Outbid City

[ARGOS]

I understand as the economy weakens there will be people taking work at lower rates, basic supply and demand rules take over. More contractors, less work, lower rates. I have noticed that I am losing bids more then normal.

A lot of guys on this forum have talked about how tough the eighties were and some of the other contractors I talk to around here remember the eighties as being tough financially. I wonder if this round is going to be harder?

Currently I am doing a lot more work on repairs or maintenance that would have been complete re-installations a year ago.

Another reason to go after additional certs that are recession proof such as Back Flow Tester Cert, irrigation auditor, etc.

[Mike Leary]

I went through "those times" twice; freaked me out the first time in the seventies, worried me in the eighties. Got to hunker down during these times, be very careful of expenses, how you pay your subs, your suppliers, keep inventory low. After all, we are still a luxury and will take a little longer to come back. Service will pull you through. Backflow cert is a +, but gotta sell it.

[bicmudpuppy]

I went through "those times" twice; freaked me out the first time in the seventies, worried me in the eighties. Got to hunker down during these times, be very careful of expenses, how you pay your subs, your suppliers, keep inventory low. After all, we are still a luxury and will take a little longer to come back. Service will pull you through. Backflow cert is a +, but gotta sell it.

I hope I'm wrong, and I really was a pup when we did this in the 80's, but my gut says this may make that look like a walk in the park. And I'm talking downtown Mayberry, not Central.

[AI Inc]

I Graduated in 80 and had a job from graduation , but it was slow , scarey and stagnant.
In the 89-91 resession I was a hardworking young money spending fool. In the 12 months leading up to it I bought a new truck, house 2 snowmobiles , 5 acres up north and built a camp. All financed .
That what I got right then was an education you just cant buy.
Thats something ya only do once.

[Mike Leary]

Harry Nilsson once sang, "I'd rather be dead, than wet my bed."

[Stuttering Stan]

I understand as the economy weakens there will be people taking work at lower rates, basic supply and demand rules take over. More contractors, less work, lower rates. I have noticed that I am losing bids more then normal.

A lot of guys on this forum have talked about how tough the eighties were and some of the other contractors I talk to around here remember the eighties as being tough financially. I wonder if this round is going to be harder?

Currently I am doing a lot more work on repairs or maintenance that would have been complete re-installations a year ago.

Another reason to go after additional certs that are recession proof such as Back Flow Tester Cert, irrigation auditor, etc.

I'm seeing the same problem. I've decided in the spring to focus more on irrigation maintenance rather than selling new installs. Trying to "roll with the punches"

[Waterit]

I hope I'm wrong

You are not alone in your thinking.

Now that the G is in the banking and auto industries, wonder if they'll invest in the construction industry - after all we are that stirs the drink.

[txgrassguy]

Just goes to show what different areas of the US are experiencing.
Here in central Texas my company has installs backed up through Mar of 09.
Where I am seeing the hardest sells is repairs. Seems a bunch of newly licensed irrigators are repairing but not installing.
All of this said I am using the tightening economy to further streamline my business.
Selective reductions in staff/equipment is occurring simultaneously with greater scrutiny towards new project bidding and actual acceptance. Continual employee cross training, equipment standardization, heightened equipment maintenance schedules and even greater employee accountability has helped to increase bottom line profits without sacrificing project performance or professionalism.
I have also increased my feedback to the employees who all feel a whole bunch better as they know more about what I face running the company and have an even further understanding about their place in the overall strategy. Plus they are happy as we still have work (as I am) when their friends are out of work.

[Waterit]

Harry Nilsson once sang, "I'd rather be dead, than wet my bed."

He also put the lime in the coconut.

[Mdirrigation]

Its very simple , time to get lean and mean , I am sitting here fixing trucks instead of buying new ones . Trimming expenses. I started in the lawn cutting business , back in the day . I kept all the equipment , I am going to send dirrect mail to my irrigation customers and re open the grass cutting business. Going for cash flow . The only good part of things getting slow is that I have quality people looking for jobs .

