My revenue has grown 20 percent a year for the last six years. Largely due to what I learned here. The first fours years of contracting I lost money; didnt know it at the time. Then I joined ct.

 

I'm curions but how did you lose money? I have not lost money on any of my jobs yet. I've made enough to grow a little bit. The only thing preventing me from expanding faster is the frequency of jobs.

I've got a laminate job for this month. Bids been accepted. After taxes and materials I'llmake $3000 in 4 days of work...

 

Some guys figure they "lost" money when/if they don't complete the job in their estimated time frame.
Instead of making an certain "hourly" rate, because the job took them longer, they are working at a lesser hourly rate and therefore lost money.

 

Expenses and taxes exceed revenue. Deficiency made up for with credit cards = lost money.

Or looking at it another way; if youre net worth is decreasing every year you are losing money. If its increasing youre profiting.

 

You will know you are a finish carpenter when you can scribe into a 10,000 dollar custom shop built piece or live edge countertop slab that didn't quite fit in the field like was intended. Sure your a-hole will pucker but you will do it anyway with not much fear. Then you will know you made it. Sure you may screw something up. We all do some of us just know how to hide it.

 

This one required thought, but yes, there's always some puckering involved until confidence kicks in.

Service Exceeding Expectation

 

I agree with people that state, start out with framing. To me a good finishing carpenter, is also a good carpenter all around.

I've worked along side some "trim" guys that hand drive 3" casing nails or spikes like they're a shoemaker.

You're practices and eye for detail are what set you apart from the next guy. It shows immensely when you care about what you do, and have put time/effort into being the best you can be.

 

Defenstrate @ 31: I should have wrote ," you'll need at least average luck to turn a profit as an average businessman.... Those who start a business during the recession phase are mostly doomed....

The failure rate at succeeding at a profitable business is much higher then becoming a mastercraftworker

Some Crafts are currently given away to illegal alien workers, such as dry walling, concrete & unit masonry, meat packing etc.... Mastering these is like learning how to pick cotton in the Pre-war Slave States, It didn't pay much and or earn much respect.

 

Your quickest path to your goals (no matter in what arena they may be) is to not give a seconds thought to the nay sayers. Asking others how or what they did or did not do,while entertaining,truly has little impact on you unless you allow their reality become your reality.



Many,many, years ago,I was fortunate enough to be privy to a round table discussion led by a very wise and very successful commercial and industrial real estate broker / developer. In that conversation,he said "ask any three people who are struggling to get the rent money together for their apartment rent ,any question on any topic. Then ask any three people who own three or more shopping centers of a million square feet or more each the very same question and I guarantee you will get completely different answers from each group."



Bottom line,do not let others life experiences influence yours unless that is the reality you want to create for yourself. Always look at the glass and see it half full,not half empty.Look towards what you want and turn a blind eye to what you do not want.Like Rocky said "keep your eye on the prize"

 

Tipi logic time. Someone bring in the translator.

I do a lot of trim and occasionally frame so I'm only stupid and lazy most of the time.

 

3 years and 3 companies and you think that experience represents the industry as a whole? You're delusional.

 

Tiptop if you are the best at crown and crown is part of trim doesn't that make you the biggest hack

 

You guys. Please stop.

 

I hope someday to achieve tiptop's level of...

Tom

 

I think to be a good finish carpenter you have to have a full understanding of building in general. I very rarely use subs, we design it we lay it out we frame it we sheetrock it(sometimes) we finish it inside and out and have been since I started. I think that's what made me a good at finish work. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

I think that's somewhat true of every trade. If you have an understanding of what came before you and what comes after you, it will make you a better contractor. The more mindful you are to the next guy in line, the better.

 

FJN: visit the site when the rock is hung but not taped---The triangle closures tell all that there are very few 90 degree corners in Boot Land.

The concrete workers don't shim the pans on the footers, or check anything after the truck leaves. The framers don't shim the plates or fix the out of square foundation = crooked house...

I had the Joy of laying brick on a turd that had a 2" deep puddle of water in the living-room an the the double front door was installed almost 3/4" out of plumb. The GC said, "brick it, its paid for"

If you want to use a crappy out of level foundation, at least use an old style mud sill to eliminate most of the out of level conditions.

 

Speaking of pocket doors, for one of my builders we build the frames ourself and install at framing

Service Exceeding Expectation

 

Speaking of pocket doors, for one of my builders we build the frames ourself and install at framing

Very nice.

What track is that?

 

^^^

That ain't moving at all. Looks good.

 

About visiting place before sheetrock I do that too. I even put in one of my CL add would wish to visit project before sheetrock is on.

 

Ive been a finish carpenter exclusively for 6 years and it is not for most people, in only that short time ive seen so many guys come and not be able to cut it.if you want to to only do finish i suggest only working on high end jobs. This niche will always provide consistent work given you make the right connections. Just be aware and pay attention! Layout will be the majority of your time. I suggest finding a cabinent shop or custom millwork shops. I started as an apprentice after doing a 3 year general apprenticeship so it only took me a year of grunt work and getting my bearings before i was considered a journeyman. We mainly did the highest end jobs in sf/bay area. (Our avg HO paid 12mil and dem0s everything). I will say what i feel sperated myself from ppl who couldnt cut it is i make sure to learn something new each day. Pay attention to the old guys, they know all tthe best tricks and if they. See you want to learn youll be golden/ just dont **** things ive seen guys slip on a drill or screwdriver that knicks a 1off custom hinge or other hardware and it either costs them 300$ or their. Job. Good luck! And remember to have fun!