imschur Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 We had been going balls to the wall for about 3 years steady then suddenly the phone stopped ringing last month. This is tough on the folks used to the overtime involved with 60-72 hour work weeks. How about your job? Hope its a small blip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKSHEEP Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Busy as a bee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt.Cross Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Ya know it's really strange, the demand for electricity just never goes away.... <dontknow> Actually, I've been on strictly 40 hour weeks since the beginning of May... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Pretty busy, though most summers we are working crews six days a week...and I've only done two Saturdays this year. Surveying rides along with a lot of other trades. If there are no projects being designed or built...our load goes way down. There's always the good ol neighborly lot line dispute...but we don't touch those. Our main gig was large neighborhoods of 1000 houses or so at a time. There's only a couple of those going down here right now. Been getting into high(er) rise buildings and high definition 3D scanning. So many possibilities with the scanner. I wish the office would put together some more of these videos. This stuff was done as quick samples. We have had some sweet projects lately with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Work has finally picked up in Chicago.Almost everyone is working Mech. outfit I'm with has a new hospital coming out of the ground,should go 2 yrs.Alot of work around the U of Chi. campus.Old post office downtown got a developer should be a 5 yr. project in phases.Talk of a new highrise on the Chi. river.Some Euro outfit is lookin to build railcars,if it comes here we will build them.Money is finally loosening up to finace projects that have been pending.4 more winters.I look at it this way,flatbeds loaded with sissor lifts,boom lifts,tower cranes and crawlers are the pluse of the building trades.Ironworkers are busy.Lots of steel beams,joists,A/C package units,Chillers and rebar on flatbeds.Better times are coming back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microgunner Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Slow season for us. Been playing on the computer most of the day lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 perpetually banging my head against a wall, but only because I've overdone it on part time jobs. full time job doing software development plus data warehouse consulting that has been busier than usual lately, then a content and newsletter management part time for a bodybuilding website and then now doing some marketing and customer service and other stuff for Shadow Ops Weaponry. I've got more job than time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrtMA Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 (edited) We had been going balls to the wall for about 3 years steady then suddenly the phone stopped ringing last month. This is tough on the folks used to the overtime involved with 60-72 hour work weeks. How about your job? Hope its a small blip It definately sucks if you want the extra work and can't get it. I could literally work double shifts of extra work 6-7 days a week if I wanted but I'd just be saving up for a divorce if I did that. I've been working alot though since May. I'd say 65-75 hrs per week. Given that I have a state job, it is nice to have the security but some of the extra roadwork we do on highways is such a waste and completely unnecessary. Edited August 10, 2013 by jrtmasp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 I am retired, and I do not miss working I am a bum now just fish ,shoot, fish , eat sleep rum and coke rinse and repeat..... cheers to all you hard workers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 God bless all the retirees,long healthy,happy retirement.All of you deserve it. <thumbsup> Hope I see that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 I am retired, and I do not miss working I am a bum now just fish ,shoot, fish , eat sleep rum and coke rinse and repeat..... cheers to all you hard workers... I envy you:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Im in that rock/hardplace where I need more hours but I hate my job so bad I just clock out as soon as I can every day. There's a $2/hr promotion sitting on the table and 4 of us eligible to take it...and everyone has refused it because it requires more face time with management and corporate. I just kill myself working 2 jobs instead of milking the overtime. Really need to get into something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy1600 Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Assholes are plentiful! Business is good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrtMA Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Im in that rock/hardplace where I need more hours but I hate my job so bad I just clock out as soon as I can every day. There's a $2/hr promotion sitting on the table and 4 of us eligible to take it...and everyone has refused it because it requires more face time with management and corporate. I just kill myself working 2 jobs instead of milking the overtime. Really need to get into something new. My father had a similar mindset. He stayed in the union at GMC and avoided the promotions to avoid having to get involved in corporate matters and once people leave they open themselves to getting fired at the drop of a dime. Keep your eyes open for something better, brother. The life is too short adage applies. Good luck with whatever happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayronachan Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Rural eastern NC. My boss is a contractor and is always busy. Unfortunately the quality of workers and jobs has declined since 2008, and not recovered. Housing here is still weak, the boss thinks it could get weaker. Lately it has taken longer, and gotten harder to collect final payment. Some malls have noticable vacancies (4 to 7), although, I have seen a little new commercial constrution in those same towns. I manage, and own some rentals. In the last 2 months 80% of rents are now behind, and vacancies are up. People are moving back in with family. Honestly...I'm waiting for the next financial crisis to try and buy more real estate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 That is what kills contractors and subs alike,getting payed.On the job dealing with change orders," I'll sign make the change" then you'r in court lucky to get a dime on the dollar.Many guys have tried to hang thier own shingle and air out houses.You put in the equipment the homeowner won't pay.Can't remove equipment [laws on their side] and you lose you'r ass.Big job small job same game,only some big guys can wait it out.Little guys gets wiped out.Worked for an out of town contractor that had been in bussiness for over 100 yrs. only to close the doors because they could not get payed.Many want to work for the city/government juciy contract.Downside is waiting for payment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Gov and prevailing wage stuff can be the hardest of all to collect. They like to change the rates and publish them 2 months later. Then turn a whole group of people loose to review your records and hold your payment until you play their BS game for under paying employees for the last two months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayronachan Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 @unforgiven, "You put in the equipment the homeowner won't pay.Can't remove equipment [laws on their side] and you lose you'r ass." Exactly. At this point we are thinking of getting the full payment up front, or in escrow, even for the smaller jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) ^^^ Godd luck brother,sounds like a plan.The kicker is the people that stiff ya on the install are people with money.Like it was the plan all along.Thier mentality is "fuk it take me to court".WTF.Thats why I don't do side jobs,not worth the aggravation. Edited August 15, 2013 by unforgiven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mineralman55 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Things in the oil patch have been very slow for a few years (thank you obummer), but in the last couple months we've been doing a lot of preparatory work for new drills anticipated in 2015 and beyond. This is good, as it takes a couple years for an extensive drilling program to be designed and fleshed out. There are a number of drill ships (some brand new) lined up to return to the Gulf shortly, so new drilling is assured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) Steady it's always been steady.but when poop slows down they always find something to do. My boss/ owner of the company has been talking retirement for 5-6? Years finally 2 years ago he "retired" he's still part of the company it's all he has. He's given up all his hobbies for work. Saturday or Sunday he had a mild stroke, no one could get ahold of him Saturday nor does he remember the day. Sunday he tried driving to our secretary's house (his life partner). Seeing him the past few days has been sad like he's not there or scared. It's scary he has taken a lot of us in and taught us what we know and for the most part taken pretty damn good care of us. Edited August 15, 2013 by shepp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Sounds like a good guy.Coming to terms with one mortality is not easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 This is my "work". Pic was from earlier in the year when we were going 24x7 non-stop. July came and everything died. Like you guys, we're hoping is a blip too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.