Is it time to take on help?

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bobbyho

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Central Connecticut
Does anyone have any advice when it is time to take someone on? I am a one man shop that has to work odd days. (Kid in daycare only 3 days a week) I have to take Wednesdays off so that means my schedule is Mon,Tue,Thu Fri and Sat. Not the best hours for a job if you are going to work for someone. I had been thinking once my youngest is in 1st grade that I could work Mon thru Fri like everyone else and then I could look to expand. I am pretty busy now. Out about 4 to 5 weeks and all new calls I basically have to say this before I proceed with talking about the job or prices. Like most of you, I stare at my schedule planning like some kind of military general and one glitch in the schedule (all too common) and I am back at rescheduling. I think it would be nice to have help to blow through some of the work and not have such a backlog. An apprentice would be helpful if it was a 3rd or 4th year. A journeyman would be nice, I could send him on his own jobs. This is a harder decision than starting the business ever was. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
I worked solo at my business for 6 years. Hired a helper (qualified) then another & another................. I've had as many as 8 but 5 or 6 fits me about right. I don't care to be the biggest I can be and I can manage my crew very well at this size. Having employees gets more work done but brings with it a whole new bunch of duties and responsibilities. You need to figure out where to go from here, we can't make the decision only you can.
(go for it)

Bob on the left coast.
 
I'd put on an aprentice, not a j-man based on what you describe. To send a j-man out on his own means adding another stocked truck. And you will never find one to do things the way you want them done, especially if you are working different jobs. That's not to say things would be "wrong", just not your way. I'd prefer to train someone the way I'd like. You really are not taking much risk by adding an apprentice, and you can easily transition back to just you if it doesn't work out. For years I wanted the control of just myself, my father, 2 vans and 1-2 apprentices. I'm now up to 7 guys plus myself and my father. The scheduling is not any easier. I'm as busy as ever, and now for every one glitch in the schedule, there can be 4-5, one for each crew. There are benefits to adding a man, and benefits to staying solo. Only you can decide. Weigh it out. If you're truly happy working alone, just say no to more calls. You don't need every call that comes in. And don't be afraid to raise your rates.

Good luck and keep us posted.

John
 
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