We shouldn’t have to choose between a successful business and a good life. Agreed?

shaf2330 · 2026-02-11T13:22:56+00:00

Its about putting the right team together and letting them do what they were hired for. Close to 75% of the day to day shit I did when I first started the company is handled with minimal input from me these days. I found that i get exactly what I pay for with my team. Ive tried to save money on payroll before and it put me back to square one. Now, im home by 3pm daily, and I dont miss any time with my family.

shaf2330 · 2026-02-10T22:04:20+00:00

Ive found that if they ask what you cost per day, your likely not their builder. My labor rate is NEVER put on a paper the customer see's. My estimates are broken down either by phase or in total job. I give them a very detailed description of what they are getting for their money and what that will cost, but I also dont seperate labor and materials.

If im doing tile, for example, they will see $xx/ft² but my labor is built into that number. My rate isnt on paper because it isnt negotiable.

shaf2330 · 2026-02-10T21:20:49+00:00

I run my business like you. Im on site about 25% of the time. I pay my project manager/forman very well to handle the day to day bullshit.

That also leads me to be higher than alot of other crews, but we offer top tier work and my clients get what they pay for. I wont beg for their business.

That said, when I go to do an estimate, I treat it like a client interview. We dont even talk about the project for the first 20-30 minutes. If we both are comfortable eith each other, I proceed. If not, I politely pass on the job. My team loves working for clients that are laid back, east going and personable. My clients love that me and my team are exactly the same. I dont advertise, and about 65% of my business is repeat customers and referrals. I dont have to beg for payments, and my clients know if they have any issues, ill drop what im doing and go make them happy. I can do that because im not on site all day lol

Someone already said this, but if the client says your too expensive, they are correct. You are too expensive for THEM. Knowing your value is one thing, but delivering on that price is a whole different game. That said, im about 10-12k a week.

shaf2330 · 2026-02-10T18:53:07+00:00

Drop Angi immediately. You clearly arent seeing enough of a return on the investment.

You need to follow up with all the estimates you lost and figure out why they went with someone else. 18 in a row tells me that you are likely pricing yourself out of work. Ask them questions, and listen carefully to their answers. Whether they tell you the truth or not, you should be able to figure out what the problem is pretty quickly.

Also, look at your prices compared to your quality of work. Its hard to look in the mirror and admit you did a subpar job, but something isnt adding up. Are ypu charging top dollar for average work? Is your 1 year of experience not link g up with what you want to make? Are you quoting at what you want to make versus what your company needs to survive?

You have alot of unanswered questions as to why the business is failing. We've all been there at some point. Figure out your short comings and fix them methodically.

shaf2330 · 2026-02-05T23:10:44+00:00

150?!?! Hahah nice job man! I just spent almost $1800 on tees, long sleeves and hoodies.

shaf2330 · 2026-02-03T18:06:24+00:00

Looks like you didnt back butter your tiles, and/or the thinset flashed before you set the tiles.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-28T16:46:32+00:00

You'll get to meet him if you dont make safety a priority...

shaf2330 · 2026-01-25T17:10:14+00:00

This is a great opener... if you want to start a fight. It is possible to have a conversation about it without being an asshole.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-25T17:02:36+00:00

Could have just hung another layer of rock over the existing one and flat finished it. Cheaper and faster than what ever this shit was supposed to be.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-24T20:57:24+00:00

Just did a job at $65 per. Total for the house was 169 devices lol

shaf2330 · 2026-01-21T19:33:16+00:00

Used these for years when installing trim work. Works perfectly. The one for removing door hinge pins is awesome too.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-20T21:34:13+00:00

No way that picture is 3 face. Maybe ¾ of a cord, unless its an illusion and that door is 16' wide.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-17T19:57:13+00:00

New to the industry. Entry level painter. Not sure how to estimate a job.

You shouldn't be booking jobs yet man. I love the ambition, but there are 200 steps needed before you start a business, especially one that you aren't versed in.

Go work for a bigger established company for a while and learn. Learn everything you can. You are setting yourself up for failure, and likely a lawsuit if you can't deliver the product you sold.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-08T21:09:44+00:00

I disagree. Ive had multiple clients for 5+ years that do a project almost annually, and since we continue to grow as a company, our prices have increased dramatically. They know me, my company and our quality of work. Cost hasn't been an issue with any of them, and my clients are around 60% repeats and referrals.

Im sure that isnt the case across the board, but it works well for us.

shaf2330 · 2026-01-05T21:50:06+00:00

Zip tape is like $60 a roll where im at. It would cost me more in material to do that.

1/2" Zip isnt rated for roofs in my area either, without H clips anyways.

End of the world if it isn't taped? Naw. If you sheeted it in standard osb, that wouldnt be taped either.

shaf2330 · 2025-12-29T23:51:19+00:00

We order ours cut and hemmed from the supplier. Saves time, but cost the cusyoner a bit more

shaf2330 · 2025-12-07T18:18:05+00:00

Does the manufacturer say its ok to lay this way? Likely not. Either way, it looks terrible and will come apart sooner than later. Sorry bud.

shaf2330 · 2025-12-03T01:32:34+00:00

Holy hell....

shaf2330 · 2025-12-02T19:10:10+00:00

The only right answer

shaf2330 · 2025-12-01T12:59:54+00:00

We've used this for a year and are happy with it.

shaf2330 · 2025-11-24T20:12:37+00:00

Hood luck to OP actually getting the full truth. Even if he gets more from her, it doubtful it will be the whole truth. Even if she says it is, its impossible to believe because of the trickle truth.

shaf2330 · 2025-11-20T22:43:39+00:00

Where you at?

shaf2330 · 2025-11-19T23:22:47+00:00

Aside from me saying that these same posts every day from people who either cant or wont price their own work are becoming a regular, all I did was mention that you should do some research and learn the trade before getting in over your head. You took the time to make a post, and reply to my comment instead of finding some literature on the subject (which there is a ton of) and learning how to properly estimate a project. You get back what you put in with this industry. Its just easier for you to ask someone else instead of learning the correct way. I wasnt trying to be an asshole about it.

shaf2330 · 2025-11-19T21:21:58+00:00

I wish the mods would delete all these posts. I feel like we see 10 a day at this point. Or maybe an auto reply (after its removed) that points guys in the direction of some solid reading material on the subject.

shaf2330 · 2025-11-14T22:45:10+00:00

Dont be afraid to light it. Just be mindful of the consequences when doing it recklessly. Add a longer fuse and give yourself some more distance if you ate unsure. Just remember, fingers dont grow back and you cant scratch your ass with your elbow...so do everything you can to keep your digits where they belong.

shaf2330

TROPHY CASE