Mental Health and Construction
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2023
- We should Talk!!! Mental Health problems in the construction and building trades are a real problem and we need to start talking and recognising the issues and causes, a recent report by @Ironmongery_Direct and @ElectricalDirect has provided a real insight into some worrying statistics, It is time we start talking about these issues and try to help one another
Here is a link to the report from @Ironmongery_Direct
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Many of our tradespeople live hand to mouth. Why cant some people accept feeding their family is more important than "I MUST BE GETTING £300 a DAY", and price lower to get the work when they know they have nothing on? It baffles me. I'd rather be earning some income than none at all.
Yes.... but if you need to charge £300.00 per day to keep your head above water then that is what you should charge, for a tradesperson with their own tools, transport and the capability to deliver the work, job, project the £300 per day is not greedy or unreasonable but average money.... being self employed in the building trade can mean lots of hold ups.... cancellations... people not paying on time.... holding onto payments all this is a real pain!!!! A self employed tradesperson will be lucky to get between 190 and 220 paid days a year and even on the upper figure of 220 days times by £300 is equal to £66000 per year, this is obviously before Tax, all business expenses, transport, power tools and consumables, pension contributions, insurances, marketing and advertising costs, work wear etc etc, £300 per day is really not too much, go and look at the published rates of this well known Trades service company and tell me that £300 is to much!! www.pimlicoplumbers.com/rates/?mh_matchtype=b&mh_keyword=plumbing%20repair&mh_adgroupid=138821853825&mh_network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwgqejBhBAEiwAuWHioD3hXsU_VzGKbn6uZFs2UlasTkVeblMlOyQ2WJ4P2ZhZDSH9WWix6BoCqeMQAvD_BwE
@ukconstruction excellent response. I'm not a tradesman but a self employed photographer and it still rings true. Also if everyone just dropped their price to be almost non profitable just because they didn't have work on then you'd get a race to the bottom a cross the industry.
Take pride in your work, know your worth and your price. If you don't value your craft why should you expect a client to?
And never forget to charge for your experience. Someone could go out and buy the tools and do it cheaper but when they hit a problem that you experienced 10 years ago and learned a seamless work around, that's where your worth becomes instilled.
Absolutely correct Robin. £300 per Day is not by any standards a heavy rate. I’ve met blokes who will charge a lesser figure but definitely not wise as it does down the people that are charging a reasonable rate, not good for the bone fide tradesmen or the industry at large. If a miserable client doesn’t want to pay, it’s tough. Believe you me I’ve met them & I’m sure lots if not virtually all of us have come across them.
Like yourself I really enjoy the actual Work and doing a top job BUT the rest is just a complete pain in the arse, that is working for difficult clients with totally unreasonable expectations, especially irritating when your work is beyond criticism & clients that decide not to pay you for the agreed & invoiced work, no wonder blokes in the Trade have mental health issues, luckily for me I am mental anyway, 😂, you have to be resilient & be able to cope with, the sometimes, trying circumstances you find your in.
Yes not much fun when complete arseholes decide their going to screw you out of hard earned money, basically daylight robbery, I’ve heard it all.
The Culture in the Trades is, we are all hard & you need to get a grip if you show any signs of being otherwise but I bet you that if you had a group of blokes in a room together & someone broke down crying everyone in that room would be crying, no fckng wonder.
I’m a fan of Rodgers on his Skill builders thing, and a while back now I had said in the comments that we had started a business in the States, Dallas, Texas to be precise, it’s the best thing we ever did. Our experience there is diametrically opposite from the one in the UK, good workmanship is appreciated & we always get paid, no problem, and the money is massively better plus the taxes are not close to the tyrannical levels in the UK. I’m 73 & despite or maybe because of the experience here I’m even more driven. All the very best to all the good guys out there, grafters & troopers.
@@ukconstruction I love the clowns who ask for a quote then say "I'll give you . . . " then get upset when you walk away.
Great video Robin, I was over the moon 2 years ago to set up my own business, did very well and managed to buy a brand new van, employ an apprentice and everything was going well, I’m from a project manager background and like to think that I can handle stress but 2 months ago as a complete surprise to me, as I’m fit, slim and have a great diet ended up having a heart attack and having two Stents fitted into my heart.. They put it down to two things, stress and hereditary! So I have had to make the tough decision to close down the business..
I absolutely understand the mental health, I suffered with not being able to sleep as your constantly under pressure from customers, business accounts and I too absolutely loved what I did, hands on creating beautiful things.. 👍🏼
Thanks for this video mate, I hope people listen and realise there is help in many guises, you just need to talk ❤
Thank you Robin! It is quite a coincidence that I have just published a video with Roger on the skill builder channel that highlights the enormous stress I'm feeling at the moment that comes from self employment. I thank you both for your wisdom and for encouraging people to talk! I know reading through the comments on both channels has made me feel I'm not the only one suffering! If you get the chance take a look at me being honest! Kind regards Sam Ward
Just came from that video. Wanted to say something about the “business end” of the jobs. In my experience everyone wins if you actually charge a bit more from the customer. If the job turns out great the customer will be happy anyways and they will appreciate the money they spent. If something does go wrong and you can only break even, you have the money from the previous jobs to cover the cost.
And what I also find is that when you charge more, people value your time more.
@@ReedikTuuling This is always the problem. When times are good, we can charge a reasonable rate (note, reasonable, not fantastic). As soon as work slows down, it becomes a race to the bottom. Which is ridiculous because everyone charging less will not create more work.
