David G.
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| 30 Oct 2008 11:08 AM |
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At the time of my last post here we had a full plate. We just completed the last of our bigger jobs load and are doing some of the smaller projects. I was just trying to get a handle on what move to make next to get through the winter if no big jobs came our way, maybe a lean winter after all? Then the phone starts ringing, remember the crab boat I posted on? the skipper wants all the window/potholes done with SS like the other 2 we did as an experement to combat iceing and distruction. He also wants the wheel house remodled. SS on the console. Should be fun! Lots of other jobs comin in too. Whew! a releif for sure. Diversity is paying off. |
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DON"T LET WILDLIFE RUN RAMPANT! (Walter Hickel)
david1062"at"gmail.com |
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revans1
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| 30 Oct 2008 09:42 PM |
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I've never posted in this section before, and I haven't kept up fully with this thread. I'm not in your business....just an interloper on this board who became the guest who wouldn't leave. Nevertheless, I thought of you guys when I read this article. In short, nearly half the mortgaged homes in Nevada, California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Michigan are underwater (owe more than the value). Those states have 60% of all such homes in the country. Everywhere else, it's only about one out of ten. My guess is that this situation is particularly bad for anyone in any part of the remodeling-type business, since people are probably less interested, even if they are financially capable, of putting more money into a house that is already worth less than the debt they carry on it. So, maybe really bad news for folks in those states, and maybe not so bad for everyone else. Just thought I'd provide the link, if it is of interest. |
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Randy
The Hold Steady is the best band in America! |
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Tom M
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| 30 Oct 2008 10:04 PM |
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Randy,
I'm sure you've said before, but what is your occupation?
You are family by now, so don't worry about the interloper thingy.
Thanks for the link and yes, it is slow in many places. We are fortunate in that we have a couple of decent commercial jobs, but there's always a lag in dough when you switch from more residential (where by agreement you are usually paid by job's end) and commercial (where it takes from 15 to 90 days, sometimes up to a year on a bonded job).
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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revans1
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| 30 Oct 2008 10:20 PM |
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Thanks, Tom. I work for a very large insurance company. The people in my department train and support claim adjusters, for both automobile and property (mainly homeowner's) claims. We do both systems training and support, as well as more procedural and compliance-related items. And, we get very involved setting up temporary locations and logistical support when a catastrophe (from a hailstorm to a hurricane) creates lots of claims in a single geographic area.
Wow, as I read back over that, it sounds just as boring as hell.
Actually, my 9-5 job in a windowless office is just a cover. I'm really an international hitman, with a side business as a massage therapist for overstressed supermodels. Don't tell anybody. |
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Randy
The Hold Steady is the best band in America! |
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David G.
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| 31 Oct 2008 01:39 AM |
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Geeze Tom, you post make me want to steer clear of commercial. 90 days to get paid? maybe even a year? What sort of interest would you charge on that kind of duration? I have more work to do on the state fish and game vessel, they pay within 30 days. Not bad so I hear for a gov. job. |
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DON"T LET WILDLIFE RUN RAMPANT! (Walter Hickel)
david1062"at"gmail.com |
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Tom M
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| 31 Oct 2008 08:01 AM |
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David, that's why we try to not work directly with the GC. More of our wholesale commercial goes to arch. millwork outfits, and you will likely get paid 45 - 60. GC's will try to get away with whatever they can.
You can't service charge on most of the direct to GC jobs. Well, you can, but they won't pay it. |
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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David G.
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| 09 Dec 2008 09:19 PM |
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All, I have been wanting to resurrect this thread to see hows things amoungst us.
As you my have noticed I haven't been around much. I went on a hunting trip with my brother to hang with another brother in Minn.
Prior to that we were working 7 days a week and long days. We had some work waiting when we got home but I sure didn't expect all that came onto our lap and continues to. On returning we hit the ground running and haven't stopped. I have been re doing the wheel house of the crabber "Kustatan" Pics soon)
I don't understand why but we have had lots of bids and getting them.
We do lots of Hi-Macs and some of thier promotions have really aided our sales.
By keeping diverse with cabinet work in addition to laminate and SS I think we are going to get through the winter. With our fuel prices of 3.00 pr gal we are very greateful.
This morn I learned that the Exxon checks have been going into direct deposit around AK to the plaintives in that class action suit. Hopefully it will be a shot in the arm to some of my fellow AK fabricators.
