Employed by Orange or Blue?

[LarryFine]

There was nothing like seeing a few overweight construction workers in Carhart bib overalls with a cigarette in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, with one leg up in the air, attempting to do stretches at 7 o'clock in the morning to start you day out with a good laugh. Somebody should have got that on video!

Did you ever see Gung Ho with Michael Keaton?

 

[LarryFine]

scott,

i've worked at a hd for 2 1/2 years as a "trade specialist" and it works for me but it's not for everyone. I love the trade and love learning but the work conditions got to me, that meaning old work residential and new work commercial. I've mentioned on here in the past that i am now in a controlled climate with access to a micro, a fridge, a bathroom that's not made out of plastic, and a parking lot that could not be mistaken for a mud bog. I have decent benefits, a 401k with a respectable company match, steady hours, i can't complain but at times i still do. You really have to be a people person and have patience, both with the customer and management. Sometimes management does things that make you wonder if they have any touch with reality and you'll have customers that want to do the craziest electrical things you've ever heard and no matter how dangerous you tell them it is they don't care. You'll also have to deal with employees that don't really want to be there and/or don't have a clue as to what they are doing and you have to rely on them to get the product on the shelf, that's a big problem for me. You will feel like a fool in front of the customer when you are out of the most common items for days and weeks on end. Theft with piss you off almost as much as the parade of customers that apparently have no problem ripping open packages and leave it for you to piece back together, that really pisses me off. I have a whole case of gfci's that have been ripped open, why? There is a gfci on display directly below the box??!! In addition, you are essentially a stock person as the night crew can only do so much and believe me, you will never have enough time to get done what you want to get done because most depots have been running on skeleton crews for sometime, although we are currently hiring so hopefully that will change. If you're lucky like me though you'll get steady hours, meaning, the same hours each day, most employees don't get that benefit. So like i said, i can't complain but honestly i'm happy to be there but miss the trade as well.

Holy smokes!

 

[macmikeman]

Please don't take any of my previous posts wrong. I agree with you that pre-work or workout stretches are a good thing to do. No question about it.

I don't know if you are familar with the general contracting firm Mortenson that I mentioned in my first post,but they do work all over the USA and probably all over the world. They are big. If Mortenson thinks that pre-work stretches reduce injuries I'll bet they have research and studies to back it up.

But seriously you got laugh a little at the thought of my first post. After all if we can't poke a little goodhearted fun at ourselves and our fellow workers you ain't liv'in. My apologies if I have offended you in any way.

Nah, I didnn't get offended at all. I was just saying about the stretching is a good thing.. Macmike is always just sayin..........:grin:

Mortenson is big here too. I have youtube locked out of this computer since the kids like to use this one too. (I am at home). Monday when I wander the 50 feet over to my office I will check it out.

Good luck and God speed to Scott. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[PetrosA]

I'm about to turn 40 and I am far worse off than I was at 30. I've got 18 years of self employment behind me, most pretty succesful, but the last year and a half has essentialy left me just about broke. I am just about to start using my "emergency" money that I have been saving for years. The road I am on is leading me into a situation where if I were to continue I will spend the rest of my life digging out.
Thanks for the replies guys.

Scott, I truly sympathize with you. We're about the same age. At 30, I owned the most prestigious coffee house in a town of almost 300,000, had rich customers, had done a TV appearance, was "the place" for any visiting stars and politicians, and basically was at the top of my game. A few years later I lost my cafe (like you, due to reasons beyond my control), was unemployed and soon after ended up moving back to the US. At that point I took a job as an electrician again and the last three years have been tough to say the least, but I'm finally getting back on my game.

If you can make a gig at HD or Lowes work for you, do it. Time spent unemployed and worried will hurt you in ways that take years to repair and it's better to have a crappy job than no job. If something better comes along, go for it. If you can keep your truck, tools etc. to be ready to jump on your own leads, do that too. You're definitely going to be out of your comfort zone, which isn't easy at this stage of life, but you just need to hang in there. You got this far once, you'll do it again

 

[growler]

Scott, it's better to have a crappy job than no job. If something better comes along, go for it.

That just about says it all right there.

 

[e57]

It is that bad. Last year was the "ride it our year". This year has seen no improvement and in fact it is worse. I've been talkng to a ton of people, gc's and ec's, it is dead here. There is just no work and what work there is pays crap. You've all seen everybody posting bid results.

I'm about to turn 40 and I am far worse off than I was at 30. I've got 18 years of self employment behind me, most pretty succesful, but the last year and a half has essentialy left me just about broke. I am just about to start using my "emergency" money that I have been saving for years. The road I am on is leading me into a situation where if I were to continue I will spend the rest of my life digging out.


