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Originally Posted by look 171
Building boom is everywhere but I think its going to slow down in the next couple years. After the election will come correction. I can't get my subs to see the jobs without making me wait a few days. We have backed up for a 1.5 -2 years for the past 4-5 years. Crazy.
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That's a good problem to have, but as you say, these things are cyclical. The risk with a big backlog is that when the economy goes away, those customers you thought were in the bag walk. Then you're stuck if you've built the business up in anticipation of endless growth that doesn't materialize. I watched a couple of my competitors die from that mistake.
I like to talk to employees of contractors I hire to see what they think of their jobs, how they like their owner, etc. I don't pry, but it's usually pretty easy to get them to talk if you show an interest and respect for what they are doing. The lead guy on the deck was really anxious intense, and a real perfectionist. When they found the rotted joists, it really threw him at first. Took him awhile to regroup. The other guy was really easygoing and talkative, but he was also a perfectionist. I'd watch him out the window shave a bit off a board, test fit it, shave off a bit more, over and over.
IMO, we as a society have failed to pay proper respect to people who can work with their hands. As a result, there is a shortage of folks in the skilled trades. Those that remain and are good are in high demand because supply is so low. Building a deck is something you can't automate or outsource to China.