Work quiet at the moment?

[peterhyper]

The past month or two so has been noticeably quieter than its been for years. I have enough work to keep me going for a while and I'm chilled about it even if the work stops because I have lots of jobs to catch up with in my own house, and enough in my piggy bank to keep my going.

Could it be that my customers have finally sussed out that I ain't a great spark and are going elsewhere, or have others also noticed their phone isn't ringing as much lately?

 

[Octopus]

The schools break up around now so the summer quiet spell has really begun ... that said, it’s only new customers not calling as much .....

 

[astormatt]

I had a very quiet spell about 6 weeks back, luckily, or unluckily, my mate bought a house that needed a full rewire so i have been busy with that.
Mates rates and me (very) underestimating timescales has left me, not out of pocket, but a very undesirable day rate!
I have been in my own for nearly 4 years and this is only my 4th rewire.....I usually avoid if i can....
I have a very nice contract with a local private school which usually see’s me there for around 7 weeks or more over the summer doing upgrades and general maintenance and new installs while the kids are on summer holiday.
Got a message Monday, bursar ran out of money until 1st September so i am not to go in!
Bugger!!! Luckily i have a 2 massive office blocks to test which will keep me busy for the next 3-4 weeks so all is not too bad.
Got a lot in the book for September as usually busy with the school work so not that worried....

 

[SJD]

In this situation, the bursar of a school I do work at asks me to go in, but send the bill on or after 1/Sep.

 

[astormatt]

I have booked them in for the last few weeks of August so i can invoice them on the 31st (Friday) ready for the following week when funds are available.
Obviously, unlike yourself, i am not in a position to do 7 weeks work and not get a penny....
Rather earn a bit each week to be honest.

 

[happysteve]

It's just been ramping up and up for me, has been since about March. I'm taking bookings for early September onwards, and have a couple of folks on my reserve list in case I get a couple of hours free before then. I find it very difficult to say no, but I'm learning and have done so, turning down a couple of jobs I know I wouldn't have time to do.

I'm putting my rates up by 10% in Sept.

 

[rapparee]

Busy Fool

I'm paid by the hour. I don't mind.

I'm loving it if to tell you the truth. We're installing new machines

Are you still working on shifts?

 

[ruston]

I'm working 70 hours a week at the minute

Is there overtime if you want it.

 

[rapparee]

Is there overtime if you want it.

There actually is, but I don't want to start Sunday's as well

I have to draw the line somewhere

 

[ruston]

It was a standing joke on our site at inception for the new starters- 12 hours a day seven days a week , but there is overtime if you want it!
There was too if someone did not turn in for change over.
Those were the days.

 

[rapparee]

It was a standing joke on our site at inception for the new starters- 12 hours a day seven days a week , but there is overtime if you want it!
There was too if someone did not turn in for change over.
Those were the days.

Yeah, that's the running gag with us too. Start at 6am come 7pm the boss is giving off about us running away home early

We joke that we have to get a special pass-out to leave so early.

 

[PEG]

Busy here in Manc,all me pals in the various trades are rammed too...

Heating up,with people spending more than they have,and in the hope of more...also,lots of folk firing money into house projects and purchases,with a hope of what they will be worth in five years...this is a worry.

Seen this in the lead up to 2007,and it feels a faster run-up.

I feel a correction is in the air,but the last couple proved to be personally beneficial,so bring it on

 

[MDJ]

Are you still working on shifts?

depends on whether I want work or not, I can take it or leave it, I sometimes work 3-4 days or nights and then take a fortnight or sometimes a month off, I could work 70 hours a week like you if I wanted to but only go in when I feel like it, I am lucky the oportunity is there, that said I could retire tomorrow and not worry.

 

[rapparee]

depends on whether I want work or not, I can take it or leave it, I sometimes work 3-4 days or nights and then take a fortnight or sometimes a month off, I could work 70 hours a week like you if I wanted to but only go in when I feel like it, I am lucky the oportunity is there, that said I could retire tomorrow and not worry.

Well that's the thing, you already have your money made by the sounds of things.

I would be surprised your employer could be bothered with the casual nature of your attendance. Does he not need a consistent guy to turn up every day and do a job.

What happens for the month you take off. Does production suffer?

I have been jokingly told that I am not even allowed to get sick let alone take a holiday.

 

[MDJ]

Made money yes, lots of work and staff so my absense although missed isn't the end of the world, production doesn't suffer really, maintenance, sometimes busy, sometimes chaos, usually very quiet, fire watching really, also I supervise or fill out H&S forms, not manual work anymore, I am passed that now.

 

[EalingBadger]

...Seen this in the lead up to 2007,and it feels a faster run-up.

I feel a correction is in the air...

Interesting.

A construction guy I know made pretty well the same comment, word for word, to me only yesterday.