and my time is my own. I don't have to collect money, bill jobs or deal with any insurance companies (Workman's comp or liability) someone else takes care of that. This frees me up to relax at night. I do have a company truck to use at work but not for personal. I make good money, have health insurance, company credit cards, freedom to make decisions. I don't need to own the company to run the show. If that changes then i open shop somewhere else but until then I'm happy doing what i do.

PalyMudMan

Hi , my name is Palymudman and Im new to this SITE.. i must say that most of you are very very knowledgeable and im pretty excited to read all about tapin !!! woop de do ... anyhow.... im university trained in education physed, military trained in Navy, boatswain and taping trained by 5 old guys over 50 not to mention my own experience. Now i have all the tools < again!> and im looking for NO BS. If your serious im serious. Edmonton is a dog fight and there are SO MANY ****TARDS. no joke. i make 100 / hr when i do any project. OTHer than NOT GETTIN PAID . which is a joke ... mechanics leans everywhere. If your lookin for an all around dude.. train, estimate, do the jobs , etc... and remember NO BS... then give me a call or email me palymudman@hotmail.com - ill drop a number there.

Other than that... im not surprised anymore by the LACK of QUALITY in Edmonton.... 50 Percent Crack heads and 45 percent Alcho's the last 5 percent are so random that who wants to work for 30 - 50 / lf . ? i make good money by STAYING AWAY FROM ****TA$Rds.

good luck all and drop a line !!! from Canada < its goin downhill >

PalyMudMan

wow any advice for me to get up the ladder ? im lost and tryin to find a way..... prolly moving to kelowna Bc. for a bit of play and work .

itchytrigrfingr

I'm interested. I have over 15 years exp. drywalling. I'm a perfectionist and tapers often comment on the extreme attention to details I provide. I'm currently looking for a supervisory position because I'm tired of the grind, and in addition, I feel like I'm being grossly under paid for the quality of my work and standards. The contractor I work with pays me the same amount of $ as somebody who comes off the street, and I've been with them for over 6 years without ever once looking elsewhere for work even though I've heard of better dollars out there. On top of that, I'm usually the one sent to do work too difficult for your average joe at an hourly rate less than that I'd be making piece work in a house, while the new guy off the street does my house at twice what I'm making fixing the last fly by night guy's mess. See my dilemma? The contractor's house is paid for in less than 2 years and last year I filed bankruptcy. What's wrong with this picture? Simply, the contractor in this case is too greedy and is not acknowledging the men and women that provide the craftsmanship and quality that keeps people calling the business for drywallers. It's time I see what it's like from the other side of the fence. Anything I endeavor becomes an obsession to perfect. I AM YOUR MAN!

PalyMudMan

Well said my friend , I feel your pain.

Bjorn

Hi itchy,

If you're still interested, I'd definitely be willing to meet you and give you an interview. Send me an email and your resume when it's convenient. speaktobc@hotmail.com

itchytrigrfingr

Please understand that I'm a bit tentative because of the reaction from the contractor. I wouldn't want to poke a bee hive, and stir up a bunch of ??! The fear of the unknown is also a factor. I have a family to support and their future is my utmost concern. Thirdly, I am an expert drywaller with great communication skills, I've run a few condo projects. However, I'm afraid that may be as far as my skills reach. I may be lacking some of the key elements you seek as I've never priced or bid on a job. I'm the leader of a three man crew. Together we have 46 years experience. I have a conscience and wouldn't want to abandon them either. There is definitely a lot to talk about. Need to finish 12,000 sq.ft house and give it some thought. My guy is in kahoots with a few drywall companies and this whole thing could blow up in my face if he found out I was looking elsewhere.

Bjorn

Itchy, no problem. I understand and respect your loyalty to your guys. If you change your mind and want to talk, email me, we can set up a meeting that would be kept confidential. There's also a possibility that I would want to take your crew on too.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

ricosghost00

I dont know if your still intrested but i know the perfect canadaite in everything you asked thiers a small problem he lives in calgary. Have worked under him for 11 years or so, hes a bit of a workaholic thou maybe you can intice him to go up there. From last I heard he was going to look at starting his own company because hes not impresed with the current options.

Bjorn

Hi ricosghost,

I'd definitely be willing to take a look and set up an interview. Can you e-mail me your/his contact information? speaktobc@hotmail.com

Thanks!

ACSTEEL

If you are I might know someone.