I have the 1.5 truck blues

[juniorc82]

Been pretty busy lately but I feel like stuff is kind of slipping downhill. We have a solid one truck operation however have had to run 2 trucks in the summer and occasionaly have to split up so basicly a truck and a half operation. I don't want to jump to any decisions but I am growing tempted to clean house and re staff my business to try and get it rolling in the right direction. I have one 20 yr old guy who gets about 20 -30 hrs per week who shows up on time and doesn't really complain but shows no real ambition or drive to show that he want to be more than a hose dragger. A year or so ago I brought my friend on board when he decided to go back to school and working around his school hours he may get 30-40 in the summer and maybe 20hrs a week in the other season. I knew it could be disaster hiring a friend and I have grown to have mixed reviews of our relationship.He can do a good job when he wants to, he catches on fast and is a very hard worker capable of doing most rentals restaurants and some vct work on his own.....however over the last year of us worker together our working relationship has been strained. Despite his strong work ethic he is very hard to manage and does not respond well at all to any sort of counseling of direction . To make matters worse despite me working around his school schedule he is constantly taking weekends off almost 1 weekend a month he is unavailable tending to his extravagant social life. After catching him in a small lie today and getting a customer complaint about a small janitorial account he has been in charge of for the last 2 weeks I am tempted to be done with him as well. I really need 2 helpers one full time type of guy and a grunt with a strong back available for 10 or 15 hours a week to fill in the schedule. I need to start the new guy off in the right direction and let him or her know what the expectations are and actualy get a lead tech sort of position so I can invest in someone who will eventualy work fully independently and take on some extra responsibility. What should I look for and what guide lines should I follow to make this happen? I have to keep some help on deck or the work wont get done so where do I begin to tackle this problem? Oh and yes I have come to relize hiring friends is a huge mistake!

 

[SamIam]

Ask him if he needs the job! That you can be friends when your off, but as an employee he needs to be on it all the time.

If not your gonna have to hire someone else part time to take up his slack and that means less hours for him.


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[Mikey P]

yep, start over and find much better people.

20 to 25 is your target age range.

 

[juniorc82]

I just fell into a comfort zone and have been comfortable just getting by. I really need to get motivated about growing this business and becoming something more than a contractor. I am getting married on September 28th. I am 31 and my wife is 30 so kids will be coming soon. I have been at it for about 7 years now and am exhausted. I feel like with kids coming , my wife to be having a degree in marketing, and me myself having a lot of training and being a skilled cleaner , it would be a crime to let things go down the shitter as another hack fly by night owner op thing. I am just exhausted with training people. I think I will have to bite the bullet and pay out a little bit more so I can expect more. Should be a buyers market on labor as a factory of 500 jobs just closed in my town and there will be plenty of people in need of work.

 

[Shane Deubell]

The easiest way is to set very specific $$$ goals for yourself and use problem solving to accomplish them step by step.

Get a piece of paper and start asking questions.

1. How much net $$ do I want to make?
2. How much gross $$ do i need to get there?
3. How much money can i invest on a monthly basis?
4. How many total hours i am willing to work?
5. What hours/days i am willing work?
6. How do i like to work ? physical labor, selling, office
7.What are MY unique strengths?
8. What are my competitors weaknesses?
9.How can i take advantage of them?

Once you figure out very specifically what it is you personally want, then start plugging in ways to get there. Nobody can answer these questions for someone else, contractors run into problems when they try to "emulate" someone else but they don't have the same skills, so we end up wandering around in the woods.

On a day to day basis I feel 0 stress, l know exactly what my goal is and have a specific plan on how to reach it. Just keep grinding it out a little bit everyday, yeah some days its a mess. Like today...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Set reasonable (achievable) goals and the break them down as to what is needed to accomplish them.

As you get busy and caught up in the "Thick of Thin Things", you will! Take time to look back at your plan what have you completed on the list towards your goals. What can you do to stay on task?

I set reoccurring reminders in my Outlook, sometimes I put them to sleep, sometimes I delete them but Outlook keeps me from completely forgetting them and getting lost in the ocean of "thin things".

