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Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:20 pm
by DNgroundworks
Well thats me dry now, finished my last job today, all other jobs i have looked at i have been either out priced or the customer has cancelled the project - Thing is i aint too bothered ive saved a bit of cash incase this happened but i feel for the lad that works for me, just have to hope somthing comes in.
P.S if any one knows of anything goin begging in the Preston/Lancs area id be gratefull to hear!!
Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 4:17 pm
by GB_Groundworks
i did a footing for a building i've played rugby with since under sevens. finished the pour today, just given me plans for a load of work at a hospital 2 car parks 439m2 & 300m2. rip up, new kerbs, new permeable subbase, grass crete, 1000 metres of security fencing, 300 metres of ducting. fingers crossed few weeks work there, hope i can nail the price.
Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:44 pm
by oioisonnyboy
Got another 2 maybe 3 weeks work down here in kent on a carillion site, then working away...matlock in derbyshire and then hereford!!
the boss has also priced work in brecon beacons, norfolk and...fife!!!!
got to go where the work is i suppose.
will also be interesting as I've never worked away before (any tips from sean or anyone else how to stay out of the boozer and out of the card school ?) :;):
and also cause it won't just be doing the groundworks, but also steel erecting and clading as well.
at least it is farm work no agents or managers of H&S spies peeping over shoulder...only shame is winter is coming and shorts & boots weather is over 
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:18 am
by seanandruby
Simon, staying out of the boozer, card schools etc is up to the individual. You have to teach yourself to be assertive and to say NO! If you've been through the playing up stage of life and want to put your money to a better cause i e, property, nice car or just save for a rainy one, it will be easier.When i'm outer town ( since growing up ) i tend to still get up at 5.30 have a cuppa, cycle to work, or jog. I get to work early, have a cuppa, read the paper and idle chit chat. I work as late as possible ( get the overtime in more money ) then go back to the digs do some supper, shower, watch news, then radio and drop off. If there is no overtime i try and do a adult training course, go to the gym or sightseeing, anything to stay away from the pub. boredom can get to you so stay focused and occupied. I have the quality time at weekends being nice and fresh with no hangovers. Have a dinner at lunchtime that way your not tempted to go to the pub for one. Thats just some of the stuff i do, mostly i'm a loner anyway so that helps.
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:51 pm
by bodgeitandscarper
Ive been short of work for a while now and know how hard it is, but if your patient and accept the help that is offered by various establishments somet will change.
I start a new job tomorrow!! its long term and permanent so things do change!!
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:08 pm
by MatthewWakeman
seems lots of companies are struggling a bit in the west midlands we put an ad in the paper this time last year for pavers offering £480.00 per week + van and fully expense'd phone and got 3 replies same advert 3 week ago 30+ replies as for the order book we are 5-6 weeks in front doing about 6-7 drives per week. We have a 2k per month ad budget so we generate quite a few enquiries.
But i noticed that the marshalls survey of their own installers suggests they are all 7-8 weeks in front so we have scope for improvement
regards
matt
drivewaycompany.co.uk
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:49 pm
by DNgroundworks
Jesus, I just wish i had a couple of driveways to do never mind 7 a week!!
I have an advert in 3 papers at the minute, sign written van, 1000's leaflets deliverd, with a few different contract agencies which send tender packages/contract notice emails out weekley but some how at the minute im struggling with pricing, ive now actually enlisted the help of a much larger groundwork firm and also a big demolition contractor to help me with this problem (they price and submit on my behalf), ill take a wage and a cut of the profits, hope somthing comes in this week or i win a job.............
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:55 pm
by GB_Groundworks
started work today at a footballers new home, new build posh thing with really ropey finish standard, £2m+ house
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:47 pm
by Pablo
Bloody hell that is crap. Bet you could get away with murder with footballers just as long as it was really expensive they'll be happy.
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:31 pm
by GB_Groundworks
inside was worst, downstairs low door didn't shut, canterleavered floating stair case tilled in white marble, you get to the top and the tiller has cut in with loads of bits and pieces, grout lines all over the show some 20mm all the rest 2-3mm.
the house is clad in that stone you can see and someone has waved a high pressure lance all over the show and let big squiggles looks very rough.
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:31 pm
by lutonlagerlout
cat malogan!
LLL
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:49 pm
by Dave_L
MatthewWakeman wrote:seems lots of companies are struggling a bit in the west midlands we put an ad in the paper this time last year for pavers offering £480.00 per week + van and fully expense'd phone and got 3 replies same advert 3 week ago 30+ replies as for the order book we are 5-6 weeks in front doing about 6-7 drives per week. We have a 2k per month ad budget so we generate quite a few enquiries.
But i noticed that the marshalls survey of their own installers suggests they are all 7-8 weeks in front so we have scope for improvement
regards
matt
drivewaycompany.co.uk
£2000/mth advertising budget????
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:22 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i doubt very much that many, if any contractors are doing 6-7 drives a week,
most small firms would do perhaps 1- 1.5 per week,so if they have 10 lined up that's 7 weeks lead time for them.
the rate you are churning them out matthew,you must be partially responsible for global warming or summat :;):
at the moment, I would be surprised if more than 5 drives a week are being done in luton, people are not spending on discretionary stuff right now
all the best LLL 
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:38 pm
by Dave_L
lutonlagerlout wrote:i doubt very much that many, if any contractors are doing 6-7 drives a week,
most small firms would do perhaps 1- 1.5 per week,so if they have 10 lined up that's 7 weeks lead time for them.
the rate you are churning them out matthew,you must be partially responsible for global warming or summat :;):
at the moment, I would be surprised if more than 5 drives a week are being done in luton, people are not spending on discretionary stuff right now
all the best LLL
All depends what metreage Matt is talking about.
Quite easy to do 7 small drive jobs/week - but 1 - 1.5 big 'uns is about right for a small outfit as has been said.
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:10 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I didnt really mean meterage dave, as we all know more metres is easier rather than harder ===> less cuts per avg. metre
I meant just the people spending on stuff like drives
the ones that we noticed dropping off from xmas 2007 were drives ,conservatories, and patios.
extensions,refurbs and loft conversions have stayed strong.
The only good thing for most of us is that if we have no work,then we can put the tools away and lay off men (horrible but realistic)
1 phone call and you can be operational in a day
My mates window firm went bust,mainly because he had leased vans,a massive factory, 300K window and door fabricating machines, all this kind of stuff requires a high weekly turnover just to service the debt
hopefully most of us aren't hocked up to the eyeballs like this
all the best
LLL
