Getting a job again in the home building industry sucks...

[A930Rocket]

Getting a job again in residential construction sucks...

Some background: My degree is in Mgt from Georgia State University, but enjoying working with my hands, I got a job with a privately owned residential builder in Atlanta, that built about 1500 homes a year in the southeast. It was a good run that lasted for 18 years, until two and half years ago, when the bubble burst and the economy tanked. Started as a Finish Manger punching out homes and finished as a Project Manager, building homes, multi-million dollar amenity centers, entrances, light commercial, some remodeling, development, etc. Home prices ranged from the mid $200's to over $1,000,000. I have my SC residential builders license, passed the SC unlimited General Contractors exam (and was the license qualifier for both for the builder here in SC), passed the ICC Building, Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical exams. That's not to say I'm an expert in the codes, but experience and being familiar with the books helps. Since the RIF (one of a thousand), I've "worked" for my brother trying to build up his business in Atlanta, commuting back and forth from Chas, SC to Atl, GA every week. Well, that's been a bust both financially and time wise. Shame on me, but it was my brother.

Locally, knocking on doors, networking with associates, looking in the paper and on-line has proven fruitless to date. Charleston, SC isn't a big place and nobody is hiring in construction right now.

At 51 (I went back to school late), I'm not getting any younger and I can't retire. Fortunately, we sold our home two years ago and don’t have to tote that big note anymore. I've got two kids in high school, that will be going to college in two and four years. Going back to school again to get another degree in a field that's hiring seems risky at this point. I'm going to look at the nearby Technical College to see what they might be teaching and if they match up with jobs being posted, but money and a career might be limited. I can work on cars to an extent, as it's been a hobby of mine for years. No certifications or training though.

Now it comes time to ask the brain trust here at PPOT for advice. What would you suggest?

Thanks, Jim

[vash]

i work with a guy that seems like your description. came up building homes, and really stood out in reading and understanding plans and codes. he parlayed that into a construction management position building homes, then to larger government projects.

this guy is old school, handshake deals, hardcore construction guy. everything by the plans. you want to make a change? get the designer to put it in writing. i love working with him.

what does he do now? he is a consultant with URS. his knowledge of mechanical and electrical plans plus his extensive experience with the building codes is invaluable. he is now contracted with us to babysit our contractor on just that..the elec and mech parts..i dont know his salary..but his workload is has big as he wants it...

soo...maybe explore hiring on with an engineering company as a techical inspector? (i hate the term "inspector").. large government jobs are available. search for companies like URS..(Parson Brinkinhoff, Becktel??)

[Zeke]

But, vash, how did your guy get his job? I'll bet knocking on doors wasn't the way he landed that gig.

Jim, all of us are in the same boat having anything to do with the construction biz. Remodels, new work, tenant improvements, it's all in the bin.

If I knew the answer, I'd post it for all Pelicans to see. Frankly, it's so bad this go round (and I've seen this movie 3-4 times) that I've lost ambition to use my hands and tools. You'll find that customers don't appreciate much but low price these days.

After 40 years, it's hard to say, "I'll match or beat that immigrant's price and do better work with more and better tools."

In SoCal, the flippers are back in business. With your skills you could manage those projects. Check out the local real estate firms and see what's going on. Last recession I was in AL near Logan Martin Lake and Pell City. There was the "white flight" out of Birmingham that was fueling a lot of activity in real estate on the 100's of miles of shoreline. Jobs weren't too hard to find unless you were some yank from CA.

Then it was a little tougher, but I made out with those rednecks while I was there.

[vash]

i would send out resumes and cover letters...if he were in the bay area, i would introduce him to Ray.

lunch and strategy talk..couldnt hurt.

i wish everyone the best luck..this schit sucks.

[widebody911]

According to the Pelican Brain Trust™, if you're unemployed for more than 30 minutes, it means you're lazy and just want to milk the system while you sit on your ass and watch Oprah

[id10t]

Have you looked into teaching at a community college?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by id10t

Have you looked into teaching at a community college?

Your CC has money? Ours is laying off right and left. They cut out most of the summer session where newbies can get a part time position. Full time is out of the question.

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Getting a job again in residential construction sucks...

Now it comes time to ask the brain trust here at PPOT for advice. What would you suggest?

Thanks, Jim

Wish I had an answer. I think anything construction related is trending around depression levels. In TN, I see existing construction, distressed RE selling for far below replacement cost. It's no wonder that new home sales and construction is in the crapper now.

Any attempt to stay in the field might require you to retool (physically and mentally). Just brainstorming here, but perhaps consider energy audits, building consulting, etc. You wouldn't be selling an end result where you'd be competing with cheap latino labor. You'd be selling your experience. Sure, you'd have to work with fickle homeowners, but hey, ya got bills, right?