I'd start first with deciding which path you want to take. You've mentioned apartments and student housing before. If this is who you want to be them devise your plan around that. You've also mentioned you wanted out of the porn floors business, leave them out of your plan if you truly don't want that work.

What about residential? Large Commercial? Water Damage? VCT (you already have the setup for it)?

 

[hogjowl]

Here's the deal. You can't be an all around nice guy and run a business. You have to set rules and stick by them. Your "friend" is an employee who must work according to the rules and procedures you set for him. And those rules and procedures have to be consistent. I am dealing with that same issue with my only son right at this moment. Like you, I am very busy now that the economy seems to be picking up. I need a second truck NOW, and a trained employee to man it. I have that with my boy, on a good day. However, he is inconsistent and wants to bend the rules at times to cut corners. I just had a conversation with him this morning, after he failed to show up yesterday, and yesterday was an $800 day in one house. 6 hours for me, alone, in a house the size of the freaking White House, cleaning tile and grount and a mountain of carpet! All alone, because dumb ass couldn't get out of bed!

He shows up 9 out of 10 days and is a great worker, but 10% of the time, he's a goof-ball.

So, I am going to fire him. I told him so this morning. One more late morning, or no-show day, and he is gone. And, I mean it.

If I am willing to do this to my only son, imagine how I would feel about a fake friend?

I ran 3 vans in my early days and tried to be the friend of every employee I had. And, they made my life miserable. So much so, in fact, that it has taken me 20 years of solo operation to get over it and become willing to re-enter the real world of business with employees. This time around, things will be different.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Employees are easier to fire or lay off than family or friends, you don't have an emotional attachment to them. I appreciate all of our employees but like a coach on a football team I'm always looking for better players, even if for a short time.

We don't look for life time employees, some just find they enjoy the work and the people so develop into them. We look for good help for as long as they last and the culture kicks out those that are not a good fit. Our current employees are the ones that tell us right off this guy isn't going to work out or that this guy might be good but needs "this or that". We don't even have to ask, they tell us if they want them or not.

Marty don't burn any bridges, he's still young man. I'm not saying put up with his shit but let him know he will be letting himself go, not you letting him go. You only want from him what any employer is going to be asking of him.

Sadly some are better off finding that out on their own and come back better employees. So be careful and don't make it too personal, should he leave he may come back later a much more responsible employee. Remind him winter will be here soon and he can schedule days off.

 

[hogjowl]

No bridges will be burnt. He's still be showing up to eat my food and pilfer my house hold goods.

But he won't be taking any more of my business time or money if he continues to be irresponsible.

 

[SamIam]

I told my son he was gonna get fired and ripped him, it straitened him out. But if he's not in school he's working!

other then that I work around his school schedule pass classes, he screwed that up a bit and now he's paying rent till he can get his grades back up.

I'm not supporting a 3 day a week worker who plays video games the other 24-7

while I bust my butt. I need to be like Mike and get off the truck for more then 1 day a week.


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[Shane Deubell]

I am way more flexible with employees, tolerate a lot actually. Except for stealing or something with a customer.
Excessive turnover is even worse imo.

 

[juniorc82]

Im in this purgatory place in my career. I have exceeded the capabilities of what I can do on my own so being a total owner op wouldnt work. However I am not quite busy enough that I could feel comfortable offering a 40+ hour position to someone and not be a little scared about trying to find them hours in the winter , however our large vct accounts are helping with that. I am also intimidated by looking for a full timer because now that someone is depending on me to support themselves and their familys it puts an extra weight on my shoulders. However if I just keep hiring multiple part timers I feel like I will be stuck in a rut because a part time employee doesn't have any skin in the game.

 

[Russ T.]

Glad to know im not alone. My brother was a huge help to me for the month of July. He came from CO to help me through our busiest month. He left this morning. Man am I slower when im alone. I didn't really realize it until I had steady help for that month. My plan is to push through the winter alone and then look for someone to work along side me in the Spring. The right person would become my next big investment. I enjoy cleaning as much as the next guy but I've got to get out of the van sometimes if im going to grow this biz.

