Buisness this year vs. last year? Better/worse?

We seem to be about the same amount of jobs so far this year , as last. Yet the overhead, especially with materials, is taking a way bigger bite out of profits. I am glad I up-dated all our older trucks a couple years ago, because I couldn't afford to do so now. The weather has been more rain than usual also, but the heat has not been a problem either , as usual, so I guess it all balances out. I am considering raising prices, but I don't want to lose jobs to the point of laying people off. So, it's a wheel , like in a hampster cage, just keep running , and end up with at least good exercise.>>>

So far this year compared to last year have brought in more money but have done less jobs. A lot of the jobs we didn't have time for last Fall were large steep homes that were carried over into this Spring. Still have a few of those to do though.

Another thing that has changed is a smaller crew and I'm on the job more this year than last year.>>>

So far, mostly the same.>>>

Well we lowered our price from $300 per sq. to the Earl Schieb One Time Special Deal of $199, any pitch, any # of layers, any color.

It is working out really well as we can now do the whole roof @ 1.1 m/hrs. per sq. w/ a 7 man crew :P>>>

We are holding our own and that is saying a lot in Michigan. Time will tell!>>>

We were dead to the water last year and the year before so to say this year is better is an understatement. We had a lot of minor storms in the spring plus its been raining a lot all year since January. Were not getting rich or anything but it has been better in 09.>>>

We are gaining ground on last year at the moment, but our backlog is not huge. Very busy at the moment, in fact, busier than I have people to do the work. It was a rough start to the year.

You mentioned trucks, I bought 5 new ones last year, and I really wish I had that cash right now.>>>

Your question made me go to my Quickbooks report page.

My total receipts are up about 2% from this time last year. Cost of goods sold up about 5%. Insurance up about 4%. Unemployement insurance up 68%! Profit down about 75%

All in all it is a normal year as far as work goes but our backlog is only about 4 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks. We are getting plenty of leads. Calls are up and we have done a lot more repair work this year. But getting jobs in is a whole bunch tougher. More people seem to be price shopping and so many quotes are alarming low. I know of one guy whose account at the supplier has been frozen due to being so far behind on paying his bill. I am not too encouraged at all about the economy. All the articles that I read trying to make people believe that we are coming out of this recession make me laugh. It's going to be a long time before the economy gets better and no amount of spin is going to make it any better. I am glad I am not in the remodeling trade because all of the guys that I talk to are hurting for work. Slower than they have ever been and worried about a long winter that is coming before you know it.>>>