New guy

[MorningStar]

Thanks! He would actually do restoration or remodeling rather than new construction. He's been a superintendent for years now with a restoration company, so he already has plenty of Tums. We should buy stock in Tums. There are loads of people in our ward who want to hire him. He was going to just get licensed as a handyman, but you can't grow in that and in our state, handymen aren't allowed to touch any plumbing now unless they're a licensed plumber. That really limits what he can do. So he figured he'd become a general contractor instead.

[skalenfehl]

Even as a General Contractor I don't touch plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc. I hire a sub contractor. That would be the way to go. I try not to do work for people I know or are in my ward unless they reeeaally need my help. I have done it, and they've been happy. Heck, I framed the houses in my neighborhood and haven't heard a complaint yet, but I was extremely thorough.

If your husband decides to do work for those in his ward, I'd highly advise making sure everything is in writing and spelled out in detail with no room for interpretation. That is when friendships and good relationships can be compromised. This way both parties have a clear understanding of each other's expectations. Never, ever say, "I'll take care of you," or "we'll settle up in the end," etc. Big mistake.

[MorningStar]

Yes, he would hire a sub contractor or maybe hire a plumber as an employee eventually.

There are some people in the ward he wouldn't do work for because they would want it cheaper, but others want to pay him full price and are excited to help get him started and they want someone they can trust. They have a hard time letting contractors into their home. Good idea to get it in writing! :) A friend of mine has really been pushing for him to start a business and she got annoyed when this sister in our ward asked us what's the cheapest he would fix a hole in her ceiling for - would he do it for $100? My friend said, "They have their house! You deserve to have your house! They should be paying full price!" My husband is the kind of person who would help people for free all the time if he could, but we have to get out of this apartment.

Do you do mostly framing?

[skalenfehl]

Framing is what I mostly have done for 17 years. I've switched to finish and trim this year. The overhead is infinitely less, the employee trouble is virtually nonexistent now, and my schedule is much more flexible. Oh, and I'm not breaking my back anymore, which is good because this business has put a lot of miles and wear and tear on my body.

[MorningStar]

That's awesome! Yeah, we realize a while back that my husband has better get in a supervisory position before his body falls apart. He has met so many older carpenters with arthritis.