For now we are very busy but for how long?. I hope you are all hanggin in there. If things dry up we figure we can fall back on our carpentry skills, there are lots of houses out there and they all need something...right?
My best to all of you and your loyal and dedicated employees. We will get through it.
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DON"T LET WILDLIFE RUN RAMPANT! (Walter Hickel)
david1062"at"gmail.com |
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Matt Kraft
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| 10 Dec 2008 06:19 AM |
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Things had picked up around here before Thanksgiving, but have died since then. We are installing every day this week, but the truck looks to be parked a couple days next week.
I'm just trying to figure out how to make sure I get everybody their hours leading up to our holiday shutdown.
Looks like we are taking a half day on the 23rd for our little party, paid holidays 24th, 25th, and 1st. Giving everyone unpaid days off 26th-31st as well as Jan 2nd.
Be back Jan 5th. Hopefully, there will be some orders waiting for us. |
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| "It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...." |
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Jon Olson
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| 10 Dec 2008 07:13 AM |
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We are still steady here.
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| Building Bridges.
www.sterlingsurfaces.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlingsurfaces/sets/72157600265050765
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Tom M
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| 10 Dec 2008 08:31 AM |
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Looking for more here. Been doing okay with commercial. Residential is slightly better, but not by much.
If the commercial goes... not good. |
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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Andy
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| 10 Dec 2008 11:51 AM |
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I think it is the unknowing if there is going to work that is the stresser. We have stayed busy, but you continually wonder what's around the corner.
Be grateful for whatever you have. There's lots of people doing absolutely nothing.
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Kelsey Crisp
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| 10 Dec 2008 07:20 PM |
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I am going nuts here. When the market crashed, my replacement tops went nuts! I guess people are fixing up instaed of buying around here...
Not sure what 2009 will bring?? Looks like it is slowing here |
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| Yep.... I said the Dow will go to 6000 |
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Norm Walters
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| 10 Dec 2008 07:55 PM |
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OK... News on this Forum... It has just been established
Kelsey Crisp is going Nuts
Sorry Kelsey, couldn't resist. |
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Norm
www.normwaltersconstruction.com |
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Gene McDonald
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| 11 Dec 2008 04:49 AM |
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Thanx Norm for taking care of Kelsey for diagnosing me on the other thread   all jokes aside, I hope everyone does well...i am real busy now and might have even took on a lttle more than I can handle....now i see the design contest is here and now I dont have the time to make all the stuff i wanted to....jeez...now i hafta work the weekend  i also took on the cabinets too to these bamboo Kitchens is probaly why i feel busy....too many cabinet shops were stealing my CT deals....Oh miss such and such...we can do your CT for you for a lowr price..and we give free backsplshes , its better to buy the tops from us cause we do the cabinets and can match it up here.and yada yada yada so now I decide who does the cabinets if its a kitchen set im not interested in I'll do the cabinets if they are Solid surface or bamboo or some other expensive reason..but then I can choose the cabinet job to refer the cabinets too this year I learned, learned , learned  |
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www.gotgreencountertops.com
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Wags
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| 11 Dec 2008 07:30 AM |
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We had a fairly large granite fabricator close their doors this week. They happen to also be the cambria fabricator. As we got information from their customers, it was appearant they were buying the market. They were 10% to 20% below where they needed to be to keep their doors open. Remember, that for every 10% discount you give you need to do about 30% more work to make the same $$. Its very easy to cut your price to get "this" job. Price what you need to to keep in business, there will always be someone cheaper, so sell your quality and service.
I learned early on that most of the things I worried about I had no control over. If you have no control over it, there is no purpose served by worring. Somehow we always keep busy, sometimes just cleaning the shop. The early 80's were worse than today in my opinion. Inflation was running 12% to 13%. Mortgage rates were 13%, and unemployment was 10%. Constrution loans were over 20%. We took whatever jobs we could, no matter of size. Those that survive the current situation will be stronger on the other side. This too shall pass. |
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Gene McDonald
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| 11 Dec 2008 11:40 AM |
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GReat positvity Wags...awesome points to ponder...its like that saying Sunshine everyday makes a desert!!!! |
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www.gotgreencountertops.com
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Mike Gladstone
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| 11 Dec 2008 03:29 PM |
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Mike G
GCI Solid Surface Countertops |
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Johnny C
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| 11 Dec 2008 05:05 PM |
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November was very busy. December, solid until Christmas. So far, January is 20% booked.
Johnny C |
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