Expansion ramblings

[V8Druid]

one thing that you could contemplate is a couple of older guys, like myself say, who would love a chance of a day out here and there, 'doing' ... as you need them .... they ain't gonna break records 'praps, but will know what they're doing (hopefully), enthuse them with decent rates and you will get back/reap what you sow .. Russ would have me four a five days a week, but I don't want a full time job ... happy to help when he's stuck, but he has a couple of other guys he calls on too -- if he calls me I know he wants / needs me ... plenty of guys about for just slinging steel up / general rigging ... not that many who can see/have seen things from the seat

 

[Bob]

I found my turnover as a chippy went up but by the end of the year my profit stayed the same So just had self empolyed mates help me out when needed

 

[DaveDCB]

Demand and having to turn down opportunities.

Ah this is easy then, put your prices up

 

[Furniss]

Ah this is easy then, put your prices up

Yeah but you know its not as easy as that if you've got ethics !!

 

[JD450A]

I'll put a post in members Lounge as it becomes a bit specific.

 

[V8Druid]

Yeah but you know its not as easy as that if you've got ethics !!

well demand is usually caused by a reputation ... if folk want you, they will be prepared to wait until you can 'fit them in' ...
don't turn down opportunities without explaining the score carefully first ..
" yes we can, but we have XXY lead time currently .. we'd be happy to allocate you a slot in the schedule, but it won't be for XXY+1-2 weeks. If you feel able to wait for us I will schedule your job in, but otherwise I'm sorry to say that we are unable to accommodate your project until that time "

 

[doobin]

Since I had a reshuffle and went back to working on my own, my belly's done nothing but expand with beer and fine food

Honestly, its a question I ponder regularly but for me, there's a huge dead space somewhere between 3 and 15 guys where the hassle doesn't outweigh the extra earnings. Over 15 or so I believe it starts to make financial sense again - probably because you can employ someone to sort the hassle!

This x100

 

[Storrsy]

I can barely organise myself so establishing and organising a team is far too stressful for me. Have an occasional bloke help me here and there but basically its a lifestyle for me- I'll leave the house when I'm good and ready and at the same time work into the evening if it means finishing up- having someone else is largely a hindrance and even though it can be a bit knackering jumping in and out of the cab all the time or jumping between digger and dumper I just like the flexibility that working solo affords me.
As for money. Could probably earn a bit more with someone else to be honest but I'm a control freak - can't trust anyone that they're doing the job I expect of them.

 

[Simon edwards]

I personally think the answer lies in how driven you are,expansion is easy if you have the enthusiasm ,as when you’re really fired up you will overcome any issue without even realising it most of the time,just get over it then run to the next issue,breakdown,meeting,argument,whatever!
I lived like this for many years running a very busy building company with my late dad,I loved pretty much every second of it,but it comes at a personal price sometimes.
We had some really good old school tradesman for years who new their jobs inside out,always turned in etc.
These days I would not want to be running large gangs of blokes but I know plenty who do sucessfully.
I now run 2 really good subbirs all the time and an occasional 70 something legend when I need him,works well as I have enough gear to split into two gangs when needed .
I would Sometimes like to downsize further,do a bit less,have more time to keep on top of maintenance etc.I think margins would be similar running 5 not ten machines,1 van not two ,less trailers,smaller yard etc.
I agree with others that keeping 2 or 3 guys going all the time can often be a headache as you have to repay their loyalty with a continuous stream of work that is sometimes not overly profitable whereas a one man band can be more choosy.
At the end of the day if you’ve got fire in your belly and see an opportunity just bloody go for it ,you never regret having had the balls to have a go.

 

[hiluxman]

well demand is usually caused by a reputation ... if folk want you, they will be prepared to wait until you can 'fit them in' ...
don't turn down opportunities without explaining the score carefully first ..
" yes we can, but we have XXY lead time currently .. we'd be happy to allocate you a slot in the schedule, but it won't be for XXY+1-2 weeks. If you feel able to wait for us I will schedule your job in, but otherwise I'm sorry to say that we are unable to accommodate your project until that time "

Then you get the numpty. Only this week had one want us for few days digger and dumper.

I said, we can do it but your at least 3 weeks away for it. Reply of yeah that's great book me in. So all arranged.

My mate then sends me a message, how come you not doing x job. My reply was 'we are, hes booked in in 3 weeks time...but obviously we aren't if your asking that'
My mate goes on to tell me he's got someone else there doing it 3 days after he's booked in with me.

Not a phone call or message to say 'im sorted elsewhere'. I'm not fussed for the work but then leaves you 3 days space when you could quite easily of pleased someone else.

Not decided on how much fun I'll have with the situation yet tho. Good job my mate lives over the road

 

[Furniss]

Its not about profit and not even ambition at this point - just about keeping people happy, exploring some other avenues that occasionally present themselves and perhaps sharing some of the organisation and graft..... wildly naive and optimistic !
Crack on

 

[JerryRtilt]

Its not about profit and not even ambition at this point - just about keeping people happy, exploring some other avenues that occasionally present themselves and perhaps sharing some of the organisation and graft..... wildly naive and optimistic !
Crack on

Doesn't look like anyone has "the" answer.
I hate saying no but I think I'm getting better at it, and being able to walk away from the jobs or customer's you can tell are going to be nothing but trouble is very satisfying I find..
Trouble is I think anyone who runs their own business usually does so because they want or wanted the opportunity to do to better, hence the difficulty in turning jobs away, there's always the thought that it could of be a good earner ?

 

[AHPP]

just keeping them busy, making sure they all had drg.s

That's very caring of you. Top boss.

 

[Giles]

That's very caring of you. Top boss.

Class A or b’s??

 

[pettsy]

I keep pondering the same thoughts. I’ve been on my own 10yrs, built a nice customer base pretty much from nothing and always have a steady stream of work. I’m getting close to Vat registration but don’t really see any benefit to that unless I expand which then means employing or training someone. The downside of being on my own is I shy away from the larger more exciting jobs as I don’t want to end up holding other trades up or being rushed. A few years ago I did a couple of weeks here and there in the summer helping a mate with some groundworks and really enjoyed a change of scenery, but there aren’t many you can do that with.

 

[AHPP]

Class A or b’s??

I'm sure there's a similar one for welds.

 

[V8Druid]

That's very caring of you. Top boss.

Class A or b’s??

not a typo yer buggers ... drg.s = an abbreviation for DRAWINGS

 

[Left hooker]

More these thoughts like above posts say the more appealing the idig 3d is looking mark stuff out yourself and drop receiver on machine and dig to the setting out you have prepared no need for anyone

 

[Simon edwards]

Definitely the way forward,problem is I can barely operate my phone,could be disastrous for me!

 

[Canal Navvy]

I get real cravings for good drg.s ...... the ones I get usually mess with my mind