Moving up in the world??

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Hey Guys,I just have a question.Little Background on me,  Im 23 years old and went to a 4 year High School for Welding.  learned all processes and positions on ferrous and non-ferrous materials.  I worked for a company for 4 years then the company went out of business.In 2009 I started my own welding business doing welding repairs and Ornamental Ironwork, Mostly Residential and a few Commercial Jobs.  Alot of Hand/Guard Rails and Gates.....But my question is, I want to get into structural construction.  New Construction,Structural work......  Frankly Im tired and very bored with doing Hand/Guard Rails and work for Jersey Housewives.  I know what you guys are thinking "Your out of your mind kid" NO, Im very much in my mind.  My dream is to be the guy Construction companies call when they need a Ironworker or a "Steel Guy" for a bridge project or something along those lines.  I want to remain self employed.  I plain english Im sick of doing small few hundred dollar jobs...  I want to start my career and life making money and a name for myself.Im insured under my dads Construction company for $750,000. I own my own Rig and Welders, (Miller Trailblazer, 12VS Suitcase.....)Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks Don. (And Please if your gonna bash me.....Dont)Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Unfortunately most of PA is all union, so you won't get many bridge jobs unless you're tied in with them. Maybe in the back woodsy parts of the state for local stuff, but you'll probably need an "in" with someone in the township to pick up that sort of work. Same goes with a lot of commercial iron work.Your best bet will be targeting small independent builders, but that's probably the area that's hardest hit right now in this economy. I have a good friend who used to get roughly 40-45% of his work from small custom home builders doing column and beam work for custom homes and a few small driveway bridges, but since 2009 that portion of his business has been almost zero. Even his rail work which used to make up maybe 15-20% of his business is down, though now it's a larger part of his total work percentage.At the same time the market is flooded with tons of out of work heavy equipment maintenance guys who can weld. They are eating quite a bit into the "fill in" jobs he used to do on occasion..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the help.Actually in my shop right now I have a Excavator bucket I repaired, Im waiting for the customer to pick it up.That was another thought of mine to get my Ironworkers Book.  Local#489 in Yatesville (Right by Scranton) about a hour from me.  I'd have no problem paying dues and iniation fees.  I was formerly Local#108.I talked to several Big Excavation companies about maintenance repair welding and they said they have there own mechanics that weld but if there ever in a bind they will give me a call.I live in the "Back Woodsy" part of PA but I can tell you there is no bridges going up around here lol!Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Having already been in, you have a step up in this. The fact you live in a fairly rural part of the state will help. Around here the unions don't even bother to come to the tech school like they used to a few years back to try and recruit new members. They simply aren't taking in any new guys.If you are serious, I'd probably take  a ride down to see some of the township public maintenance managers and have a talk with them about what it takes to get on their list of approved contractors. The guy I used to work for did some stuff for his local township. We had a contract to plow in the winter, and he'd also get a call to come out with his heavy equipment to clear ice from storm drains and occasionally to do some heavy digging when the township couldn't do it with their small backhoe. A big help was he'd gone to school with most of the maintenance guys and knew all of them. I know the insurance requirements for us to plow are fairly heavy. I passed on taking up the contract for plowing after my old boss died, and let one of the other guys take it simply because of the amount of insurance he carries covers the minmum the township wants..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:That sounds good.  Actually I live in a small town and and I happen to know all the township supervisors.   Thats a great idea!Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:How about all of the gas industry work in PA, if not a pipe welder, how about all the support equipment it must need repair all the time."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:You may find they need a lot more than just structural work. Welding on road signs, guard rails, park equipment, mowers, equipment, dump bodies, and plows... If your guys are anything like the guys at my township, they can break an Abrams tank with a roll of toilet paper... If nothing else it might give you some semi steady extra income. I know the mechanics at the township "weld" ( if you want to call the pigeon droppings I've seen done welds), but they might be more than willing to farm that sort of work out, especially if you push the "liability" angle being certified... Nothing scares municipalities more now days than liability it seems..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan