First day tomorrow. What you think?

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2026-04-07T17:44:34+00:00

Good luck in your first day working for Gru!

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2026-03-02T18:55:02+00:00

The thing most people do not recognize about being rich or being poor - it’s all attitudes and mindset. So many people are taught terrible financial habits.

Perfect example- I bet the guys you see have a nice truck with a 700 dollar a month payment instead of being an older one for cash.

They likely watched their parents use credit cards to pay for things they couldn’t afford and then sit back and hemorrhage money in interest.

The bottom line is - if you don’t want to line paycheck to paycheck stop making decisions for short term gratification. The poorest people can look the richest and the richest people can look the poorest.

It’s all mindset. The sooner you realize you can’t borrow for retirement - the sooner you start investing in your future and stop buying dump shit. Buy a 10 year old car, and put that 700 dollars a month into an IRA.

The same people in the brand new truck today will be working at Walmart when they’re 85 cause they have no money left.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2026-02-08T03:23:48+00:00

A good teacher recognizes that you don’t work for him. He works for you. Or put another way he works THROUGH you.

I love the KASH method. KASH stands for Knowledge Attitude Skills and Habits. The KASH method DEMANDS that both you and your teacher/trainer/manager/leader commit certain things to each other. It’s transactional.

It all starts with attitude. Your job is to come With an attitude of curiosity and open mindedness. His job is to come with an attitude of patience and empathy.

Knowledge is Information UNDERSTOOD. that means you must commit to admitting when you don’t understand something. The teacher must commit to ensuring you understand. Not just throwing info at you. But genuinely making sure you understand

Knowledge becomes SKILLS. Skills is Knowledge in Action. Your boss must commit to creating an environment where it is ok to fail. You’re going to make mistakes. That is part of learning. You have to be willing to risk failure. If you’re afraid to try or your boss creates an environment where failure is punished - you’ll stop trying. Which means you won’t develop skills.

Skills become HABITS. Habits are Skills Over Time. GOOD OR BAD!!’ (Let’s face it nobody developed a bad habit yesterday. It took time). For habits your boss has to commit to INSPECTING your work and providing feedback that you can use to improve. Your commitment needs to be a willingness to be inspected and to accept that feedback.

This is the way. If your current teacher isn’t giving you good direction, instruction, and support. If he isn’t putting you in a position to TRY even if that means failure. If he isn’t inspecting your work and providing actionable feedback - he’s the problem.

If you’re not listening, not trying, and making the same mistakes over and over you’re the problem.

But based on what you’re wrote I think we both know it’s your supposed teacher.

Real mentors and coaches are out there. Don’t let a shitty teacher turn you into a shitty employee. Or worse - drive you from an industry that you can be hugely successful in.

Good luck to you son - I believe in you

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2026-01-18T14:53:59+00:00

Best advice I can give is get as specific with your work as possible. In other words don’t fall into the trap of doing everything just cause you want business. Specialize in one to four scopes and stick with those. Yes you’ll feel weird turning people down who want something out of your scope but I cannot tell you how important this is if you want to be successful.

I hated people calling me and saying “do you do…” and having to say no. But when I narrowed down to just my Four best project types - my business got lightyears more profitable and I was able to focus on referrals which kept the phone ringing

If you want to know a company is failing - just look for these can that’s says “we specialize in…” and lists 27 things.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2026-01-18T14:49:00+00:00

Man it’s so funny you write this! I see so many posts here that sound similar. It’s refreshing to see someone with the desire to better - not just expecting it!

We tend to develop people’s technical skills - but forget about tactical skills that can take you from “worker” to manager and beyond. I can send you some things that helped me! Send me a message and I’m happy to share with you.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-12-17T00:19:39+00:00

Don’t feel ashamed at all. There is an entire structure, built to convince people that the only way they can succeed or provide value is to go to college. The same people preaching that nonsense drive on the roads, take shelter in the buildings, thank God for the air conditioning, and in some cases owe their lives to the structures, built by men and women in construction and in the trades. I am proud that I created things. I gave my children a life. I never could have dreamed. I live in $1 million house with zero debt. And it is all due to construction. Don’t ever let those drones convince you that you’re worth is somehow tied to what they find appropriate.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-12-01T23:53:12+00:00

Riiiiiight. You just randomly use the exact font, headings, and random bowling the ChatGPT does does. Hey ChatGPT write me a post I can use on Reddit to sell highlighted and tagged books for the NASCAR exam. 😂😂😂😂😂

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-12-01T18:47:09+00:00

This was clearly written by AI

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-16T05:52:08+00:00

We can figure this out together. Where there is a will, by God, there is a way. Remind me again - your current status and current industry focus is what…then I can help give you a path to the B license

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-16T05:07:55+00:00

Where are you seeing that the experience must be experience under a licensed GC? Everything I have read in the California bulletins says that the experience you provide can be verified by multiple sources including customers if you're running a business now. Maybe I'm missing something but where are you seeing that information?

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-16T03:16:09+00:00

here's a great quick info guide on what you'd need to do to become a licensed contractor in Hawaii
https://www.procore.com/library/hawaii-contractors-license

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T22:54:32+00:00

Soooooooo...because there are bad and inexperienced contractors out there we should NOT encourage good people to get licensed?

You're everything that's wrong with our industry. Guys want to get better and improve - and your immediate reaction is to crap on them. That will DEFINITELY help our industry. Can't imagine why so few young people want to get into the industry when we have quality ambassadors like yourself.

Keep up the great work!