So, it's time. I've always known that sooner or later I wouldn't be able to work like I do now as I got older and it would be tougher to compete with the younger guys and that I didn't really want to do this forever. I didn't think it would be this soon but it is what it is.

I am not really that bummed about it. The thought of showing up to work in a heated/air conditoned clean space and just working my hours has some serious appeal after 18 years of more or less "always" working. That and a paycheck I can count on coupled with some sidework, I can forsee a decent furture.

Thanks for the replies guys.

It was this type of bust economy that got me back to being employed by other EC's as a Foreman years ago - that worked very well and risk free 40 hour weeks for years. I could pick and choose who I worked for and for how much. My wife would not allow me to do side work because I didn't need it. But like everyone else - the people i worked for found themselves over extended in huge ways and down-sized to stay alive - been laid off 3 times in 2 years - started taking side work again -and that too is dry now. I can't live on UI so why bother - got house, car and 2 1/2 year old little girl to feed and educate. The economy here on my would-be-island held off from alot of the other stuff that happened before - but now it is dragging in desparate competition from deep space - lowballing for gas money home each night. Mean-while I can't pay my bills....

And thankfully there is some light at the end of the tunnel - as most of these lowballers never worked here before and are getting thier asses handed back to them by either failed inspections for work that won't fly here, or contracts that they can't keep. So lately I've been doing really fast crunchy correction work on jobs where the out of towners have left or destroyed chances of keeping property owner bank money coming in - by lack of performance or hack work. Right now I've racked up 40 hours in 3 days to fix a failed FA inspection for a guy from 3 counties out. (Gonna work another 12 today as well on Sunday to get a new FA inspection and hopefully meet a Bank inspection there Monday too.)

That and getting a bunch of other 1099 work for other EC's who need an extra hand - project based - for stuff they did not expect to get, and did not have the man power for because they laid off everyone. So yeah - I'm a Sub-Sub-Contractor.... But in the veiw of companies like Labor Ready or the like, where many of them would turn in cases like that - I am what they are not - Dirt Cheap (in comparision) and Damned Good. Since no one really wants "employees" anymore - what they do want is someone to call on to lend a hand freelance - they want "Mercenaries". And I'm happy to consider myself one at this point.

 

[satcom]

That just about says it all right there.

When I was cleaning restrooms, and delivering papers, I have to say, the money was clean and I actually enjoyed the stress free days.

 

[peter d]

Scott, maybe when I get my operation up and running and into the big time, I'll hire you.

It just might take a few years. So yeah, get that job at the big box and in the meantime......

 

[hardworkingstiff]

That and getting a bunch of other 1099 work for other EC's who need an extra hand - project based - for stuff they did not expect to get, and did not have the man power for because they laid off everyone. So yeah - I'm a Sub-Sub-Contractor.... But in the veiw of companies like Labor Ready or the like, where many of them would turn in cases like that - I am what they are not - Dirt Cheap (in comparision) and Damned Good. Since no one really wants "employees" anymore - what they do want is someone to call on to lend a hand freelance - they want "Mercenaries". And I'm happy to consider myself one at this point.

Sounds like an EC w/out sales. :grin:

 

[LarryFine]

Since no one really wants "employees" anymore - what they do want is someone to call on to lend a hand freelance - they want "Mercenaries". And I'm happy to consider myself one at this point.

"Have Kleins - Will Travel"

 

[PetrosA]

"Have Kleins - Will Travel"

Or "Have way more than just Kleins - Will Travel" This is my version of being a mercenary since I'm basically existing thanks to being a sub.

Hey, anyone wanna buy a Jeep? Runs well and has two set of rims/tires Perfect for the beginning trunk slammer!

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Hi Scott,

Don't get down, Focus on the end result (more work), not where you are today.

My sugestion if you do work for the the orange and blue harware stores is contact them to see if you can be one of the contractors that installs the light fixtures people buy in the store. Or contact the kitchen deptartment and see if you can call the cabinet installers and place a bid on the kitchen renovation projects.

If you are good at what you do which I suspect you are, and you get some work from the hardware stores then, people may have more work around there homes outside of hanging just the lights or kitchen upgrades.

Otherwise, if you or anyone else on the forum is interested PM me. I have started a network marketing company that distributes a naturally grown raw whole food with lots of nutritional value that could lead to long term residual income outside of the electrical industry. We all have to be a little creative to bring in extra money anyway we can.

