August stagnation
 

I have been in business contracting small stuff like windows and doors for ions. Before that, I did some bigger stuff but before that I was a painting contractor (when the money was really good).

I've noticed over the years that there are some periods where nothing moves. In the glass business that's the week between 12/25 and 1/1. For customer contact it's the first of the year, around tax time and in mid August to early Sept. Kinda goes along with the back-to-school thing.

But the thing is, everyone goes dormant. Even those w/o children. Right now I have a few irons in the fire, but the fire is out.

Always been this way but I never get used to it.

No, I'm not taking a vacation, the obvious thing to do.

too darn hot?

Oh wait, you're in Cali.

Everyones in Monterey this week!!!

They do it every year...

lol. Most of the people I work for drive soccer mom cars.

In higher-end retail consumer electronics, summer doldrums have always been a fact. Business drops significantly when school lets out & doesn't revive until it's back in. Then it climbs until Black Friday. Only cheap crap & video sell in December. Another climb from mid-January until tax time & a small burst when the refunds start trickling in. Surprisingly, February has always been one of the best months due to left over & gifted Xmas dollars.

It doesn't make the slow summers any easier, though.

Ian

I want/need 6 windows in my 60+ year-old house replaced. I think they're original to the place. We're soliciting quotes but I'm in the Valley, a bit far from you.

The normal seasonal patterns are there, but there's the secondary effect of 1.) increased tendency to save on the part of American consumers (it's about time!) and 2.) market uncertainty/economic uncertainty.

I don't see any more folks out mowing their own lawn.

I agree. Someone best buy that Willys.

Milt we are very seasonal, with August being the tipping point for the down hill slide of the year. Once we get about midway through February things start to pick back up.

I have never gotten used to it either.

Summer has always been the slowest time for my contracting business. Spring is always the busiest. People want their decks, and other stuff done before the summer.

Same in my biz too. I generally keep pretty busy throughout the whole year, but Roughly Dec 20 th- Jan 5th, is pretty stagnant, and right about this time of year as well. I always assumed it was the back to school thing, but like you said, not all my customers have kids.
I sort of like it, I still have work , just my phone is not ringing 50 times a day, and the flow of foot traffic through my door slows down. A little bit of piece and quiet for a change .
We usually plan vacations around this time of year.