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View Full Version : What does it take to get a job up here


bocooee
12-10-2009, 03:57 PM
Silly me, moved up here in the latter part of the tourist season. Im bored:laugh: Ive tried nearly every business in 30 miles. I been in the vet business for 20 years then went to babysitting I think fatlazyless has the right idea but I do have to eat and beer will make me really fat any suggestions (even a good laugh will do)

jmen24
12-10-2009, 04:08 PM
Place an ad saying that you will shovel off folks roofs for a small fee. Set up a fairly standard pricing structure such as, 1-story, 2-story, hip roof, complex roof line. Create and sign an agreement with them that you will perform this task throughout the winter, fee is per application. Shovel every 2nd or 3rd storm (depending) and stick to it.

We perform this in addition to other services for existing customers and we monitor 8-10 roofs a year. One of our guys can clear a roof (approx. 1500sf) in about three hours. Less if he is lucky enough to have the electric power shovel.

If you are looking for inside or desk type work, I am probably no help, but MB is always looking for help, its a paycheck. Good Luck.

bocooee
12-10-2009, 04:36 PM
Place an ad saying that you will shovel off folks roofs for a small fee. Set up a fairly standard pricing structure such as, 1-story, 2-story, hip roof, complex roof line. Create and sign an agreement with them that you will perform this task throughout the winter, fee is per application. Shovel every 2nd or 3rd storm (depending) and stick to it.

We perform this in addition to other services for existing customers and we monitor 8-10 roofs a year. One of our guys can clear a roof (approx. 1500sf) in about three hours. Less if he is lucky enough to have the electric power shovel.

If you are looking for inside or desk type work, I am probably no help, but MB is always looking for help, its a paycheck. Good Luck.

Good idea no desk job for me I'd shovel horse dung off a roof and wouldnt even ask how it got there! Dont have electric shovel never heard of one to be honest but I like your idea

jmen24
12-10-2009, 04:46 PM
The electric shovel is/was manufactured by Toro it is about 15" wide and weighs only 10 lbs or so, has a rotating paddle to move the snow. Pulled it out of my shed-o-odd-trinkets last year as it is absoluting terrible at clearing snow on a flat surface, but worked slicker than you know what when working a roof from top to bottom.

One more thing get yourself some general liability insurance (it does not cost much and protects your customers) that way if you take a header off the roof. A tax ID is good also, it does not cost a thing, but makes you a legal beagle. Not saying you have to make a career out of it, but it will show your customers that you have some skin in the game and that you will be around all winter. Heck even offer to clear the decks and other areas of the home as you will be covering them with snow anyway. Honestly you never really know what this could turn into, but it is better to build on a solid foundation than a, um, questionable one.

LakesRegionSpirit
12-10-2009, 04:58 PM
If you are interested in pursuing advertising sales, marketing, distribution on a contractual/commission basis, contact me.

Ropetow
12-10-2009, 05:24 PM
Those electric shovels are amazing. Got home last night around 7:30. Snow covered driveway, walkway, etc. Raining pretty good. The snow was so heavy and wet the snowthrower was next to useless...chute kept getting full/stuck with the concrete snow. Toro electric to the rescue! Took a bit longer but now have a snow-free driveway. Those little buggers can blast through anything. I also use it for clearlng off a semi-flat roof we have over our kitchen. I keep damning the former owner for adding on a kitchen with a semi-flat roof in NH!

RLW
12-10-2009, 07:22 PM
Good idea no desk job for me I'd shovel horse dung off a roof and wouldnt even ask how it got there! Dont have electric shovel never heard of one to be honest but I like your idea

Don't forget the cost of insurance. That will probably cost you your first years wages.:)

bocooee
12-10-2009, 07:34 PM
Don't forget the cost of insurance. That will probably cost you your first years wages.:)

:laugh:well that would interfer with next years boating gas money and not to mention the cost of an electric snow shovel.. we are taking the boat out for its last voyage in the morning:( can we do the ice out early dance

NoBozo
12-10-2009, 07:34 PM
I stay at a camp in the warm season that has 14 cabins. They had to have the roofs of their cabins shoveled off twice (maybe three times) last winter at a not insignificant cost. Roof shoveling might be an excellent idea.

Maybe one of those little raised platform machines that contractors use for lifting shingles up to the roof would work. If I was only young again I would DO IT. Just wondering. :) NB

bocooee
12-10-2009, 07:56 PM
I stay at a camp in the warm season that has 14 cabins. They had to have the roofs of their cabins shoveled off twice (maybe three times) last winter at a not insignificant cost. Roof shoveling might be an excellent idea.

Maybe one of those little raised platform machines that contractors use for lifting shingles up to the roof would work. If I was only young again I would DO IT. Just wondering. :) NB

:emb:Im young and a ladder will do just wouldnt know what to charge Have to do my dads every year I grew up on the windy side of big island pond, He suggested I start up my ice fishing cafe again but afraid of all the rules and reg out there now.

NoBozo
12-10-2009, 09:29 PM
:emb:Im young and a ladder will do just wouldnt know what to charge Have to do my dads every year I grew up on the windy side of big island pond, He suggested I start up my ice fishing cafe again but afraid of all the rules and reg out there now.

A ladder is too slow if you need to do more than a couple of roofs a day. You will kill yourself. Either way....pick a number: Try $18/hour.....or maybe $20. Depending how vigourous the response is, you adjust UP until you are employed as many hours a day as you want. Property owners know that getting heavy snow off the roof is not something that can wait until next week. If the snow freezes...the job gets MUCH Bigger. This is just the beginning. NB

twoplustwo
12-11-2009, 05:08 AM
...that's what it took me to find a job after my layoff. Worked lots of part time crud in the meantime.

Good luck with it.

jmen24
12-11-2009, 11:21 AM
The problem that most folks run into when it to determining a rate to charge for contracted work is they typically charge to little and end up in the hole at the end of the day. Today is your lucky day, as I am not a contractor in your general area for the service that you will provide, I will help you out.:D

Send me a PM and I will get you started.

Do not worry about the cost of insurance taking your first years pay, that is typical of companies that have not applied the proper rates for there work and at the end of the year cannot figure out why they lost their business. Do not charge per hour what you need to make, you will be in a hole before you even set foot on a job, professional contractors do not operate this way.
Those are the guys that are always taking about making tons of money week to week and then their BMW's and boats get repoed when the phone stops ringing.:eek:

This'nThat
12-18-2009, 12:48 PM
This is a temporary job. About 10 weeks, but pays up to $22/hr. Can't apply on-line. Must call 866-861-2010 to begin application. Completely outside, door-to-door. Get to visit friendly people that way.

Have to take a basic test (28 questions/30 minutes) in reading, basic math, map reading, and following instructions. Can request practice test beforehand.

Must provide own transportation, but you get re-imbursed for mileage.

Maybe -- just maybe -- you'll get to visit FLL's mansion.