[TPendagast]

Does anyone ever notice what is true in the rest of the country is always different, not so, or the opposite in Texas. OR whatever is bad is the rest of the country is Good in Texas?

It doesnt matter who the poster is (as long as they are from Texas) and I have experienced the same phenomena is person talking to texans.

Example, "man my blue jeans are faded"
"heck in Texas those would be brand new!"

"The economy sucks and lots of people are going out of business"
"Heck in Texas we are turning away work"

whats the deal with that? I lived in plano for three months and I was drunk 90% of the time soI have to confess I know very little about texas.

IS there something in the water? OR is there really something better going on in Texas?
(hoesntly from what Ive seen walk out of Texas, they arent good examples of human stock, but it's possible these guy got KICKED out of texas! har har)

Honestly whats the deal with Texas? the Twilight zone?

[Who is John Malt]

"I lived in Plano for three months and I was drunk 90% of the time so I have to confess I know very little about Texas."

You apparently learned enough to get out. ::Ooh, did I say that out loud?::

[larryinalabama]

I Graduated in 80 and had a job from graduation , but it was slow , scarey and stagnant.
In the 89-91 resession I was a hardworking young money spending fool. In the 12 months leading up to it I bought a new truck, house 2 snowmobiles , 5 acres up north and built a camp. All financed .
That what I got right then was an education you just cant buy.
Thats something ya only do once.

I did that ONCE.

THe last 10-12 years have been good for me, all my finaces are streight and can live good on less than 2000 per month.

So if things slow down for me that just means I can finally go FISHING

[TPendagast]

I did that ONCE.

THe last 10-12 years have been good for me, all my finaces are streight and can live good on less than 2000 per month.

So if things slow down for me that just means I can finally go FISHING

You know what? this will sound funny but thats the life ive been looking for!

Work for 14-18 dollars per hour as a tech,specilaist, foreman designer,manager, whatever! DO the work I love to do and am good at, and when the work slows down, use to time for leisure and family!

I live on about 2500 per month, and we pay too dang much for rent (that will change in march when we either move away or just get a differnt place in town thats cheaper) then we WILL be able tolive off 2000 a month.

IVe earned 80k per year before, but Im happier (and less stressed) if there IS a slow down in the work, i feel I have time to make better decisions formy family rather than holding on to the money. and focusing on that.

[Mike Leary]

to live off 2000 a month.

Start planning; it can be done. Boots has it best; being in jail ,we support him.

[ARGOS]

Boots. I'll send you a cake for Christmas.

[Waterit]

::::searches for extra chainsaw file::::

[mikecaldwell1204]

I dunno how you could live on 2000 a month.

[Wet_Boots]

(sets up website with Paypal link)

[TPendagast]

I dunno how you could live on 2000 a month.

Living on $2,000 a month:

No car payment
No credit card payments.

Rent is $800/mo
Food $250/mo
Power/heat $ 100/mo
Fuel $150/mo
Phone $75/mo
Car Insurance $125/mo
Saving for the unexepected (car repairs etc) $200/mo
Direct Tv $50/mo
Misc stuff $200/mo

Total $2000/mo

I can find a place in town for $600/mo as soon as my lease is up in march ( 2 bed 1 bath)

I also hunt and fish for almost 300 lbs of meat a year ( the less meat I have to buy) things have gotten alot easier since fuel dropped so low, I dont really spend that much on fuel anymore (those are personal bills not company fuel) but I kept it there because I dont know if fuel is going to stay at $1.60 a gallon.

$3000/mo is alot easier to live on, but at $2,000 per month for a family of four you basically get all your tax money back and then some extra of someone else's tax money (child credit and EIC) har!

Right now we are pulling in like $2400 a month, but we have a bunch of unexpected (not normal bills to handle for a while like some medical stuff etc) and well heck it's winter, havent had a project to do in a month!

We just got our first snow a few hours ago that was even worth having the town trucks out on the road. Suppose by the end of the week end there will be some kind of snow work... we will proabbly get 1 foot by the end of sunday between these three days from what it sounds like.

[hoskm01]

some extra of someone else's tax money (child credit and EIC) har!