@SJWardBuilders Sam, (&Roger), thanks for your content, have watched that twice now, must be getting old, but it all rings true, our industry and our people have been left behind with the proper support for a long time now, so with guys like you, Roger and Robin shining a light in a real way is going to be helpful.
Funnily enough I was thinking today about that great line from that great Kipling poem; "If you can meet with trial and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same" - Its a mind set you need when you are in this game. Afterall we are all just problem solvers, but, unlike doctors and lawyers when we lose, we actually lose. When a man dies on the surgeons table, the surgeon still gets paid - or when a lawyer loses a case they still make money.
The stress of the liability is huge and perpetual. Budget, deadlines, and quality is a three way seesaw and you just cant have it all.
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The lows are low but the highs are high, and its catatonic you can fail all morning but succeed all afternoon - and its important to stay stable and not take too much from a success or too much of a hit from a failure. Quiet confidence.
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I think we all have some PTSD from our early days and sometimes wonder if we are still winging it - and we all have moments when we feel like cowboys, and moments when we feel like gods.
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This afternoon I fitted a couple boxes of laminate it was the exact same size, colour, thickness and locking mechanism as the ones I bought on eBay a few months ago. £1500s worth of laminate for about £300 - and when it clicked together I was elated..... but in the morning I was replastering walls that had cracked after I had converted the internal doors to firedoors.
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As far as mental health is construction goes I figure its like a window, when its too hot you open the window, when its too noisy outside you close the window - when its both you will just have to deal with it and wait for it to pass.
I agree with you. Mental strength and stability are key to anyone’s health but are magnified when you are so exposed as with running a small business. I was MD of a large business employing some 3,500 people. Of course, the stresses were enormous but I had a board of directors working with me and so I wasn’t alone. Then I started my own business for the last 5 years of my working life and found different stresses. I don’t know why there were periods in which I felt strong and others when I felt vulnerable; I don’t know why different people have developed differing abilities to deal with stresses. Talking and sharing is the best medicine and I warmly congratulate Robin for devoting a whole video to the subject. Developing those forum where people can talk openly with others who understand the issues is quite a challenge.
Dude above bang on. Monster is right. Combine all that with a typically macho industry, especially on site, how we feel on a day to day isn't everyone's favourite subject. Mental health is usually something we're sadly less likely to talk openly about. Well done for bringing it up.
I started working for myself, I lasted 3 years...... the stress of customers not paying me missing payments to my suppliers etc. My last 2 jobs just put the nail in the coffin. A fencing job were the neighbours were fighting due to an argument about boundary issues..... and an oak job where I planed and sawn £3k worth of oak for her to just change her mind (she paid for the materials but wants her money back) I was ready for just driving my van off a cliff
It is really tough at times bud, glad you didn’t drive off the cliff, i hope u have found something you enjoy now 👍
If you've prepared materials you don't have to refund her
As a mental health first aider at work I welcome and thank @Robin Clevett for posting this video and encourage those that worry about saying something, be it mental health or general health, to try and find someone willing to sit and listen.
Many will talk, if you just take that minute to ask - Are you OKAY
So glad someone with the following Robin has had spoken out on this issue.
Me and my partner have just had our first child are struggling financially due to her drop in wages as she’s on maternity leave. Living in boy our overdrafts fro pay check to pay check.
I’m in the lucky position where I work with a lot of old school friends so opening up about these issues is easy for all of us. We support each other through all our individual issues. I also play football for a men’s mental health charity team. We, again, find it easy to open up to each other and help each other.
My advice to others struggling is to try and find groups of friends like the ones I’m lucky to have and open up to them on any issues you have. It’s 2023 and men are allowed to have emotions and admit they need help.
Agin thanks to Robin for helping to start the conversation on mental health in the building industry.
great video Robin , Mental health is such a big issues these days , one of the things that has help me with my mental health issues was to set up a rainy day fund, which is a separate saving account for hard times/health issues/relationship issues, anything which cause financial stress and stops you working or you wanting to go to work, its just a small fund that can help you out in times of stress/ hardship, I deposit a small amount every time I do a job weekly /monthly doesn't matter, Its there for when you need it 😃👍
Thanks for that Stuart, I reckon that is a good idea, the safety net of some money would really help and stop or ease the worry that being short of money can have, thanks mate
Wow ‘ as a 67 years retired carpenter I never thought that carpenters had mental issues, your speech is absolutely spot on ,when I was starting out I worked for Taylor Woodrow , they trained me and we belonged to a union where we were all brothers , then I went
self employed , then I was on my own ‘ start a union say ten pounds a month and then we can help each other , you would be a good leader robin ❤
That’s a great idea i would get behind a union if someone like robin was behind it
Thank you for your words Robin. Personally I was self-employed as a carpenter in Germany for close to 5 years and had a great safety net when I started out. My ex partner was a great help. It broke apart because I couldn't handle the stress of being underbid and not "winning" in the bidding process and therefore not having any work. At the same time I was too proud to admit that I was on a sinking ship and just should have asked for help from acquaintances/ friends. What's done is done, nothing I can do now.
That was 4 years ago. I closed my business 4 months ago due to a few reasons. 1: not being able to land a single contract for 2023; 2: having let go of both of my employees (one whose presence I truly came to despise) and discovering how much they screwed up; 3: having to fix their mistakes on my own time and not being paid (yes, that's the risk of having employees); 4: disrespectful customers; 5: paying taxes. And lastly: I am now 33. I had to choose between being successful and likely not having a family ever, or being mentally well, earning a few bucks less but being safely employed with benefits like the ones you mentioned and possibly starting a family with my now new partner. I am now employed in a small Zimmerei/ Dachdeckerei (carpentry and roofing company). While still struggling with mental issues, it is a huge weight of my shoulders.
