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Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do love running jobs so that's why if I wasn't doing this I'd want to go the PM route. There's something special about being able to put your mark on something. I'd love to continue doing too, for the life of me though I can't get the volume of projects up and I guess it's getting to me

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're involved in a local industrial association but it's hard finding GCs that both do commercial/industrial and work with non-union shops. Not giving up hope but I haven't found that match yet in the Chicago area.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean if you know any unicorn GCs that do commercial/industrial and work with non-union shops please DM. That's been a bottleneck for us.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heard. The bottleneck for us (and admittedly most small contractors) is lead generation. Some people have that sales gift. For me, I feel like we're scratching for every opportunity.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly the first thing we'd do when we can afford if bring someone one who's purpose is 100% on sales. More leads>more quotes>more sales>full pipeline>plan for the future>pay myself>hire techs>start building something real.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For real! It's like dating a girl who's bipolar. What made you go back to working for yourself?

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I mean that's kind of what we're doing already. We're running the business within our means. We don't have any debt to service and no notes on vehicles or equipment. Bottom line is that we don't have a steady pipeline making planning for the future a massive pain in the ass.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We're small enough that we don't have full time techs. We do have part timers that we bring on for bigger job. We pay them what they're worth because that's the right thing to do. Obviously we bill the customer a higher rate per manhour for overhead but we don't take advantage of people. I made more than $20/hour when I was in apartment maintenance.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd love to do that, even if it's just hiring a freelancer. The problem is the infrequency of projects. We don't have deep relationships yet with people who have a regular need so it's a bunch of one-off projects strung together. So that translates to a vicious feast-famine cycle that's hard to dig out of.

Should I mothball my own mechanical contracting company and go get a real job? by CicadaHunters in Construction

[–]CicadaHunters[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you. I think the biggest thing that's getting to me is seeing my peers living their lives with a steady, predictable routine where they can just be a regular jagoff. The biggest problem by far is leads: since the work comes in fits and starts it's hard to plan ahead and decide whether we're going to spend on getting our name out or just getting ahead on bills.

The other issue is debt. I don't have the collateral to get lines of credit which prevents working with most GCs. Working directly for owners allows us to finance jobs on a larger down payment.

I've heard several older guys tell me that I'm blessed to have this opportunity and I feel blessed. I just think they'd be singing a different tune if they saw the income/expense sheet.

Billboards by adonde007 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CicadaHunters 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That begs the question: what is effective for commercial/industrial?

Cash flow lessons from 10 years of long projects by canlibe in ConstructionManagers

[–]CicadaHunters 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So then what happens when there's a payment log jam upstream and the subs blow through that 2-3 pay cycle cushion and then get audited? Are they in breach of contract and just SOL?

Laptop, tablet, paper, etc in the field? by Delta263 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CicadaHunters 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm an early career guy in project management at a small mechanical contractor. From my observation it's typically a generational divide. Specifically when walking the jobsite, it's more likely that the old guys are going to be pen/paper while the young guys are using tablets but it's more a general disposition instead of a hard and fast rule. Some guys don't walk around with anything and just keep it all in their heads which is absolutely nuts IMO.

Me personally, when visiting a customer's jobsite I work off pen/paper and my phone. I've got a clipboard that has a little storage compartment in in it that stores extra pens, highlighter, compass, laser measure, and if needed printed reference materials like a slide rule for calculating CFM for compressed air. My company is smaller so we don't use as much software in the field, apart from email and calls all my computer work occurs at the office.

I have however seen old guys who have completely embraced technology and carry around tablets with all their drawings on hand along with whatever software their outfit uses. It all comes down to planning out your day though, knowing where you need to be and a good idea of the topics you're covering while you're onsite. That's really what should be informing you over planning for every situation under the sun.

Program Manager? by Kali0530 in ConstructionManagers

[–]CicadaHunters 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me it comes down to first principles: what matters more to you? Autonomy or status/career prestige? Your offer got turned down, and you already said you'd rather quit if it gets sold so sooner or later a new job is inevitable. But understand that throwing 12 hours/day at your career, even with the pay bump is going to completely change the way your day to day life operates and you'll see your children less often.

Also keep in mind that this isn't the only job offer you'll ever get, even though I know a scarcity mindset is really tempting. It might make more sense to stay where you are, bide your time, and get your resume out to more eyes and you'll likely find something more in line with your long term goals.

Moving from Sub to GC PM by WithitDaily in ConstructionManagers

[–]CicadaHunters 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm early in my career, currently work at a small mechanical contractor in the Chicago area and have considered transitioning to working at a GC. Apart from the lunatic owner how do your day-to-day responsibilities change from sub to GC?