Anyone else notice....

Anyone else notice customers geting tighter with their bucks? I haven't had any collection problems-yet. But my little streak of naming my price and having the customer glad I could squeeze them in ended about two months ago. I'm starting to think Barry was lying about this recovery thing.

Yes, but my world was flipped after 2009. Before '09 we were one of the top 3-4 roofing companies in 100 miles. We kept 12-16 guys busy(which I don't miss) and now we have about 5, me & Dad. We used to figure jobs and then add a few hundred or more for fun. Then we had a huge storm hit, and we blew up even more.

Until 2 years later. Now the work trickles. Two big agencies moved in and advertise on EVERYTHING. We still get work, and some at good rates, but not near as many. Every other job I've got to compare to insurance bid, and/or those corporations. I did just do a $3,500 repair on one of their roofs(it was hilarious), but the other one may be putting out decent work.

We just trickle along now. Feast or famine. First time in years and years we've had guys on unemployment other than in the winter. Bad thing is, we didn't prepare for slow times, quite the opposite actually. Don't have the money to advertise, but I don't think it would help. People still won't pay, and I'll just have more time in running bids.

SO, we have just streamlined our operations. Trying to get every dollar available, while still paying HOURLY. Half of the guys we cut now work about 60 miles from here for $12/hr, and one is the "foreman". We used to buy lunches and soda every day, but no more. Trying to sell 2 dump trucks and a boom, but nobody is buying.

I came to this forum to get more knowledge and to expand my services. Things have been better, but we will carry on.

My business is growing. We are running into a few more A-holes. Weirdos have always been part of the equation.

OTOH, the media has been doing their utmost to convince the Sheople that we are all starving and will work for what's in the dumpster..... It's a little tiresome trying to overcome that....especially when too many side jobbers are happy to be working for what's in the dumpster :dry:

It seems some of receievables are slow. I have 3 that are never going to pay.....as many as in the last 22 yrs! Small jobs, but dis honest dealings nonetheless.

The days of those e-z repairs are gone. I found this out 3 yrs. ago when a lady said she was getting other estimates to.......replace a pipe boot. Those used to be automatic

We're fortunate, in that we always name our price and our customerd are happy that we can do thier project...However, the construction industry in general has been very slow, in this area, for the past four years & I would assume the status que for the next four.....