Thank you again Robin. Stay strong and keep up the great work.
I told a customer 3 years ago I had a few issues that would impact timescales on a job and being a little unreliable about turning up at a decent time in the morning - Best thing I ever did ... I don't charge by the day or hour anymore and work to a quoted price. These two things mean my life - and customer expectations - allow for my dips and lows that previously almost ruined my life. Honesty and talking about my issues helps me manage some serious problems (that have taken 20 years to realise) will never go away.
Bump up prices and try to work a few less hours a week. Not earning your worth is very defeating, and overworking really throws off the balance that is much needed to stay healthy physically and mentally. I've unfortunately taken on a job for the last two months that's underpaying me and I'm working 60+ hours a week on it, not leaving me in a great mindset.
This. I reckon 80% of stress is related to not charging enough / allowing enough time. A lot of trades don’t know their value which hopefully will change.
Not a carpenter or builder but have enjoyed watching your channel from a DIY perspective. Have learned so much from you, thanks Robin. One of the problems facing tradies in the UK (and i'm sure in Australia too) is the ( what appears to be from watching Roger's channel and others) the epidemic of theft from tradies vans and the poor rate of recovery of stolen equipment. Walking out to your van to go to work and finding its been opened like a sardine can and all your kit stolen must be absolutely devastating. Feelings of anger and wanting to get your hands on these mongrels finally gives way to the realization your whole life has been turned upside down. The stress and mental effects would be enough to sink anybody without some sort of support both emotionally and financially. This is a space that needs a lot more work.
I had this very thought - it's a final kick in the teeth to someone who has been working so hard, covering so many responsibilities. Perhaps the insurers should offer some mental health support to anyone who has had this happen to them? But by the time you've called your insurers, you are already dealing with the problem as best you can.
Clients always make the situation worse. Texts and calls any time of the day. Getting that text at 9pm on a Saturday saying weve got a problem and we need a chat monday morning. Having those sleepless nights thinking about what could of gone wrong,how much is it going to cost you. Expecting you to know the ins & outs of absolutely anything to do with construction. Its bloody hard going
So true Ross, I have learnt over the years of having those awfully timed communications from clients and suffering the worry and anxiety that they can create to make sure that all my staff and customers know the boundaries and finally I rarely get even as much as an email out of hours, but it took me years to finally reach that sweet spot!! Also I invoice my jobs on a weekly basis so I don't have that worry about a client holding all the cards!!!
Excellent stuff, prolonged stress within a macho environment is a silent killer, we need to look out for the guys struggling and somehow get honest talk started. We're often physically isolated workers and doing far too long hours for our own good. It's taken me far too many years to realise this...
Well done Rob, nice to see someone headline this topic, and nicely timed with mental health awareness week, you have my support
I years ago when young worked all the hours doing my job plus nights and weekends. Avengly I did crack as it was a case of trying to please everyone but no one being happy. I decided I had to do more than just go to work have interests out side of work as I'm more than just a joiner. So things I did was find interests outside of work like travelling, I also started to cycle which allows me take part in some amazing events around the world. Like riding in Italy doing the the stelvio pass , riding from Milan to San Remo which is 1 of the monuments in cycling I've done rides on France doing the etapes. This year I've done liege bastogne liege which is another of the monuments. Plus races not that I'm any good at it, but that's not the point of it. Its to escape from the stresses of work , put yourself in a place where nothing else matters other than turning your legs. Then when you've done it you can say I've done something that people think I wish I could do that.
I also built myself a little shed where I could make little side projects for myself and actually get pleasure from making things for myself, as work is very much how quickly you can do it. Where at times I want to enjoy the craft of making things. I've being with the same guy on and off for almost 25 years I've had periods away doing other jobs then went away and come back. I did recently get offered another job and would make more money, but the problem was going to be the long days and weekends. Which would leave no time for my own interests. I've being and done it and know I need to escape from work.
One of my best mates had a nervous breakdown at work. He was lucky that his work got and gave him the support he needed. He also joined a men's club which deals with these issues. I would never go to anyone in my work environment I'm struggling. I have moments when I sick of it all. At times like that I will give my best mate a phone will simply say I'm struggling. There is no judgement. Its just a simple how you doing what you upto where you being or how did that trip go etc
I wish I could never do that on my own.
First, thank you for making this video. This topic is complex and not an easy conversation for many of us. Mental health needs and deserves more attention in society, and I think it’s important to break it down into groups of like minded individuals. For the most part we’re all similar, but I do believe a carpenters life is different from a tech persons life and all the other fields out there. What we do molds us in different ways.
I think the points you make here are all a part of what we are all dealing with. Everyone’s situation is unique to them, and can be any combination of things that make their own life more difficult. I don’t think life is easy for anyone, and it seems like this world is only getting more complicated and difficult for us to manage.
One thing I want to add, that I think is adding to mental health in a negative way is this… feeling appreciated for our efforts.
Most men (I can’t speak for the ladies) I’ve met, don’t mind hard work. Matter of fact, I think most men thrive on their abilities to get things done. The bigger the challenge, the better. We pride ourselves on our abilities to get things done and take on more and more, and see it through.
