How much of your profession

[bctbct]

I am a carpenter by trade. There isnt a family member, neighbor, friend, or friend of a friend of a friend that hasnt asked about my services.

In my younger years I would work all the time never charging family members or friends, usually giving neighbors and friends of friends discounts. Now I dread working over 40 hours, except for family.

What types of things do you guys do away from the job?

 

[Darwin333]

Originally posted by: bctbct
I am a carpenter by trade. There isnt a family member, neighbor, friend, or friend of a friend of a friend that hasnt asked about my services.

In my younger years I would work all the time never charging family members or friends, usually giving neighbors and friends of friends discounts. Now I dread working over 40 hours, except for family.

What types of things do you guys do away from the job?

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am a project manager/estimator for a commercial roofing company. Many years ago I actually did some field work but the only time I go on a roof is to measure it or make sure the guys are progressing on budget.

I have gotten 4 in-laws and friends ever bit of material for their roof for FREE. From the shingles, felt, nails, vents etc...

It has never failed, I will get a call on Sunday morning asking for a bit of help. The supposedly did all of the hard work they just need some help nailing the shingles. Since I loaned them compressors and nail guns it shouldn't be a big deal, right? Hell no, I show up and they have the old shingles off, the felt nailed, and a big ass stack of bundles of shingles on the DAMNED GROUND! I offered them all to call in a favor and get a shingle truck out to roof load them but NO they can take care of that. Then on Sunday when I can't call out a truck they figure out exactly how heavy shouldering bundles of shingles up a ladder are and call me.

Now I take a weekend "vacation" whenever I get someone materials. Nailing shingles isn't so bad but I don't even make MY crews carry them up a ladder anymore.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Darwin333


I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am a project manager/estimator for a commercial roofing company. Many years ago I actually did some field work but the only time I go on a roof is to measure it or make sure the guys are progressing on budget.

I have gotten 4 in-laws and friends ever bit of material for their roof for FREE. From the shingles, felt, nails, vents etc...

It has never failed, I will get a call on Sunday morning asking for a bit of help. The supposedly did all of the hard work they just need some help nailing the shingles. Since I loaned them compressors and nail guns it shouldn't be a big deal, right? Hell no, I show up and they have the old shingles off, the felt nailed, and a big ass stack of bundles of shingles on the DAMNED GROUND! I offered them all to call in a favor and get a shingle truck out to roof load them but NO they can take care of that. Then on Sunday when I can't call out a truck they figure out exactly how heavy shouldering bundles of shingles up a ladder are and call me.

Now I take a weekend "vacation" whenever I get someone materials. Nailing shingles isn't so bad but I don't even make MY crews carry them up a ladder anymore.

I hate to ask, but I am going to do my roof soon.

 

[skyking]

I'm an equipment operator, and it comes in handy quite often. My boss lets me use any of the equipment I want, dump truck, two excavators, dozer, backhoe.
I don't take advantage of that unless he gets some benefit. My neighbors have all helped in one way or another with repairs on the equipment for example.
One neighbor gets me metal roof for just about free, and has a wonderful woodshop of tools that he insist I use.
He did not even pay for the topsoil last time
Another neighbor does fantastic drywall and finish carpentry. Life is good