Thread: Builder-recession-debt-bankruptcy-

I have been in this trade over thirty years and have been a member of the FMB Federation of master builders and employed others at times.I worked through the 80s when 500000 construction workers lost their jobs [didnt get mentioned much].Went through the 90s 200000 went.Now this one but i have noticed a slight difference.I usually work for the over 50s but even this market is suffering.Recently advertised for a month and got one call.Got the job but they had 6 estimates- only think i got the job by asking them to come and look at my work.
Been finding it hard for a year or two and got in debt -went subprime and other credit,ended up reppossessed and all the other things that go with debt-nearly at the baliff stage-but am going bankruptshortly hopefully.Health suffers -we all know sleepless nights whos at the door-on the phone that kind of thing. Certainly wears you down.Family suffers-cant have much -clothes- quality food everything.So work is one week then break for two that kind of thing.Ends up behind with council tax and other things.So after this job i am going to sign on-only worry is 1 in3 over 50s is out of work.I know some builders are doing ok and wish them well perhaps they will reply to this whether they are doing ok or not.Be glad of a few replys.Will try again next year unless miracle happens.Wish everyone well Tawnyowl.

hi tawnyowl. just read your post. i am not a builder, but run a butty van so have many coming there. believe me there are loads struggling. builders, flaggers, kitchen fitters, even beer line cleaning companies. i am in the north west and its grim.
companies around me seem to only be employing poles. people are very down at the moment but getting very angry. i know what your saying about over fifties...i am one of them, but its not an age thing. i have kids of 17 desperate for work, lads with yound families, and older people. its no longer an age thing. its theres no jobs full stop anymore. working people seem to be getting to the end of what they will put up with now.
good luck and kind regards marie

Thankyou for your post-suppose you hear a lot having a butty van.Trying to get a picture from all ages occupations about whats going on.Feel like ive failed -but putting that to the back of my mind.Trying to come up with some strategy to keep working.As you say it seems all ages are being affected.Anger yes but who to blame-whole economy seems to have been running on debt-or built on debt for years.Everyone seems to be upto the hilt.Anyone let me know how you feel-if youre doing well-good .Gizzas a job.Whatever you do butcher baker or cabinetmaker tell us the word on the street and how its feeling.Sometimes you feel youre the only one-think you know what i mean.As a scaffolder said to me the other day- this time the sxxxx really hit the fan-is he right.Marie keep the bacon frying.Interesting post.

Hi Tawny, I'm self-employed too and luckily my business is still growing through the recession (although not quickly enough and I did have a big dip last year). You haven't failed, this is the start of a new phase in your life and the fact you are on here goes to show you are doing something about it.

Hello miss trollope -nice to hear someone is managing to increase business during these difficult times,what area of business are you in.Maybe best to keep it top secret.The people i have talked to lately-i think the one whos business couldnt cope with the demand even with another ten men their job was clearing out repossessed houses for mortgage companys.Another who seemed to be ok were two teachers-said their jobs were secure .I have just been to a sandwich shop for breakfast they say they are happy to just break even-never mind any serious profit.The impression i am getting so far is that a lot of people are just hanging on,which i would think not that good for your health-but what options are there. Hello rippedoffagain-cant beat the look of a house that has new fences and decking must make you and your customers happy when you stand back and admire the new look-must frustrate you at the moment the way things are.What would your position be if your wife wasnt working.If you have a mortgage i find it strange there isnt much help but if you moved next door and rented it would be paid.I suppose you feel like a caged lion at the moment.
Ive got another slight worry at the moment-i live in a seaside town that has been struggling for a while but had a good easter and due to the exchange rate is expecting a good season.What happens if this swine flu takes off-feel it may be a case of will the last person out turn the light off.
Enjoying reading your experiances off ups and downs and ridding myself of the feeling of am i the only one feeling and the failed feeling although spotting weaknesses in my ex business.I resigned as managing director in october.Just a employee now and thats how i like it.
Looking forward to more peoples talk of what its like at the moment.Tawnyowl