We pride ourselves on taking care of our families and will gladly do it. There’s great satisfaction in accomplishing our goals and the tasks we have.
Problem is, it’s hard to sustain when your efforts don’t feel appreciated by others. It’s hard to give your best, when you don’t think it matters to the ones you’re doing it for.
I think most men of character would literally break themselves for the people in their lives, if they felt appreciated for what they do.
What’s really sad, to show a person you appreciate them…cost you nothing. To take the time and effort to tell a person something positive isn’t difficult. To let a person know their efforts are seen and appreciated… cost you nothing. And could actually mean everything to that person.
It’s such a defeating feeling to think your efforts and hard work don’t matter or aren’t good enough, to the ones you’re doing it for.
This is just my opinion, and only one piece of the many reasons for what’s going on. And I don’t think I know what’s best for anyone else.
Once again… Thank you for this video and what you’re doing.
As someone who worked in the field of mental health , in a men's picu unit. To then, going back into my chosen trade. I understand this a lot. One thing I will say that helps is put your phone down after a certain time at night. And try the mindfulness app and meditate even if that's in your van. Go for a walk in the morning, and the evenings also helps. I do my best thinking when I'm out with the dog. I also go fishing and most of the time catch bugger all. But the solitude of a quiet lake , river etc helps me clear my head. But to all the trades men/women it doesn't make you weak for asking for help. Trust me, once you unburden your pent-up frustrations worries , anger, etc, you will feel better for it.
What a good guy you are Robin. Using your well deserved and hard worked for platform to help people. A class act.
Thank you for this video Robin, I really appreciate the time and effort you have put in to this, I think you have covered pretty much all the avenues that cause stress to most trades people, it is definitely something people bottle up from what I see and have experienced myself, it’s definitely something we should talk about more, like you I generally enjoy my job and the satisfaction of building something or transforming a space for someone, but I have also been caught in the vicious cycle of finishing late to many times, working weekends to often, skipping breaks, being kept up at night thinking about jobs which only makes you more tired and more stressed, that factored in with the mindset of just another week and I will finish this job, you hang on with everything you got until the end of that week and the job goes on another week and it can be soul destroying, but we do get there in the end
I think it can be difficult to find the balance between really thinking about your job, taking it seriously and switching off and not letting it get to you, anyways thanks again buddy 👍
Just in the throws of retiring after 42 years Carpenter/ Builder. And boy has it reduced my stress level. Have I experienced mental health issues during my career. Absolutely. I could write a book on reasons not to go into the construction industry. It didn't help I never wanted to do it in the first place. Positives in my case few. Working for yourself. Double edge sword. I was never a good employee. My own boss. Good idea. But ultimately the customer is the boss, so you don't win. Variety. That was good. Not going the same place to work every day. Brilliant. Seeing what you had built. OK. But I could never achieve a standard I was happy with. So my whole career I felt I was selling the customer short. So it comes to retirement. Self employed most of my working life. Little ever paid into a pension plan. No cosy pay out. No monthly payment. No money in the bank. My wife and I exist on the old age pension payments. Cost of living is extreme. We still have a mortgage payment. I am not stressed about building anymore. Just worried about how to pay to live. Now have the time to do what I would like but can't afford it. There are so many in construction struggling. In Australia a lot of the big building firms have gone bust. And ever smaller ones below that. Massive shortage of trades as the guys are leaving the industry in droves. It is a tough job, physically and mentally. A few make it through unscathed. As figures suggest, most don't.
Sorry to hear that you are struggling Dave. You are not uncommon in not having built up any substantial pension. You might find it helps your mental health to have six months off, not doing anything you don't want to, and then find a part-time job for a couple of (short) days a week. That little bit of extra regular income will go a long way if you are also receiving your state pension.
I’m really glad that you’ve opened this dialogue Robin, I really hope it runs and runs!
We’re not in related industries, but we suffer the same stress.
We all need to open up and talk more, share our problems where we can.
Admitting we have struggles is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.
Thanks for the video, and it was lovely to bump into you and Ed the other day at the Ashington BP. 👍
Everything you have mentioned or said is the absolute truth. It’s pressure pressure pressure and I’ve seen people walk away from the trade because it’s to much stress. Since the pandemic it’s only got worse for me. I suffer from a lot of anxiety due to working for myself. It can be the greatest job in the world because of what you can create but I find it’s definitely turned in to a people pleasing job and everything needs doing as quick as possible for the cheapest amount. I’m a big fan of promoting mental health in and around the construction industry and I think it’s becoming a mental illness that’s going un noticed which will scare a lot of people away.
I'm 61 and apart from 2 years I have worked for myself my entire life! I'm not in your trade. Grew up on a farm and lived there for 35 years. Got into computers and computer programming has been my income for the last 25 years. I have been lucky to work with only a handful of companies for extended periods of time. Right now I have worked with only one client for the past 7 years. Back in 2015 a client I had ran into financial difficulty and dropped the projects I had been working on with him for 7 years. 1 week notice. Done. No income. On top of that my car died and family issues forced us to temporarily take in a family of 4. All within 3 months. In my particular corner of the computer industry it is not easy to pick up contracts at short notice. And my client kept telling me they'd be starting up again soon. For 5 months I waited on them until they finally said no, not starting again. 8 months after the work stopped I found another permanent client that I have worked with since. To call that period stressful is an understatement of the decade! I have always been very good at fixing things, but this I couldn't fix fast enough. We almost lost our house that we bought 2 years earlier. Fortunately it all worked out, but it took me years to recover mentally.
