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[Les H]

Hi guys, in case you didnt know, im a self employed building contractor. Its taken a long time, but i have carved a niche for myself here in upstate Ny. Most of my work is $3-10k, that is, bigger than a handyman, but smaller and more personal than a large construction co.
Apparently, we, as a nation , are having a banner year for natural disasters, floods , tornados, etc. When Katrina hit, my brother worked in insurance ( national company), and told me of some of the unbelievable claims that came in, saying that I should throw my tools in my truck and boot, scoot and boogie for the gulf coast. I can't afford to "retire" in anything like the traditional sense, I will have to work. If I am ever going to hit the road, I will have to work , at least some. (And if I can work, it might help nudge the wife..)
PLEASE! Please do not let this deteriorate into a bashing of unethical, fly by night, shoddy work that some no good sons of €£^*+£€ 's are doing , charging top dollar for , then taking off. I do a good job , at a fair price, and don't have to advertise , at all. Not even job signs or phone number on the truck. All word of mouth, and I can give you a list a mile long of ways that customers want me to charge less and cut corners, or skip out on paying alltogether.
What I want to know is this - is it realistic to think I might travel doing odd jobs, disaster rebuilds, or insurance or real-estate maintenance ( re max is nationwide, for one). I have a dba, insurance ( lots !) and a degree and certifications, and tools . And a super strong urge to travel .Anyone know the legalities? Pros / cons? Be nice, there are bums in every profession.
Thanks,
Les

 

[Guest]

I think you should/could do just that...do I know anything about it? Nope but I think are an ethical guy and would do well at it....<br>Just sayin'<br>Brfi<br><br>

 

[oldnjung]

Hi Les,<br>Wish I had your skills and experience. I have volunteered to build "homes" in Tijuana a couple of times. What we would call a nice concrete floored "chicken coop" is a step up for people there. Hardworking people too. Clothes and kids&nbsp;always clean. Hand washed every day with no electricity or running water. Blue tarps and plywood&nbsp;with three generations sometimes.<br>I hope to do&nbsp;volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity someday. They are everywhere. You might make some connections that lead to paid work all over the country. Good Luck.<br>jb<br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

les, i wish i could be more help, but don't have much knowledge about this sort of thing. what i do know is your good heart and that i would trust you implicitly in anything. i would say if anyone could do it, you would be the one.<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>and it makes sense to me, that the need is out there. it just takes resourceful people to meet that need....</div>

 

[karl]

Les-<br>&nbsp;my construction business supported me pretty much the same way...even when I uprooted and moved 150 mi.- once a few good people knew me, I had work and never advertised. <br>Based on my experience of restarting a business- Realitors&nbsp; can be your best friend, especially if there is something in it for them. They have seen it all, and they know a ton of people.<br>I think things may be a bit tougher today, but back in the '80's I knew a guy who traveled with his family for at least three years- signing on to construction crews ( often as a Lead) for periods of two weeks to two months ( I have a hunch he neglected to mention he was not planning on staying long) that way he didn't need insurance, tons of tools, etc....of course he was not his own boss, which I have a hunch you&nbsp; like to be in charge of what you put your hands and heart to.....I do.<br>Insurance on the road is going to be a pain, especially since the rules change in some areas and insurers tend to be greedy IMHO. YMMV.<br>Licensing too may be an issue.....if the jobs are small (most likely) and you have no advertising and look like Joe Handyperson, you may slide by quite well.<br>Beware of pissing off the local contractors- just being there can do that. Contractors most often are very&nbsp; territorial, but I bet you know that.<br> Retiree communities or small burbs can be a treasure- often a small job on a street or MH park can lead to several others- usually on an upward scale of size- I once spent nearly a year in one MH park- building decks, storage buildings, roofs,&nbsp; car ports, garages, patios, ramps, interior accessability&nbsp; eating and bath areas- it seemed that each wanted to out do the neighbor. The more diversified you are the better.<br>The key i think is trust- you need the trust of one person who "knows people" and is considered trustworthy themselves to get the best projects with decent folks. <br>I'm thinking small town, as that is where I prefer to be...but that key person may be<br>realitor<br>small business owner (local auto parts distributors are usually friendly and know folks)<br>Property maintenance ( many sub work)<br>Condo supers<br>MH park agents<br><br>I'd steer clear of government agencies- the fine print will bury a mobile person.<br>Sorry for the ramble<br>short answer is "with the right attitude and honesty, anything can be manifested"<br><br>

 

[Les H]

Karl, that was pretty much my guess, but you added some validation to thoughts I had. My insurance is through Erie, a nationwide insurer, so I should be good there. Small town building inspectors can be a nightmare, that is for sure. Where I live , there is town of Catskill and village of Catskill , both have a different inspector! And I hear you onthe knowing of one person... I have one or two of them, thankfully. I was around for the building boom of the 80's/90's, and , sadly, I think you are right, the days of quitting, grabbing your gear and going next door ( at .50 mor an hour) are long gone. I have heard that some states require you to change your plates and get contractors liscense/permit after 3-4 weeks, Fla comes to mind. I was wondering if there was anyone doing what I have in mind. I can see govt. work being a real hassle, but the realiters might be a real angle to persue. Thanks for the input.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Guest]

Hi Les, Just an anecdote for you....I met a couple on my way back up to Alaska the year before I retired that lived in a motorhome, pulled a small pickup with two kayaks on top and bicycles on the rear, and a small TW200 Yammy bike in between. They had&nbsp; sold a small construction business in the East and hit the road working for mostly government installations. They were finding tons of work with a nice spot to park all over the country. She was writing a book on just how they did that.<br>When I met them they were coming from a long term job refinishing housing in what was then the new Mojave National monument...the NPS took over an old DOT compound and they worked on several homes and office buildings there.<br>They were on their way to Skagway and the Klondike Goldrush National Historical Monument (the site of my first seasonal NPS job) ready for whatever it held in store....this one may have been a volunteer job but I think it has a nice stipend....<br>Bri<br>

 

[Guest]

One more anecdote Les was the guy that Mar hired while she was passing through Quartzsite, AZ....he lived in his RV in a RV Park there and had small signs up all over.<br>She needed a small job done and he just asked her where she was...visiting with Mike, Heidi and I....and he drove out turned to on her job and she paid him...off he went....<br><br>So there are all&nbsp; kinds of niches for a guy to find work...<br><br>I think it is just a matter of readying yourselves, letting one door close and have the faith another will open....watch out for the hall tho. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> <br><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[CP]

Les,<br>Here in California any construction bids over $500.00 need to have a contractors license except doing work on federal government land.&nbsp; Also, the police will harass anyone carrying tools and /or seen leaving a job with out of state plates.&nbsp; The state has a requirement to get the proper plates and drivers license within something around 15 days of starting work. <br><br>

 

[Guest]

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[karl]

<br>"I think it is just a matter of readying yourselves, letting one door close and have the faith another will open....watch out for the hall tho. <img src="../images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">"<br><br>Well said Bri<br><br>Many times we try forcing those doors- if they are meant to open, they will.<br>Les, I think one is opening for you right now. Our Worlds operate in ways we don't always understand.<br>