I think you already know most homes need help. HVAC systems are not properly sealed, sized, or installed. Insulation and air sealing in most existing construction is poor. Exterior surfaces are not maintained or upgraded to control air and water.

I do believe staying in the field is your best shot. You just have to find a niche, and honestly, I think we ALL have to get accustomed to working more for less pay. Until the economy sheds debt, we're gonna be treading water for a while--at least that's what most working-class Americans will be doing.

[Rot 911]

If I had your skills I would start my own business as a general contractor.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

If I had your skills I would start my own business as a general contractor.

Fail.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Residential construction is dead and will not be going anywhere for at least 10 years. I'd get out now if possible.

The only areas that are going to see growth are highly specialized niches (i.e. extreme high-end, government/HUD-funded, etc.) If you can get into educational or university work or healthcare do that. Otherwise I'd say either become a demolition contractor or abatement specialist or get out of the field.

The days of spec house building are dead for at least the next 10 years. I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by milt

Fail.

Green text was implied in his post.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

If I had your skills I would start my own business as a general contractor.

Now????

[id10t]

Originally Posted by milt

Your CC has money? Ours is laying off right and left. They cut out most of the summer session where newbies can get a part time position. Full time is out of the question.

Yeah, we actually got a decent raise this year. And hiring lots of adjuncts, and the lead instructor for building & construction is retiring....

[A930Rocket]

Thanks guys.

No doubt I need to retool myself and see what's beyond building, but where I can use my skills. What jobs I have seen out there requires a degree in some type of engineering. I just don't see going back now to get an engineering degree and starting at the bottom at my age. I need income now and while it won't be what I was making, it will be something better than minimum and a career.

My forte was building, but like any good builder, you're only as good as your subs and trades to know their job and get the job done. Thus, while I passed the ICC tests, I'm not qualified to teach, and if you saw me speak in public, you would cry .

I heard a spot on the radio a few weeks ago for American Contractors, who teaches folks how to get their builders license. Who in their right mind would go into building right now? You can't get a loan and you can't sell if you did.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Residential construction is dead and will not be going anywhere for at least 10 years. I'd get out now if possible.

The only areas that are going to see growth are highly specialized niches (i.e. extreme high-end, government/HUD-funded, etc.) If you can get into educational or university work or healthcare do that. Otherwise I'd say either become a demolition contractor or abatement specialist or get out of the field.

The days of spec house building are dead for at least the next 10 years. I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

Remodels may come back.

The busiest trade I see out on the streets is landscaping. The new fad here is no lawn. 4 jobs going on in my neighborhood and that's it. I've seen a couple of painters and a plumber here and there doing emergency service (or so I presume) which will always be a viable biz.

Not much else.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I hear ya - I hate lawn maintenance. The place I'm in currently I'm trying to convince the owner to let me landscape it with minimal grass using areas of gravel (2 different colors), wood chips and white sand. If we end up buying the place I'm doing it for sure - no B.S. mowing and weeding and all that crap. Time and money and I guarantee I can make it look better and nicer than someone who wastes a lot of both trying to aspire to some "golf course green" lawn. No thanks.

Like they say, it's not the up-front that kills you, but the upkeep...

I agree with you too - specialized niches and subtrades will probably do okay to a point but overall I wouldn't go anywhere near residential. The market is dead and it's WAY oversaturated. Either specialize or get out... or die on the vine. That's how I see it right now.

It's extremely difficult to break into HC or school construction (especially in CA if one does not have prior extensive involvement/experience with OSHPD and DSA, respectively) but that's where the work is. The days of easy money slapping wood-frame shoeboxes with stucco veneer together are long gone and they ain't coming back.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Residential construction is dead and will not be going anywhere for at least 10 years. I'd get out now if possible.

The only areas that are going to see growth are highly specialized niches (i.e. extreme high-end, government/HUD-funded, etc.) If you can get into educational or university work or healthcare do that. Otherwise I'd say either become a demolition contractor or abatement specialist or get out of the field.

The days of spec house building are dead for at least the next 10 years. I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

That is worth quoting, spot on.

What ever you do, stay out of architecture.

You might want to look into senior housing, gotta be a workable angle somewhere as the older baby boomers bow out.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Ain't that the truth...

Go into construction management if you can (hint, hint). That's where the real money (what little of it there is), is.

[daepp]

I would encourage you to have just a little hope come the first of the year and presumably a change in the political environment. Their is so much uncertainty out there with much cash sitting idle on the sidelines waiting for clear direction. If not then, then I don;t see much turnaround for construction.