I’m a carpenter 31 my mental health has been good for the last 4 years, really focused on work in that time done some amazing stunning jobs, I do think there is a lot of pressure from clients understanding what they like.
building work in general is very hard when you have to keep up to someone else’s expectations, especially when there not in the trade or have no idea of time frames, every job that I take on takes 110% of focus and it’s is draining, very rewarding when the client can see the hard work you’ve put in and there amazed by the end product. I do think that people expect you to know in intricate detail every avenue of carpentry just because your a carpenter, not the case it takes years to understand, it so vast but a lot of the skill you use day to day as a carpenter makes working them tasks out easier.
First fix and second fix Carpentry very comfortable with but been tasked with lately hand cutting arch roof, walnut panelling with hidden doors, hand made doors all these things I had no clue about but done an amazing job on all of them.
The way I see it os that stress, uncertainty etc. has always been a part of life, especially men's life being a provider and a rock for the family. There's no life without these negative in a way feelings. If we start perceive them all as a problem to avoid at all cost or being labelled mentally damaged in a way then thats when we actually create a real problem. I have been in a construction industry most of my life. Never made it big, been self employed for ober 10 years and know about all the positives and negatives of this position. Tried to had some guys working for me with a different rate of success mostly bad experience for me. The important thing is to learn to respect yourself as well as a client but really put yourself in a first place with all due care for the client thought. Keep in mind that this is just a job and there always be better and worse days. When you feel tired just take that extra day off and do what you love wether it's your own thing or time spent with family or whatever but don't catch up with works needed doing at home - I was often guilty of that at the cost of my rest and felt like I am a slave and never stop. Also bottom line is, at least to me: would I rather be working for someone else 9-5 and have no influence on money i make for the peace of mind that i am getting or I'd rather enjoy the challanges, go through the battles and be in control of my time as well. Despite all the disadvantages of being self employed a thought that i would effectively become someone elses paid slave is the weight that so far always tilts the scale to remain my own boss and be in charge of what i am doing. There's no man's life without 'mental aspects' in my book unless you are in a coma. We all know it brothers. Take care and don't worry unnecessarily.
Important topic. True for all professions. Thanks
I’m a self employed Engineer working sometimes Client/Consulting side sometimes site offices and have been on small to major infrastructure projects for nearly 25years. I love working on site and I’m in a nice warm office so I can’t complain.
Working Client / consultants side vs site, well frankly the difference in culture is staggering! It has got better over the past 10 years but you still need thick skin to deal with the nonsense on site and that no good for anyone.
This is one of the best videos I've watched on UA-cam in ages, thank you for bringing this up. I have had mental health issues for years and have found that in the construction industry most men won't talk about it but yet suffer so much. It's ok to talk about it and we need to make sure that our workmates are ok and that it's ok to ask if they are ok.
Thank you Alan, great comment for all to read, thank you again
Thanks for this Robin...Gent as usual.
I think first thing that helps an awful lot is to have a good partner at home to talk to. A problem shared is a problem halved and an understanding of your stress with work and home must be addressed. You cannot bottle it up it will eat you alive. Always remember you are only human and you can only do your best. Make the clients understand what to expect with regards to time and cost. If they don’t like it then they can always go elsewhere but most of the time they will be back. This mental health is no joke so keep you chin up and soldier on as nothing stays sh*t for ever.
Well done Robin good chat👍🏻
Love your vids, the big build was superb! For sure MH can effect self employed, small business owners, it helps when you have good money behind you. For anyone starting out, work out start up costs, let's say 30k, then have at least 20k as back up, if you don't have it, delay your start up till you do
Absolutely amazing that you're speaking about this issue.
I thought it just me, who cannot manage stress.
I'm one man team and when it seems everything goes well, something comes up you do a mistake, you underestimate job, you said you will finish earlier etc etc. It just enormous pressure that's created by ourselves by keeping everything inside, as you said man is seen as the one who has to carry all the weight and admitting that you are vulnerable seems like end of the world.
I found that couple days off or short holidays helps a lot to manage stress and get everything back in my hands. We should understand that mental health is equally to physical health, we don't go to work if we have injury (broken leg, hand or something else restricted our ability to work).
I found that lots of stress brings my bad planning or understanding scope of the work, when in my head that will be done in 2 days and you spending a week or two, because you want to get it right.
As you have a good reach to the audience would be super helpful to get more videos like this, to understand "you not the only one"
Super thank you for this!
For viewers in Australia or New Zealand, there is Mates in Construction which is a [---] prevention organisation (sorry can’t use the word or link or my comment gets blocked). If your site is affiliated with them and you feel that you or a mate needs help, reach out by phone or via an onsite Connector. In an emergency seek medical attention or if your mate is in immediate danger call the emergency services.
This is a great idea, and would really benefit the UK Construction industy, and the public at large. One of the deficiencies we have in the UK is that there is precious little support for small business owners. They are expected to be able to pay for every peice of advice they need. This fine when business is going well, but the time when you really need support and help is usually the time when you can least afford to pay for it!
Well done Robin ,you are a good man. I've just retired, the last 2_years of my working life wiped me out emotionally and physically. If I had not talked it through with my wife,I don't know what I would have done.
It's time to open up people,everyone needs someone.
Good luck and good health Robin,you are a classy man
Thanks for your kind words, our closest people such as our wives and partners are usually the best place to start... my wife Beccy can read me like a book!!