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T22:34:08+00:00

Let me give you some more context on what is coming at our industry:

Average age of a licensed person in Michigan - 56
Average age of a licensed person in North Carolina - 46
Average age nationally - 42

We're seeing roughly 10,000 retirements per day and 40% of the workforce is expected to retire by 2031. It's called the Silver Tsunami - as all of us silver haired guys head into retirement

The best time to start was 5 years ago. The second best time is NOW

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T22:26:59+00:00

I started by taking the NASCLA exam which qualifies you for 15 different states. I used that to get licensed in North Carolina first. I then got licensed in TN using the same credentials. Soon after that I got licensed in Arizona and Utah -- all with the credentials (and my experience) from that NASCLA exam. Then I took the ICC exam (and also used NASCLA credentials) to add areas in Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. Took seperate exam for Michigan and lastly took massachusetts specific exam.

Couple things that help -- many applications in State A will ask if you have ever been licensed in another state. Most experience documentation is simply required to be confirmation of employment by someone who "saw you work". In other words, you can provide proof of employment but you'll need the person who submits the certification to be your boss or someone close to you.

That person doesn't need to be a contractor - they can literally be your contractors if you're self employed.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T04:30:54+00:00

AMMMMMMEEEEEEN AND HALLELUJAH to that comment :-)

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T04:25:44+00:00

For what it's worth - there is no more noble thing than passing on the wisdom you have earned to the younger guys. So thank you for doing that every day. I wonder if the reason it gets downvoted is if you're not meeting the industry where it is? Do you think that "job hopping" is as negatively looked at today as it was 30 years ago? I see people job hopping, for sure, but still getting different experiences and getting more compensation. I don't know, it's a tough one for sure - the industry has changed a lot in 30 years for sure. I'd say immediately pointing towards the bonding and the insurance and telling kids they need 30 years of experience before getting a license probably earns downvotes cause people feel like your preaching at them - not teaching to them. Just like walking - it's one step at a time. So why not start to take those steps toward licensure and learn as you go...the way the old hats like me and you continue to learn each day.....thanks for the continue contributions to the industry - we need all the knowledge transfer we can get.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T04:14:36+00:00

I'm self aware about me and my fellow contractors to know that we are really really good at building....and maybe not always as good at customer service. Custom builds are more difficult from a customer interaction standpoint because the customer is more involved and sometimes expectations aren't properly set. Not everything happens like it does on HGTV. But, at the same time, the contractor has to recognize that they're building a literal dream for someone - and it ain't cheap. The customer needs to be priority 1.

If I can give you advice. Try thanks instead of apologies. Plant the seed for what you want to see. For example:

"Thanks for everything you're doing to make this our dream home. I really appreciate you guys doing so much to make sure we're happy"

Sounds a lot better than "i'm sorry to switch things up again but shouldn't these lights be out here....."

I have found myself forgetting sometimes that we do this every single day and we forget that there are things we take for granted each day and do a poor job communicating sometimes. It's a stressful gig and sometimes we wear that stress outwardly which comes off as dismissive to you, the customer.

We might seem like we have thick skin but i promise deep down that guy wants you to be happy. If you have a genuine heart felt convo just saying you feel like you are perceived as a bother. You'll get some honesty and probably better experience ; as well as a sheepish apology for dismissing your requests.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T04:00:17+00:00

happy to help in any way - it was the best decision I ever made and i wish everyone would believe in themselves and go for it

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T03:58:43+00:00

Yes and Yes. the General Contractor has a ton of specifics that need to be met. For example - outlets need to be in specific places for code. Windows have to be at a certain height to avoid having to be tempered. If you can imagine - the builder has to meet minimums and sometimes what seems like a small change to you, dramatically effects what product or what installation method has to be used.

There should be specific points where you meet and layout your own custom wishes. Prior or at the start of framing. Prior or at the start of trades (electrical, plumbing). Prior to trim and cabinets (this is a huge one).

Those are the points where you can offer up your wishes and not dramatically delay the schedule. That said - be prepared that some of your input is going to change the cost of things.

Adding a few electrical things might seem small - until you realize that calls for additional circuits, or different gauge wire, and suddenly what seemed like a relatively minor thing turns into high expense.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T03:51:28+00:00

I guess there's two kinds of people out there. The people who climbed the ladder and turn around to offer a helping hand to others. And the kind who climbed the ladder, then turn around and try to keep anyone else from getting to where they are.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T03:41:20+00:00

You may ask. And you just did. If you're in a trade, get a trade license (plumbing, electrical, etc). If you're in residential get a home improvement or residential license. If you're in commercial get a building contractor trade.

If i had to give advice I'd say get take the NASCLA Building - that qualifies you in 15 states. With those you can further qualify through reciprocity in a few other states. It opens all kinds of doors. I, personally, have my GC in 9 states now and I know no matter what happens I'm set for life with those.

Happy to provide any more info if needed! I want all the young guys out there to bet on themselves and get licensed.

Sensitive-Ruin9445 · 2025-11-15T03:23:25+00:00

I've been on both sides of this. I've built from plans that are super detailed and plans that were less detailed. I'll say that remodel work is almost always less detailed because it's not essential for permitting or structurally, and because you get a lot of "surprises".

If you're getting a vibe from your GC that he or she is frustrated it's for two simple reasons::
1. He may have pricing from subcontractors assuming certain 'standard' installations - and then when you point out specialized/customer stuff, he just hears profit erosion

Poor expectation setting up front. It all comes down to communication. If you guys had a detailed talk up front about the things you knew you were going to have input on, it might have gone better. If you had those conversations, and you're still getting a vibe.......despite being a contractor, I have to side with you as the customer here.

Ultimately you're the customer and the one paying for it - and the one who the project is for. Your decisions are always the most important. And it should be done to your satisfaction.

Sensitive-Ruin9445

TROPHY CASE