08/09/2025
I met with the Minshew's yesterday evening outside of Perdido for a 40*60 build which is going to be my last build! They have a beautiful spot they're getting ready to build a new house on and want to squeeze one last build out of me!
I'm finishing out my current client list which is including the current one for Stanleyin Elberta, then Stanley in Garcon Point, Gohagen, Kriss, the Elkins sisters, Mooney, Frost, & Hyde. I've got some material out that's been sitting a while that I need to get up as quick as I can, and more to get delivered to site.
I was recently surprised with an opportunity of the sort that I'd been waiting on for a while, to get back in industrial construction management close to home. Just so turned out that a very complex metal building I built was for the right person at the right time and seen some value in me for their capital engineering team. That building was a first for me as it was beyond complicated, wasn't a basic quick and easy metal building, it was like a complicated barndominium build and I had to do a lot of research & planning to get it done correctly. Me and the guys knocked it out, it went over my estimation but j had to stick it out, worked some weekends by myself to catch some things up on it. He talked with me about coming back to close in the porch wall so he can have a roll up door to bring the golf cart in, and made me an offer for a construction manager position at a local mill that was too good to turn down, along with long term future possibility. So I started this week and it's definitely something I'm going to enjoy being a part of that team and making a difference.
So I'll be continuing my builds on the weekends, I have a small selection of good guys that's worked for me that are wanting to help me on some weekends so I'll have some good help most of the time.
It's been a struggle with good help for a while, these big builds are hard with just 2 of us in this heat every single day. I have run myself ragged working so many weekends for a few years now, I haven't had any time off and even though it keeps me in good shape, my body is worn down and my mind is exhausted from keeping up with every and not getting to relax much even at home. I've had a lot of complicated jobs recently that have gone way over estimated time, crazy weather, material corrections, things going wrong almost always, everyone wanting me at the same time, not being able to predict and keep any kind of schedule, drawing up builds and figuring up invoices late at night, on the go even when I'm not actually working, etc and it's just been bringing me down on top of the normal hard work we do. And after paying labor for skilled hands, insurances, taxes, equipment maintenance, tools, fuel, always fixing broke stuff, etc that it's not worth it for the amount of sacrifice I put into the business. If it wouldn't require so much labor it would have definitely been easier. On a small crew if just one guy lays out it affects us a lot, and slows down that job and the rest of my schedule that week, often putting me working the weekend to tie up loose ends. I can't expect guys to treat my business s theirs and to push themselves in the heat so hard as I do myself, it's my name on the line, not theirs. I paid them good hourly but I didn't have the luxuries of benefits to offer bigger established businesse, even for myself. So I always encouraged them to take one of those big jobs with great benefits if they come across it because I knew I couldn't and I could slow down at any time As we have learned through the years.
I've met a lot of great people through my few years of building these barns and fencing, definitely had more clients become friends that friends becoming clients! Y'all have been a blessing to us all and we'll always be grateful for that. I have enjoyed building some really big and cool builds for people and making their barn dreams come true! I am proud to have helped with the surrounding communities with quality barn builds for some baseball parks, city recreation and shops. I went to bed every night peacefully knowing the I didn't short cut and jeopardize any build, that I'd given it my all to be done correctly without any shortcuts taken. Being honest, respectful & transparent with how I build these barns at a level that most don't, everyone and it's gotten me a lot more business! I've always been focused on quality and integrity over cost, after being in the plants so long I've learned that good work isn't cheap, and cheap work ain't good! Sadly I've seen people suffer that consequence not knowing any better, and costing a lot more. There's a lot of shady work in all services, it's important to do your research on everyone and seeing their work with your own eyes before coming to a deal. An expensive pole barn is considered a permanent structure and you'll want it to last to pass down to your children/grandchildren.
I'm going to leave the page up and anyone can still reach out with questions in the future. But my main focus now is learning the complete system of my new position and be the best team member I can be so this job can be me future stability & benefits, and giving me more time with family which has been limited due to the constant business struggle. And some day in the near future I hope to be able to build my own barn and man cave like I've done for so many!