I am getting toward the end of my career after over 40 years , like most of us had ups and downs but I am really feeling the pressure like yourself both emotionally and physically .
I can’t put my finger on it but I feel quite insecure which I have never really experienced before , I really believe talking things through is the key .
Keep on with this Robin I know a number of people especially the thirty somethings who are struggling , I also believe the macho bull has no place in the modern industry
Thanks
Thank you Robin 👍🏻
All credit to you for speaking about this. Thank you :)
Bravo mate,great to encourage men to talk,which I think we are slowly getting better at!
Well said Robin!
I've heard you speak about managing expectations before, and this in my opinion is key; something that, as you say, is often the root of other problems and anxieties. As someone who has done work for others, and had work done for me, I can attest to the importance of MANAGING EXPECTATIONS. I recently had some major and disruptive works done on my house and endured a fair bit of stress simply because it wasn't made clear to me when certain (disruptive) things were scheduled to happen.
Obviously things change, and nothing in the building process is fixed (bit ironic that), but it doesn't take much time to brief and de-brief a client at the start and end of each day; on first tea break, and after putting down tools at the end of the day. A quick verbal progress report basically.
Keep up the great work.
Great video. Bullying in the work force , some call it banter some take it to heart ❤️
Bullying and banter are not the same thing.
Great point to talk about
Well said Robin, another great video. Mental health is a ongoing concern...we need to open up more and talk about it ❤
Liked, subscribed, and commented. That was a fantastic gesture you did for Matt. Looking forward to checking out all your videos. Cheers!
Thank you!! I am so happy to have been able to help @mattestlea he is a really nice guy and it was an honour for me!!
I really need to sort my debilitating anxiety out as its stopped me from working and I'm running out of savings, but I don't know where to start and feel like they will just think I'm trying to get a free ride. Everyone I know just thinks mental health issues are not real and you just need to pull yourself up by your boot straps etc, so I can't even talk about it to anyone.
Great important vid …. The work is rewarding and we need to find the team that “gets” each other … great video great words about the reality
Thanks for talking about this Robin. I'm not in construction but definitely struggle stress from my job. I think trades are probably particular hard hit by these issues for the reasons you described
Robin you’re spot on I’ve been a chippy for forty two years like you’re self I’ve got permanent high blood pressure I’ve been told through being self employed keep this conversation going Robin
Will do Graham, thanks for watching and commenting
Very kind, Robin
This goes beyond the craftspeople delivering buildings for clients…it impacts all professionals working in the construction industry…from the small architects & engineers to the carpenters & electricians…everyone can be impacted by stress. This is particularly the case for small businesses delivering mainly to the domestic residential market, but can equally impact on any member of a larger team working on commercial projects. But you have hit the nail squarely on it’s head Robin…the key in my experience is communication; as you say, managing expectations from day one, & remembering to look out for each other. Asking how people are doing is the key…at the end of the day, talking doesn’t cost anything, & a problem shared is literally a problem halved.
My 18 year old son entering the trades this hits home. 🙏
For downtime, I do a combination of meditation, disconnecting from social media/Internet, spending time with family, and do some hiking and other exercise outside. Makes a huge difference. I'm planning a 2-week mental health break right now that I need badly. Although I won't get paid it will be worth it for my mental health.
life is stressful, part of our dna , working is modern day hunting to survive
Thanks for this. Without wanting to sound like an echo, it's ok to not be ok. AND talking about it isn't just good, it's essential. Lots of people have a point of contact when needed. Where's that point for the construction industry???
Maybe some of us could start something on here?
Well said, Robin. ‘Masking’ depression and anxiety makes the problem 100 x worse. If we talk about stuff, we can help find solutions. As a mental health worker, I’m often working with people who’ve eventually broken down because the pressure of putting on a brave face has finally become too much and compounded their problems. Prevention is generally the best approach, and that starts with self-care, which some guys find really hard, feeling that this isn’t in keeping with the image they have of a ‘strong’ person. But it’s not true. Take a step back, and then start sharing.
Thank you Mandy
Thank you so much Robin you have nailed it top man all the best , Mick Hogwood Painter& decorator
Cheers Mick
Very true words Robin, im guilty of many things you spoke about. The difference between self employed vs employed is massive and they both have their own stresses. If theres one bit of advice I could tell anyone including my past self, it's talk. You cannot get through life without your mental health being tested once in a while. Especially when it feels like the government is against you and the super rich get away with everything. After all we're just trying to earn an honest crust, have a decent house in a decent area and provide for our families.
Fair play Robin. I got into the building game for a love of the trade. Its a tough life at times but very rewarding. I think the main problem with the industry is that we are so often underpaid and under-appreciated because we do manual labour. We have a huge amount of knowledge and experience to share. Our trades,qualifications and experience should be better regulated to showcase this. Countries like Germany and Japan hold trades people in high regard as they are acknowledged as being valuable members of society, we should take a leaf out of their book.
Thats a great video Robin, Im a diyer and sometimes im asked by people todo work and i mostly try and avoid it !!!! dealing with some people can be a terrible experance ..........I hate to say it but I couldnt imagine doing it as a professional for all the reasons you mentioned in your video thanks for the video and allthe best to all the trades people who are working on the front line !!!!😊😊😊😊😊😇😇😇😇😇
Nice one Robin.. we are all fighting our battles..