- JWC

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Or "Have way more than just Kleins - Will Travel" This is my version of being a mercenary since I'm basically existing thanks to being a sub.

Hey, anyone wanna buy a Jeep? Runs well and has two set of rims/tires Perfect for the beginning trunk slammer!

Mileage? LOL

 

[PetrosA]

Mileage? LOL

For the Jeep or the TC? Jeep is around 250k and gets about 16-18 mpg. Runs well, never left me on the road once

The TC has almost 5000 miles on it since the beginning of Dec. and gets between 18-23 mpg with the ladders and snow tires still on it, depending on weather. I'm guessing the mpg will go up when I change back to all-seasons.

 

[Riograndeelectric]

Or "Have way more than just Kleins - Will Travel" This is my version of being a mercenary since I'm basically existing thanks to being a sub.

Hey, anyone wanna buy a Jeep? Runs well and has two set of rims/tires Perfect for the beginning trunk slammer!

very cool work truck how do you like it compared to a regular cargo van. if you do not mind my asking waht was the cost for the complete set up with binss, laddder rack etc.

 

[peter d]

The one thing that would drive me nuts about working in HD is the awful Top 40 soft pop muzak from the last 10 years that they play.

 

[PetrosA]

very cool work truck how do you like it compared to a regular cargo van. if you do not mind my asking waht was the cost for the complete set up with binss, laddder rack etc.

Thanks! That's not an easy one to answer. It forces you to work differently in a lot of ways to save on space. Collapsible trash cans, well planned storage, etc mean the difference of having or not having space. I'm able to carry all of my regular tools other than the large rotary hammer all the time, but because of the interior length, I'm limited to what materials I can handle or how I have to transport them. I'll be getting a pipe carrier, but forget about loading 400' of 4" PVC into this truck. The solution to that is getting a hitch and lightweight trailer for hauling large materials. Six and eight foot baseboard heaters or channels can be mounted on the roof in small quantities. As a "mercenary" I'm mostly at jobs in a support role, so material transport isn't a large issue. My stock is pretty assorted, but I can't carry everything in every color. I stick with the basics mostly and load up on Decora style or Spec. Grade/Commercial stuff when needed.

It drives like a car, is extremely maneuverable and gets great mileage which is important to me. Last week I drove over 500 miles for work and spent about $60 on gas, so I know I'm coming out ahead in that respect.

Ladder rack was under $400, Ranger C211 bin kit un-assembled/uninstalled cost about $2200 after a $200 rebate from Ford, and the truck (XLT version with hands-free system) was about $23,000 IIRC so total is about 25-26k. Some will say that's not cheap enough for such a small vehicle, but I have no complaints. In fact, I don't think I've ever driven such a conversation starter as this which is great for business!

 

[TOOL_5150]

back when I was out of high school, I worked at orange box. I made 10/hr but I was fired - one of the best things that happened to me.

~Matt

 

[e57]

Sounds like an EC w/out sales. :grin:

Yep - and often with lower or no risk. Sounds awesome to me! But it does have some great up's to it, with fewer downs for all involved.

Say you come across a job - too big to take on your own - you bid it anyway. Reguardless if you have the staffing or even the time to do it - you don't get it - big deal. Move on. If you do get it - you hire in hands only for the project and bring in a few other EC's and maybe thier crews on top of yours if you have any... They in turn do the same...

I used to work for 3 Irish EC's back in the early 90's - one day with one, another day with the next - if they got something big - sometimes all 3, once in a while a few more. Only one of them had any employees to speak of - but they would land huge jobs by working together. Something most Americans would be weary of... Not sure why - pride, or trust, or a self- centered competive aspect... I don't know???? But for small shops IMO it makes sense. 2-3 small shops can compete with larger companies - just due to overhead. But right now - instead of sitting on the butt - you can land a project that can keep you going for a year or more.

That said - I'm back from the trenches... 12 hours of unscrambling eggs for a very greatfull out-of town FA contractor who got caught unaware of our funny local rules.... (FA needs to be in metallic raceways...) And this is work I got for helping an EC friend of a former employer who got a fast-track to clear a core for occupancy - which may lead to more work... (Hopefully) - But yeah - I would rather work for 20 different EC's than chase the dimes rolling around lately. No one is hiring, and large and medium shops are being very cautious about what they price now - hell a number have vanished all together. But there is still a little bit of work out there - and if I stay flexible - I can lend a hand, and pay some bills maybe...

 

[RICK NAPIER]

The only thing worse than complaining about work is not having any work to complain about. If this job will we help you threw these troubled times go for it and good luck. Your experience should be a great asset to them.