[englishdave]

Hi, can anyone pass along good tips and advice re; How to be successful at being an employer?
I'm in a position where I have enough leads to employ a painter and a helper.

I'm dragging my heels a bit though as in the past I employed a couple of painters, one ended up with a crack cocaine habit and the other was ok.

I had a guy lined up a few weeks back, he called me the night before to confirm that we were still on for the next day and then didn't show up?

If I work on my own then there's less hasle, but of course less potential for earning more money.

I'm thinking that if I can get things off on a good footing, then the feeling would be a good one and success breeds success.

Where as if I get off to a bad start, then it becomes 'just another pain in the neck' I'll probably backtrack and end up working on my own again.

Please pass on your experiences and advice.

Thanks

 

[Tonyg]

You just need to increase your numbers and decrease your expectations. There are always great people out there but you have to sift through a lot to find what will work. You could get 50 applicants, call 20, invite 10 for an interview, 5 would show up, and you might get 1 or 2 decent options.

Also, be very blunt up front what you expect and let them know it will be on a probationary period. Try to weed them out by laying things out first, or qualify them, before wasting your time with an interview.

 

[englishdave]

Thanks TonyG,

 

[PressurePros]

Great advice from Tony. When you get a good one, be loyal to him and take care of him (or her). One thing that has worked great for me is to pay monthly bonuses based on performance. I accrue 5% from the labor of every job and give it to the crew leader as a bonus. If they get a callback, it comes out of his 5%. Gives him good incentive to do things right. The leader of my best crew got almost $1000 in May above and beyond his salary.

 

[Brian]

I agree with Tony and Ken. I would add, when there is a problem, look in the mirror before you start pointing fingers. I've found that a lot more problems are solved that way.

Brian Phillips

 

[bikerboy]

I start out telling them that they will be drug tested and have a background check. That weeds out a whole bunch. Then I am up front on what I expect, what is not tolerated and encourage them to ask me lots of questions.

 

[George Z]

I agree with Tony and Ken. I would add, when there is a problem, look in the mirror before you start pointing fingers. I've found that a lot more problems are solved that way.

Brian Phillips

Yes, what Brian said, we had this talk before.
Also, try to really find out what they want,
can you help them get there within their employment with you?

 

[tsunamicontract]

I think the goal of this thread is to discuss ways to be a better employer, not how to hire better employees. I know this is something I need to work on, today I just wanted to fire everyone and start over.

 

[George Z]

I think the goal of this thread is to discuss ways to be a better employer, not how to hire better employees

A better employer will hire better employees
and keep them longer.

 

[Dave Mac]

A better employer treats people the way he want to be treated.

 

[englishdave]

Great advice from Tony. When you get a good one, be loyal to him and take care of him (or her). One thing that has worked great for me is to pay monthly bonuses based on performance. I accrue 5% from the labor of every job and give it to the crew leader as a bonus. If they get a callback, it comes out of his 5%. Gives him good incentive to do things right. The leader of my best crew got almost $1000 in May above and beyond his salary.

Thanks for the advice guys, I like the idea of a bonus, and make the bonus amount conditional on no call backs.

Anyone have any other ideas for 'incentive bonuses' I know one guy in a different trade who pays a bonus for being on time and showing up, he pays it at the end of each month. I think he gives an amount for dental to.

I'm all for paying bonuses and treating employees fairly, it does remind me that I'd have to have my game together though before I start to offer these things, you know if your on your own and you get your price wrong then you can somewhat suck it up. Not so with a crew though! seems like maybe your financial mistakes might be magnified?

 

[painttofish]

I'm all for paying bonuses and treating employees fairly, it does remind me that I'd have to have my game together though before I start to offer these things, you know if your on your own and you get your price wrong then you can somewhat suck it up. Not so with a crew though! seems like maybe your financial mistakes might be magnified?

English, I would first focus on your estimating, cash flow, and marketing before you start hiring. yes, your mistakes will be magnified if you are not able to price a job correctly.

 

[englishdave]

Thanks paint to fish, It's not always easy is it to estimate. I looked at a job last week, it was painting 2 stairwells, 2 hallways and a front room, the front room has a ceiling that goes up through the 2nd floor, so its about 20 feet up. It also has a skylight in it so there's a bit of cutting in around the light etc...
The apartment is above another is theres no way to get a long ladder in, so I would have to bring in a sectional scaffold and put it up in the room.
I'm thinking that this would have to be time and materials or I'm not interested, maybe around 3 days for 1 man.

What do you think? does it sound like I'm on the right track?

 

[tsunamicontract]

setting up scaffolding by yourself is offal fun. Its doable, but tough

 

[Wing 54]

That's why I buy the Little Giant ladders and work planks. Easy to handle as crew of me.

They pay for themselves in a hurry.

 

[painttofish]

Thanks paint to fish, It's not always easy is it to estimate. I looked at a job last week, it was painting 2 stairwells, 2 hallways and a front room, the front room has a ceiling that goes up through the 2nd floor, so its about 20 feet up. It also has a skylight in it so there's a bit of cutting in around the light etc...
The apartment is above another is theres no way to get a long ladder in, so I would have to bring in a sectional scaffold and put it up in the room.
I'm thinking that this would have to be time and materials or I'm not interested, maybe around 3 days for 1 man.

What do you think? does it sound like I'm on the right track?

I would suggest using the search threads option on this site to start figuring your production rates (how long it takes you to perform a task x how much money you need to make an hour to stay in business and turn a profit).

 

[CApainter]

Concentrate on being the best manager of your business rather then proving to your employees that your the best technician in it.

 

[englishdave]

Concentrate on being the best manager of your business rather then proving to your employees that your the best technician in it.

Thanks CA, and live to fish I'll search the threads to find whats already been written