Robin that was a great insight into mental health within the construction industry and staggering figures😢. I am now 50 I have been a carpenter 30 years plus and thought by old school carpenters and you deffently couldnt talk to them about how you felt. I suffered my self with depression and anxiety due to work loads and worrying about work at an early age, Thank god the Industry is changing and acknowleding people in our industry suffer, Great speech Robin keep up the good work for our fellow Carpenters ❤
Thanks for the comment Mark, you are so right about how it was almost frowned upon to share feelings onsite, as you say.. Thank god the industry is changing!
Of course You 'should' be good at 'hitting the nail on the head' Robin - And YES!! Mental Health 'is' a genuine problem but 'most' of us don't recognise it as a problem, we just assume that it's part & parcel of the job - Unpaid bills, too much work, not enough work, Loyalty to our customers even. Where we don't feel we can possibly take time OFF because we will be letting our customer down (Not realising that in MOST cases that loyalty is 'never' reciprocated) ..... Another thing is just 'Health' - We all get ill, but mostly we try and work through it, but when Mother Nature decides to give you a proper 'Kick In The Guts' there's no-one with a Safety-Net ... The DWP look on the Self-Employed as the lowest of the LOW! ..... If you get help within three months, feel privileged ... And Most S/E don't have their OWN safety-Net to last that long ... THEN! the Mental-Health Crisis REALLY Starts. Family and Friends are first! in the firing line, so you soon isolate yourself, which of course just compounds the issues...... I DO! however think this whole 'VictimHood' mentality resting on the shoulders of 'Mental Health' shouldn't be overlooked ... There is simply TOO MUCH BLAME directed at Stress, Depression, overwhelm etc and even Very young School Children are being pidgeon-holed at schools as 'at risk' of the NEW buzz-word - Anxiety!! ..... It's a political angle, just as the Woke movement is - Causing FAR MORE PROBLEMS than they profess to solve - BEWARE the 'Woke Mental Health Virus' - Now THER! is the real MentalHealth Pandemic at present ... Compounded onto the Self-Employed by ULEZ - 15MinuteCities & LTN's - which are literally DESTROYING Businesses in general, but 'specifically' the Self-Employed who just CANNOT Swallow THOSE Bitter Pills ££££££££'s ..............
For what it’s worth, most of what you describe is common to “self-employed”. Even high-tech, computer consulting. (Don’t forget time off for mental health could be “vacation”.). Self-employed puts one at the mercy of the toughest boss around. But it also means your success - and failure - is in your hands.
Another great bit of content Robin; rounded, honest and heartfelt. Personally and painfully aware of these issues, and how hard it is to accept, or get real help. Reading elsewhere that construction workers suicide rates are increasing in the UK for the fifth year in a row, so we need to look to support each other where we can and stop this trend, especially in the self-employed sector, but I know this is hard for people to do openly, so, not wanting to limit other options and I have no personal benefit for this, there a is the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, that might be able to offer some help, advice or direction for someone who might need it. Keep inspiring and motivating Robin, this industry is full of great people.
Thank you Kevin, great words and advice
one of the hardest things I did was admit that I needed help, the next hardest thing was actually asking for help. But I did and I don't regret asking for help for one minute. As big as your stresses are, talking with someone trained to listen can make a huge difference
Well said mate
Some people believe construction is a walk in the park and builders overcharge. Little do they realise how much hard work it is. Not only are you on the tools, but have to procure materials, monitor and record project progress, file receipts, keep the books up to date, invoice on time and numerous other duties.
Then there are things outside anyone’s control - the weather really screws up progress.
Satisfaction comes from admiring what you have constructed. I set a realistic daily goal, based on materials availability, weather. I don’t stop at set times, but am task driven. I take breaks when a piece of work is complete/at a natural break point. I then reward that small achievement with a celebratory cup of tea, or some small treat. It’s nice to get tasks out of the way in order to move on to the next. Mountains are daunting, but even the fittest, most capable people only ever scale these one step at a time. The golden rule is never give up - one step at a time and you’ll always get there.
And when I’m having an utterly crap day, I remind myself that this low mood/anxiety/frustration is only temporary.
I give myself a private pat on the back when I reach a milestone and remind myself, whatever the trials and tribulations my building projects throw at me, I get to directly see what I’ve achieved and that many who tap away at a computer for a living every day never have that privilege.
To all out there battling with challenging, skilled tasks, be VERY proud. Make it your life’s mission to be a craftsman with standards of workmanship that are hard to beat.
I would echo all of that, but being a great craftsman is not the only possible end goal. Being a great small business person, able to judge everything and have a team of great craftsmen working for you is also an truly excellent outcome. Patting yourself on the back is one of the surest ways to maintain your mental health. You are not just working, your are BUILDING something.
@@tlangdon12 excellent points! Managing people and running a profitable business are additional pressures, on top of building something that will last.
Well done chap
Really great Robin the conflicting pressures of self employment are immense and potentially age also has an impact, as you say the first most important step is to talk about things. Great Vlog well done.
Good on you for tackling this Robin. I’ve experienced many of the issues you’ve raised here and I feel it’s getting worse in the cost of living crisis. Whatever the government and technical figures say, we’re living in a recession with all the pressures that creates. I’ve made the decision to leave the industry after 3 years of self employment to move into a related industry as an employee with the security it brings. This is because I’ve reached the stage where the reward simply doesn’t match the stress and risks involved in running your own construction business. Keep up the great work, as in the industry or not I’ll still be following your channel!
Good luck Darren with your new ventures, thanks for still following me too!!!