Sounds like typical government program leach BS. At least youre not on welfare.

[ARGOS]

$2000 a month? Sometimes my food bill is $1400. Forget it.

[bicmudpuppy]

$2000 a month? Sometimes my food bill is $1400. Forget it.

Its not THAT bad here, but sometimes..........feeding a defensive lineman is a chore most can relate to, BUT when "lil' sis" leaves him in the dust at the dinner table!!!! It takes all I make to keep beans on the table sometimes. Fortunately, we like Frijoles and tortillas :)

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Living on $2,000 a month:

No car payment
No credit card payments.

Rent is $800/mo
Food $250/mo
Power/heat $ 100/mo
Fuel $150/mo
Phone $75/mo
Car Insurance $125/mo
Saving for the unexepected (car repairs etc) $200/mo
Direct Tv $50/mo
Misc stuff $200/mo

Total $2000/mo

I can find a place in town for $600/mo as soon as my lease is up in march ( 2 bed 1 bath)

I also hunt and fish for almost 300 lbs of meat a year ( the less meat I have to buy) things have gotten alot easier since fuel dropped so low, I dont really spend that much on fuel anymore (those are personal bills not company fuel) but I kept it there because I dont know if fuel is going to stay at $1.60 a gallon.

$3000/mo is alot easier to live on, but at $2,000 per month for a family of four you basically get all your tax money back and then some extra of someone else's tax money (child credit and EIC) har!

Right now we are pulling in like $2400 a month, but we have a bunch of unexpected (not normal bills to handle for a while like some medical stuff etc) and well heck it's winter, havent had a project to do in a month!

We just got our first snow a few hours ago that was even worth having the town trucks out on the road. Suppose by the end of the week end there will be some kind of snow work... we will proabbly get 1 foot by the end of sunday between these three days from what it sounds like.

My zero gravity recliner chair that I sleep in broke so I'm having a sleepless night. No medical insurance? That is a monthly expense. We can definitely live cheaper though. When I went through my divorce I had my food bill down to 3 bucks a day. All beans and rice and no meat or cheese. I rent a room out in my house for 550.00 mo. Pays for all the extra stuff like Hi Speed internet, HDTV satellite. Want real cheap the best deal going is our National Forest and BLM land. Set up a tent and hike your life away. I figure with a 25 mpg vehicle and only having to move every 14 days assuming you give up all amenities in life you could easily get it under 1000/mo. Shoot I may just rent out my whole house.

On Argos point. When times get tough selling must go up. This is when you learn how much you like doing what you do. Gaining any minor competitive edge through knowledge or whatever will stick with you the rest of your life. having gone through two of these I've learned to never take a customer for granted. I'm convinced many of my better customers called me because they knew life goes on and I want Peter still going when we get out of this mess. LOYALTY LOYALTY LOYALTY. It's the great staying power of any business. Creating loyalty is an acquired talent. Some get it some don't.

We have tough times in Texas. We just have a different attitude about it. We call it BUILDING CHARACTER.

[Wet_Boots]

Zero Gravity Recliner Chair? Sounds cool. Do you watch episodes of Captain Video while reclining?


http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:EhvnWixtDgnWJM:http://www.slick-net.com/space/video/rugani/cv48x102.jpg

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Zero Gravity Recliner Chair? Sounds cool. Do you watch episodes of Captain Video while reclining?


http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:EhvnWixtDgnWJM:http://www.slick-net.com/space/video/rugani/cv48x102.jpg

One of these. Doubt they have them in prison.

http://www.lafumafurniture.com/Lafuma-RSX-recliner.pro

My back gets so bad I can't sleep straight anymore. I shoot for a 6 hour restful sleep. eventually you want to start twisting and turning and I think that is how I ruin them.

[Wet_Boots]

Bummer on the back pain. I still manage with a plain firm BeautyRest.

[Mike Leary]

It can be done on 2K, but all your ducks have to be lined up; I'm close to that now.

[Wet_Boots]

Keep your enemies close, and your ducks closer....

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/559/duckhumperbc4.jpg