Hello hallowitch-hope your family arent made redundant,husband-cv dont blame him,35 years working bet he cant put all the things down he knows.Think 35 yrs exp says it all.If i finish work i will be polishing my fishing rods.As your husband has ive done 35 yrs-no shame if it happens-tried -just that when youve allways worked its hard to slow down,cv is not for me-dont need one,never needed one -snap.Bye for now take care-Tawnyowl.

mmm-look for a retired builder would be happy to be feel wanted.Having said that the way things are going 90 will be my retirement age.Maybe a bit of help will come soon.I hear the storys all the time of people not turning up or ridiculous prices.Maybe this will help. You will need to lift the uneven ones. A spade under to lever them up is best. Take your time, dig out loose material and lay a weak and dryish concrete mix a couple of inches lower than the neighbouring sub base.
Then place a stronger mortar mix about 4 sharp sand to 1 cement to set the flag into. Tap level with a block of wood and a lump hammer. If the drive does not carry a vehicle you can use five dollops of mortar, four at the corner and one in the middle.
If you do two or three at a time over a reasonable spell you will nibble the job off without getting a hernia. MMM-Getting visions.

My son has just chose his classes for next year at school and has chosen construction

Does the colleges and schools need teachers, you have the skills, just an idea

Different now.Maybe have a lifetime of experiance but you need the paper qualifications nowadays which is the right way to go.Hopefully your son will gain these and go on to have a fantastic career.Working outside all my life is all i ever wanted.My possible failure which may come was when the good times were here i thought they wouldnt end-even though deep down i knew they would.Survival instinct has kicked in now and i am using everything i have learnt to hang in there-well see what happens.Good luck to your son.How are you managing in these tough challenging times.Have you a story to tell.

Thinking about things-lets see-small businesss-how hard is it. 1--BUSINESS accounts-banks will not release their rip off fees-tried that one. 2 -PAPERWORK-Woe betide you if you fall behind with that. 3-QUALITY-Provide that,to much and youre not competative. 4-Take the time to train someone -costing you money,the chances are they will be your competition next year prob claiming 20 years experience. 5-Advertise-Newspaper sales are falling advertising is expensive-how much of your market are you reaching. 6-Im not racist at all but the poles -ive worked with them-good lads come here,dont blame them-im looking myself for a country where i can earn 5 times as much-but they cost people jobs who have mortgages etc.I have seen it happen. 7-Excuse my rambling im just waiting for one of your storys of the recession- downturn-credit crunch call it what you like to appear.What have you heard seen or hows it affecting you. 8-But you cant beat being selfemployed the buzz it gives you even if you earn next to nowt.Are we still a nation of shopkeepers.Any shopkeepers about.Whats it like.Interested.Tawnyowl

Any shopkeeper storys.How are you doing.I believe the famous KxC has actually expanded during the reccession.How are you doing.

KFC just in case anyones wondering.Ihave only just realised what my above post could have been mistaken for-Kensington mortgage company.

Hi tawnyowl

I run a family business (building related) the past 18 months has been terrible for us. I cant afford to advertise much and am having to diversify. This week my 2 electricians have been cleaning and re-pointing a patio!!

I used to use a web site where you pay for leads, but other tradesmen are doing anything to undercut each other and its not worth it anymore.

I am not sure how much longer we can carry on - worst thing is I employ 2 of my sons.

The kind of jobs we do usually mean the client has to raise finance for it - in the current climate thats very diffucult.

Lets all hope things improve soon

cas

Hello Cas93-I share the pain you must be feeling.I understand the diversifying-survival.But somehow you have to carry on.I hope you find your way through this turmoil.Please keep posting-it seems so hard.I am getting a feel for things now the position people are in.You feel so alone but slowly through talking you begin to realise how things are.I think we sometimes have to much pride and bottle things up.Tawnyowl.