Russ

 

[juniorc82]

Glad to know im not alone. My brother was a huge help to me for the month of July. He came from CO to help me through our busiest month. He left this morning. Man am I slower when im alone. I didn't really realize it until I had steady help for that month. My plan is to push through the winter alone and then look for someone to work along side me in the Spring. The right person would become my next big investment. I enjoy cleaning as much as the next guy but I've got to get out of the van sometimes if im going to grow this biz.

Russ

what you just said russ has been my theory for a while, exceptfrom the get go I have always tried to have a helper. Paying a hose dragger who can sometimes even push the wand will prevent you from getting burned out and having things run a lot smoother is worth the money. I remember back in my porty days it was a big deal for me by my self to clean 3 or 4 empties in a day. A few weeks ago me and a helper hacked out 18 in a 12hour day during the college move out season

 

[Shane Deubell]

So far my experience has been we prefer part-timers for commercial work but residential really has not worked out great. Too many details involved, too much customer contact, personally think we need to pay a full time tech really well and at least cover single health insurance or half of family coverage, paid time off. Helpers are find part-time but the leads need to be pro's, IMO.

 

[Russ T.]

what you just said russ has been my theory for a while, exceptfrom the get go I have always tried to have a helper. Paying a hose dragger who can sometimes even push the wand will prevent you from getting burned out and having things run a lot smoother is worth the money. I remember back in my porty days it was a big deal for me by my self to clean 3 or 4 empties in a day. A few weeks ago me and a helper hacked out 18 in a 12hour day during the college move out season

We just did tbe college turn around here too. At the moment I have 2 vans. I sent my bro and a part timer out on my newer Cleanco while I was rockin' the Chemtex Panther 20. I took mostly 1st and 2nd floor units to make it go quicker. I was able to do 10 a day, alone...for 3 days. If I had a good helper I might be in the neighborhood of your 18. I was really burned out by the end of it, like you mentioned. We spend 9 nights at a Luxury resort in Myrtle Beach (off the strip) when it was over. Now its time to get back to it. When I get a little time, I've got to learn about my new Cleanco and possibly sell the other truck.

Russ

 

[juniorc82]

We just did tbe college turn around here too. At the moment I have 2 vans. I sent my bro and a part timer out on my newer Cleanco while I was rockin' the Chemtex Panther 20. I took mostly 1st and 2nd floor units to make it go quicker. I was able to do 10 a day, alone...for 3 days. If I had a good helper I might be in the neighborhood of your 18. I was really burned out by the end of it, like you mentioned. We spend 9 nights at a Luxury resort in Myrtle Beach (off the strip) when it was over. Now its time to get back to it. When I get a little time, I've got to learn about my new Cleanco and possibly sell the other truck.

Russ

idk russ it may be worth more to hold on to your truck with the chemtex if its all paid for. When I moved up to a tm from a porty it made such a huge difference in my operation I bought another tm just to keep as a back up and for large jobs and overflow work. There is a little saying that goes you dress for the job you want not the job you got, so If you are prepaired I think the if you build it they will come philosophy will prove true. Plus the resale on a chemtex panther wont be all that great so it would probley be worth more to you to have the piece of mind and know that if something happens to your cleanco work can go on and you will still have an income. My philosophy anyway

 

[Desk Jockey]

I agree with Jon. While the Cleanco may never have an issue it nice to have piece of mind knowing you have a back up just in case. It also great as over flow and you may just find with two you can pickup another community. ???

Give your brother a larger piece of the pie for any work he drums up and let him go prospecting.

 

[Jimmy L]

I have two sons. The first one graduated college and said I want to work for myself. So I took him on several jobs to see whay kind of work ethic he had. He was a wall flower, stood around most of the time clueless even when I explained to him what was to be done. Told him to keep the hoses out of my way, blank stare, went home home and told the wife he was worthless and needed to go get a job elsewhere.

