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I feel like I failed...

3K views 34 replies 18 participants last post by  Inner10 
#1 · (Edited)
But I dont think I should.

I've been working on the designer shingle job I signed a couple of months ago.

I was about a week and a half late getting started because of my fall. I couldn't do much for about 3 weeks.

My tear off crew has been M.I.A. for the last week.

My main guy has an attendance/ tardy issue and I ended up giving him a week off because of it during the project

We have lost about 6 days to rain I think this month.

The 2ply shingles are not cooperating. They are getting brittle, cracking, and breaking.

I have a schedule full of projects that need completed


So I came to the conclusion that I needed to reach a stopping point on this project. Not try to force something that is obviously getting the better of me at this moment...something bad ALWAYS happens when I do.

So I talked to my customer and he was super understanding and agreed that if I'm not feeling it, that I shouldn't force it and he is ok with having a mismatched roof for the winter. Nor any problems with paying me for work completed up to this point.

I know I am doing the right thing stopping for the season but I just can't shake the feeling I failed.

There is only 14/15 sq to go but it is a messed up 14/15 sq...lot of room for error
 
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#6 ·
Thanks guys. I know I set a high bar and have high expectations. I'm just not used to not at least coming in close to them.

I've never been in the position to have to have that conversation with my customer before and I feel like I let him down even though he was smiling and making jokes through the whole conversation.

He said he is glad he can reclaim his driveway....lol
I've had my dump trailer and tool trailer there for a month.

I guess a good way to look at it is money in the bank and my first job of spring is scheduled. Lol
 
#14 ·
I missed the story about your fall. Best for a good recovery.



When one is out of time and the days are getting short and cold, that job doesn't help.
I slipped off a ladder with my feet being about 8' above the sidewalk. Landed on my heel. Was about 6 weeks ago.

Still gets sore about 6 hours into the day. Bearable though
 
#24 ·
Andy, this is just my personal observation and I suck with business so take it for what it's worth. What about some type of business manager or management plan?

I feel like you are kinda stuck in between two business models and really gotta commit to one because you grow a little but take a step back at the same time. That's a big roof bro. If you wanna do that thing, then do it, and stop being the guy the business depends on to make sure the work is done. Manage that ***** and dont step foot on it with a nailgun.

Then theres the other side, if you want maximum flexibility, do that and commit to it. You wont get the big jobs, you have to go after max profitable ones. Things like intricate flashing that no one else does right and charge through the nose.

You're too good to chase these other cats down and make sure they're working next to you cause you get left footing the bill for them and trying to make up for it with your work ethic. You're a baller, you've earned that moniker, so be who you are.:thumbsup:
 
#25 ·
Problem with this roof is you don't let low skill touch it without oversight. Andy, as good as he is, still needed to give it his best work on the beast. I have no idea how many people in the area could lay those as good as he does, but they'd be pricey, and Andy NEEDS to say he can lay these like a pro. This job will add to his reputation, and even more so when he puts his own hands on it.

Hopefully he can lay the same shingles in the spring on a different house for a client of mine. That house will be easy compared to this one.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
#26 ·
Agreed. Then make that the business plan.

That he will be the go-to guy for these things. The thing I have been guilty of in the past is doing something incredibly difficult and not sticking to my guns of why I cost so much more. It took a while (until I worked for a wood company for a year) to realize I had to charge a lot more for competance in complex situations.

There was a roofer on here who was a straight up killer in knowledge. He charged out the ass and should have. He was one of the guys I paid attention to and it seems like Andy could become that guy. Andy tore the roof off my house, hes a murderer when it comes to work and is incredibly knowledgeable.

Just know what this step is, is all I'm saying. Dont do it just to do it. I did that for a while with decks and never really planned it out, turns out my love was in the woodworking side (design and build) and when I focused on that in 2012 I started to turn a corner.

Guys like Andy always seem like they'll make it, but he should kill it because his intellectual knowledge is worth so much more than his physical presence. All I was saying was if this is a stepping stone, know where the path leads...
 
#29 ·
Well Rob, I think I hear what you are saying, it has been on my mind actually. I really want to step back and do more managing. My issue is trusting other people to put out the quality I sell.

My pitch is ...
"I'm a roofer not a salesman and I am the guy who is going to be doing most of the install."
So I kind of have to be installing.

Last year I fixed a couple 20 year leaks that many, many roofers before me couldn't fix. I charged a lot for those too. This project was also not cheap...it is my biggest dollar residential project by a wide percentage.

I've also been considering seeing about getting a job I am not sure exists.

Some kind of middle management position where I could do some sales, some production managing, and be the one to actually do some of the more complex parts of some installs. All this without having to own the company and the stress associated with that.....that's a LOT to hope for in a job though.


I feel a lot better about it today. Customer is glad to have his driveway back, I only need an hour or two to finish buttoning things up for the winter, and we can get back on schedule here pretty quick.
 
#30 ·
Create that position.

You can. I've seen you're operation and I'd buy in within a heartbeat if I knew you were taking on the complex side and letting monkeys do the other stuff. Then find out where you want to be and wean yourself off the other stuff you find you dont like.

Bro, you dont give yourself the credit you deserve. Your biggest problem seems to be you want to be all things to all people, that's a helluva a sales trait. You also are damn good at the physical side. Helluva an installer trait. You also have an intellectual property in how to install... that's priceless.

I cant tell you how to use them, but use them. I sucked at business so I just do woodworking and can make a living doing it. Once I realized I dont do anything else that well, I ipso facto became decent at business because people have set their expectations of me. You're a better hustler (not in a bad way) so it's probably a bit more difficult to figure out where you should be.

Just my .02 which is worth about a penny so take it for what it's worth.
 
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