If i did that, I'd be scared to end up like them...with no work!
I really did not come from a contractor/construction back ground though. I was raised in the restaurant business and got into construction from the real estate business. So I tend to have a different approach to things.
I try to control the "controllable s" or the controllable expenses rather than increase revenue. I'd rather make 40k off 10 jobs, than make 40k off 40 jobs because it's easier to keep 10 jobs booked in advance than 40 jobs.
When you start doing that kind of volume, you take more risk, you need more equipment, more vehicles, bigger insurance policy, probably a store front, a ware house, ext ext ext ext. All is great if you want to live off a 2 million dollar line of credit, but I like to pay cash, finance little, and have very little over head. If **** hits the fan, I'll go fishing and sleep at night!
I'd be willing to take more risk if home builders still called and just wanted that 50 square put down next week, and price did not matter.
I think I just have to consider more employee turn over to find those good ones, instead of trying to mould each one into that ideal employee.
I really feel it's not about money either. I always busted my ass, and it was to impress my boss, impress the other people I work with, it was not to get a raise, it was cause I took pride in my work and wanted that to be recognized. The money mattered, but it was not the real reason. You have to find people pleasers, people looking for top dollar will always be job hoppers, they will perform, but only until someone else offers them more.
What season? Why not bid jobs all year. Expand, you learn more that way.
If and When I move out your way, I'll be looking you up for work.
Or, like you said, and like everyone else does.....just hire a bunch of monkeys and only do estimates.