Now I have a high school senior who is a lot better. Told him the speel about time is money and the more time we spend on a job the less we make. he got that at least working commercial. Thought I was on track to at least teach him what to expect if he wanted to be self employed. So I finally take him on a big residential job , first time customer.
Things move a litle slower in a home with lot's of kiss ass moments. I had to pull him aside about his wandering into other rooms and snooping. Then it was the immature attitude in front of the customer. Then the final straw was the damn cell phone. Texting, listening to music etc.

So I told him NO cell phone while on ANY job from now on. But he just doesn't get it when I explain it's a different ball game in a residential.

Oh well I can always go down to the Lowes and hire me some mexicans.
Don't see too many minorities up here that want to work especially when they get gov handouts.

Wouldn't even consider hiring anybody that has tattoos as that just says LOWLIFE.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Tell them I said you're one of the "good ones" and you won't don't beat them too hard.

 

[juniorc82]

I don't know jimmym tattoos seem to be more accepted now than in the past. I have tats on both my forearms and it has never heald me back from what I can see. Now with that said I wouldn't feel comfortable with face or neck tattoos as that would be my line in the sand. However with the bulk of our work being commercial it doesn't really matter I can see why if you where mainly residential it could be a concern. In the commercial world as long as you show up on time and do a good job you could send a Cyclops in to do the cleaning and they would care less






Wouldn't even consider hiring anybody that has tattoos as that just says LOWLIFE.[/QUOTE]

 

[Jimmy L]

Now that you have them don't tell me you'd have to think about doing it again.

Most businesses won't hire people with tats.

And if they do they have to cover them up.

I can see a war vet having them and that's how they got started but now adays it's a sign of RAP stars, and convicts.........girls with LOW MORALS.

And that's how the public sees it.

Honestly.

 

[Mikey P]

maybe in corn country.

out here in the real world tats are as common as ears and fingers.

unless the ink is on your neck or face, no one gives a crap.

 

[Desk Jockey]

errrrbody has them around here.

I must be an old mofo cuse I don't get it??? I'm not against them, I just don't get it.

As far an employee, the fewer the better, no sleeves or tear drops.

Only I can have tear drops because I don't deal with the public.

 

[Jimmy L]

I guess if your market is just doing apartments then you won't run into a Mrs. Piffleton who will care who she allows in her home.


And just like the "Fist Bump" becoming popular around the country the TAT revolution is just another sign of MORAL DECAY in our society.

And where did thsi "Fist Bump" come from?

Why it was taken from how CHIMPS greet each other....................Google it.......see some videos.

TATS and social behavior are observations of one MONKEY seeing another MONKEY doing it.

MORAL DECLINE

 

[Desk Jockey]

You sir are fookin cRaZy!

 

[Mikey P]

I actually had to look up what a Fist Bump was..

I call it a hockey handshake.

nothing worse than grabbing a fellow player's sweaty hand in the post game line up

We have a plumber in my LeTip group who I wont shake his shit covered hand so he gets Bumped as well.

 

[Shane Deubell]

 

[juniorc82]

I guess if your market is just doing apartments then you won't run into a Mrs. Piffleton who will care who she allows in her home.


And just like the "Fist Bump" becoming popular around the country the TAT revolution is just another sign of MORAL DECAY in our society.

And where did thsi "Fist Bump" come from?

Why it was taken from how CHIMPS greet each other....................Google it.......see some videos.

TATS and social behavior are observations of one MONKEY seeing another MONKEY doing it.

MORAL DECLINE

Im not sure who set the moral standard you are quoting jimmy. I can see to an extent why tats may not be the greatest for occupied residential but honestly if they aren't on the neck or face and don't look like straight up jail house tats I really don't think it makes a huge difference. I like how war vets are suddenly the exception to the rule .... I think you can be presentable and respectfull and as long as you are a professional its ok. I think you are giving our trade too much credit. We suck piss and body fluids along with Gawd knows what else out of floors. If you where talking about an attorney or a cpa I would be more likely to agree with you. Now go have a malted milk and read you a hardy boys book and reflect on the good ole days before the moral decay set in

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ohhh Jon, nothing good will come of this, you don't tug on Superman's cape!