Going Mobile

admin

Hell allI need some input, advice etc etc.  Ive been welding and enjoying every minute of it for about 9 years now.  I generally work in the construction industry all over Canada mainly stick welding.  I recently started with a company that does pile driving, shoring, and drilling.  Basically focusing on foundation work, they hire union welders (which is what I currently do) but also bring on some non union mobile guys (all of which have been working with the same company for 12+ years).  Over the years I have frequently entertained the idea of going mobile, and as of recently I have been getting more and more serious about it.  Here in lies the issue, working through the union I currently make $35.43 an hour with pension and benefits etc etc.  Nothing comes out of my pocket, all I have to do is show up and strike an arc.Obviously going mobile would mean that my truck, my machine, fuel, and rods (up to 5/32)  are all coming out of my pocket.  Granted there are several foreman that let the mobile guys get away with just about anything.  Here I would have no pension or benefits, other then contributions I make on my own.  The average charge out rate is $70.00/hr.  Having spoken with a few of the mobile guys they all suggest staying in the union and continue to tell me that there is no money to be made and that they get treated like garbage, etc etc.  My take on this is that it’s a load of crap, they obviously just don’t want anybody cutting into there profit .  Any insight  from somebody with some experience would be much appreciated.Thanks in advance,Paul
Reply:While I don't weld FT, I'll put in my 2 cents worth being that I run my own small construction business. I wouldn't quit a job for $35/hr with bennys to start from scratch cold on my own the way the economy is right now.Do some basic math and figure out if you will actually be ahead when this is all over. Look at the general costs, Vehicle insurance, fees, taxes, wear and tear, and general service. This assumes you already have a suitable vehicle. Basic tools, welder, leads, torches, cylinders, grinders, clamps, hand tools etc that you have to buy to set up. Liability insurance, workers comp and any other mandated costs like unemployment or Social Security for us. Now add in cost for basic health insurance and the other bennys you get now. You'll probably find that $70/ hr down to less than $25 real fast.Now will you be able to line up work on your own? It's great to see others working, but if you don't have an "in" sometimes, you won't get far. I got pushed into my own business when I got hurt on a PT job and couldn't work my FT job for a year. Things were fine when the economy was decent, but as things tightened up, I found more and more stuff getting shifted over to me like insurance, contractors license fees and so on as the guys I worked for tried to find ways to cut their costs.  Guys wanted to use me less as an employee and more as a sub, so they didn't have to pay as much. Then when things got real bad, the job offers dried up, as guys wanted to keep themselves working and a few keep helpers busy.I'd suggest you take this slow. Keep your eyes open for the tools you will need and slowly build up your arsenal as you go along. Take on a few side jobs here and there to gain experience running a business, estimating, figuring costs, and so on, and use that money to start to build a war chest that you can use to do two things. First would be to buy any tools you may need, say a machine or truck. that way you aren't carrying that on your back. Secondly to have enough money saved that you can go with out work for 6 months or more. Remember if you are the boss, you usually can't collect unemployment, so you are on your own. While I'm not the biggest fan of unions, I will admit that in many areas being a member is like having a "Go to the head of the line" card. They often have the clout to force open jobs for their members and exclude non members..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:I do not know your industry, nor do I know how busy your segment of the industy is, but from where I am sitting in the Oilpatch, here in Alberta, the Portables you have talked to are doing you a favour.Some are built to be their own boss, others are not... Only you can decide that...Working for yourself can be very rewarding, but you have to be ready to take some risks....If you are comfortable leaving your comfort zone, and don't mind being in debt, wondering where your next job, or paycheque is coming from, Go for it...If you enjoy the niche you have carved out for yourself, the regular paycheque, and the benefits, maybe it is best that you stay where you are...Looking for a truck?  Come on over to Grande Prairie, we have portables going out of business left and right - shops downsizing, and a line up of welders waiting for those of us still employed to screw up, so they can take our jobs.I WAS a Portable.... The industry was changing, and there wasn't enough work to go around, so I stripped my truck, put my gear in storage, and got a Shop Job, before the bottom fell out of things...Do I MISS the excitement of new challenges with each ring of the phone? Certainly...Do I MISS working outdoors?  Everyday...Do I MISS laying down metal with the gentle hum of an engine driven in the background? Every time I light up an electrode...Do I miss looking at a pile of bills, and wondering when the phone was going to ring next, Not on your Freakin' Life.Times are tough, and work is not great, but as long as the Cheque doesn't bounce on Friday, I'll show up ready to go on Monday.I wish you sincere Good Luck in your future endeavors, and hope that you make the correct decision, for you and yours.Have a Good Day.Later,Jason
Reply:I'd think long and hard about walking away from that job (with benefits) to strike out on my own.Not sure about your area, but here locally, the shop rates run anywhere from 3 to 4 times what the employee gets paid.Having run my own business for many years, all those costs (of doing business) that DSW mentioned ad up in pretty short order.  Where you stand to really benefit is in building a business up where you've got lower paid people doing the work for you and you're getting paid on a contract (not hourly) basis.In today's economy, I'd strongly encourage you to stay put.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:DSW hit the nail on the head. I too, own my own trucking and construction companies. IT SUCKS. When the customers didn't pay on time, I had to chase money, and dwindle away my savings to pay the employees. Right now is a VERY difficult time to be in bus. for yourself. I do mostly government work and guess what, we have a bunch of idiots in office who couldn't spell balance let alone balance a budget. Now I am practically out of work and in extreme survival mode. In my opinion your best bet would be to line up as many side jobs as you can, but never give up a sure thing. Remember, if you have money, the government wants to take it from you. Get a good accountant so you "lose" money on you side business, and then you will have write-offs to get some of your main pay back. I started when I was young and single, made alot of money, and gave it all back to keep the "business" which was a big mistake. IF THE BUSINESS CANNOT SUPPORT ITSELF WHILE GIVING YOU A PROFIT, GET OUT! Now I am married with three of my favorite little things in the world running around and it sucks when you cant give them as much as you want. Also I am now one year too old to do the smart thing like get on the fire dept (24 hours on and 48 hours off, and I think five shifts on, two weeks off.) I then would at least have money for food and the bills.Sorry to be long winded, and I do believe in dreams coming true. But I also know reality, and the bigger you get, the harder you fall. If you have a sure "in" and can keep it going, GOD bless you, just make sure you know when to get out."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:$35+ an hr, benefits, and no risk.  Are you fookin nuts?   Stay put.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Not to mention working for someone else is less stressful.  You don't have to worry about anything when you go home for the day.  I was self employed running an ISP for 10 years and it was hell.  I will never go back to running my own business.  I'd rather be able to forget about the job when I go home and just enjoy being home with the family.