plainpainter 217 Report post Posted January 28, 2009 In the past I've paid guys so atrociously well - and they still didn't give a damn about the success of my company. I let their attitudes run my company into the ground - I take the blame, even though I treated them as professionals and paid them as well as middle school teachers - they robbed my company blind. It's ending - it's sad in a way, and I wouldn't want to work for myself right now either. But guys coming on board are getting minimum wage. And if they're not happy - they're getting let go immediately - everyone is expendable in this economy. No longer will I fear guys leaving me if I don't pay them better. I remember guys complaining to me about how the 'next' guy will pay them $24/hr under the table - yet they could barely brush on a half gallon of paint in a day. Those days of worthless employees are long long gone - there is a silver lining to this downturn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted January 28, 2009 Sign of the times isn't it? Rod!~ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Stone 604 Report post Posted January 28, 2009 I am going to continue to pay my guys teh same wages. They have already proved their value to me. The difference is, now, I am much quicker to cut the attitudes. I figure I can usually do whatever it is myself, and do it quicker and more efficiently. Just my thoughts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted January 28, 2009 Sign of the times isn't it?Rod!~ I am done Rod - I have taken so many notes over the years on production rates - and then I talk to some more seasoned guys, and they were consistently reporting as much as 40% less man-hours to do the same work I was quoting. And what got me really mad was when I heard a guy I employed over two years ago bragging about how he did all the work on the last project. I was fuming - he was a guy that wouldn't go up ladders - I had to install pump jacks scaffolding on 50% of the home just to get the guy to help me out on some of the medium high work. Then I looked carefully into the reported hours and found out he reported 45% of the total man-hours for the bottom half of the home - it should have been no more than a third of the work. This is the crap I've had to deal with. Margins are going to be tight - guys are going to have to kick a$$ for little money - that's just how things are - the gravy train is over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
