I've found some good trade workers, but I can't seem to keep them. Everyone else in my area wants them, too. And because the demand is so high, they're going up on their rates. Any suggestions on how to get/keep good trades at a decent price?
These are all things we look at before taking on new clients. We will research and ask their other subs questions before agreeing to do work with them.
Steady money with good profits always takes priority over hit and miss jobs.
Even though a trade contractor's attention is usually on his bottom line, it is not his only focus.
Building a personal relationship of trust with the contractor can help sure up his loyalty to you and your projects. Little things like offering snacks, an available restroom, and sincere compliments, make the contractor and his workers more comfortable in your home or on you job site, which will help you gain their respect. I've been on several jobs where the crew did not respect the homeowner, designer, or builder, because there was either no relation or an unequal relation between the customer and the workers. Quality and value are always weekened by disrespect to the customer.
Gaining respect starts by giving the same. Ask for the contractor's opinions and suggestions in the design process. Also, give praise and credit where it is due. Anything you can do to show your sincere respect for the contractor's professional experience and ability will reciprocate the same respect for you and your project.
I have been a woodworker as a hobby for many years and have worked here and there for contractors over the years. After trying to go out on my own I can understand some of the economics of bussiness and as a worker for contractors I can tell you what I dislike as a worker in the trades. The bennefits are practically non existant, No health insurance, no retirement, etc. One contractor I did work for doesn't provide a simple thing like a porta potty on the jobsites which is law in this state. In the winter months up here the chances of a layoff are good, or not geting all your hours in some weeks. I love working with wood and building things but the working conditions and the overall rewards of the job aren't enough to keep me there. There are alot of desperate souls in the carpentry bussiness that will work for little or nothing and the trade feeds on it. Such as illegal immigrants and people with no drivers licenses, etc. Until this industry starts paying respectable wages, with bennefits, proper working conditions, and treats workers with dignity, your going to get what you got. The good people will move on to better things when it comes up. With the houseing boom going on over the last few years I think the contractors and the real estate people have done well, unfortunatly the labor force hasn't. Not much attraction for anyone that knows anything.