Everybody experiences stress and pressure in the workplace and always have, it’s not exclusive to the building trade but the demands and expectations of the marketplace are much higher now than ever before and the rigours of what very often seem like over regulation, H&S , the green economy, social media and the extra paperwork that all brings only adds to your already full workload. I earn peanuts now compared to what I used to (and compared to most ‘cards-in’ workers at the end of the day who can just switch off at 5pm) and seemingly everybody wants their cut of that leaving you worse off than most would imagine. You then find out that you need to spend £15k+ on a better greener van to stay in business and it’s no surprise that so many of us feel like we’re being squeezed in a vice and time served traders are leaving construction.
For people with any symptoms. Listen to Hi Ren by Ren. It's one man's life struggles set to music. Hope anyone suffering opens up to someone, there are more people, bottling this up and trust me you need to release it. Just letting someone know what you are feeling, can be a great release. I have been through it and you can get through it with the right help, don't bottle it up as I did and collapsed at work, it is important as all us plumbers , carpenters, sparks, plasterers any trade my need help at some time.
Great video Robin. My biggest worries is underestimating how long things take. And managing the jobs and customers.
Paul I am in retail, and my biggest asset the past few years has been my digital Callander, it has enabled me to not only schedule every job but at a glance see when I am available to take on or do more complicated jobs for customers without them clashing. Having set days for certain jobs and only working with reliable suppliers, gives me confidence to keep the customers informed and plan with them when things are going to be delivered and done. Charge for your services too, I used to be running things out of an evening etc and of course occasionally still do but you will be surprised how many people are available on the same day when you say you will have to charge.
I am in the states & I am a Finish Carpenter/ Contractor who works 4 myself ! For the very reasons you stated I set aside my dream job ( being a carpenter) and worked 30 yrs in Law Enforcement!
Now since 50 yrs old ( I am 64 now) I hv been working full time and truly enjoy it! I hustle everyday and if it rains or I hv a missed day or two I hv a retirement chk each month!
But I see my fellow carpenters now competing against 5 million illegals let into the country whose work is really not what we expect from a true professional carpenter more of a handyman type stuff!
But they contract w/o a license and give the trade a black eye ! I hv lost two jobs within a year due to their poor workmanship then causing the money set aside for me taken to correct their sub standard work!
Here is what stresses us out ? Woke Gov! We need rules that are enforced and if you’re not licensed then you’re not going to work as a contractor! No not all 5 million are working in the trades but easily 2 millions or more !
These ppl in leadership are so small minded they think one contractor and a bunch of unskilled labors equal a house?
All of the money spent coddling full grown men laying on their silly asses all day stresses me out!
I hv an idea !
No work ? No eat! ( tell who made that statement ) ?
Thanks Robin you've obviously been through it all I rarely post on a video but your down to earth I'm overwhelmed I start a job mark out square and set out a job I work hard for months doing tricky work setting out for a pittance for builders from start to finish complicated stuff renovations but in the millions I direct people to do a job they don't understand how to do due to the lack of skilled labour a constant struggle I give the job over to a finishing forman after who plots out the size of a floor tile to a pocket door for example which I've already roughed up and a client walks in and tells that man he's done great work it's a thankless job I then return second fix it and all of a sudden there paint colour has made it look good Iam modest but have twice the knowledge of the builder and foresight I have a young family and can barely support them while carpenters I know do price work for blocks of apartments and haven't the hands to bless then themselves boast at how many doors they can do in a day and undercut each other the knly winner is the developer I'm self employed only ever took one holiday in my life to lanzorote for a week when the missus was pregnant I've been a carpenter from 16 years old I'm know nearly 40 as you say I can't take a day off how wonder its 4 out of 5 it's horrendous I was one day behind schedule after bringing the job from start to finish the other day a lad who subbys in 52yrs age had to get his bloods checked his words to me he was he tired we are hanging 9ft doors boss said to me I don't want to see him monday no hello no nothing just why aren't you finished I'm tired two thanks Robin I got to rant but it's very serious and we are all hard men
Hi Jim, thank you for your really insightful and interesting contribution, you are dead right about the guys who are house bashing and doing price work on site.... as you say the developer is the only one making proper money!! hope that chaps bloods where OK!! I am hoping that as a community we can make some small changes that will improve our lives! have a good weekend mate
In my opinion:
Most of the issue with blokes is that they’re blokes.. we’re not supposed to have feelings and issues and sensitivities. We’ve been bought up to get on with it and get over it and be strong and be a role model and be the pillar of the family and provider. Feelings and sadness and crying is for girls and we are stronger!
That’s not the case. And as society moves on and progresses and we morph our awareness and conditions. we can begin to open up as men and start to untangle from what our parents and grandparents have instilled within us to grow up to be.
I've been self employed builder for the last 7 years or so .. and the main problem I have is dealing with people and especially hunting money.. and had an employee.. he was getting more than me.. on top of that plumbers and electricians not turning up on time.. I've got to the stage I Don't see the point anymore... since Christmas now I can't be bothered.. I'm over drawn the whole time just struggling... its getting me down I just don't see the point of getting out of the bed somedays... I'm getting to the stage I never want to set foot on a building site or house anymore... I priced too bathrooms for people who I done work for before but they short changed me for too bits of work..apparently I was more expensive than the other prices but they'd work with me if I knocked off a few grand... I said no I'm not interested in working for people like them... I'm going to try back on the sites just concentrate on carpentry and not handing out money for materials..
I respect you for treating your employee right. It's just another one of the responsibilities that you carry as a small business owner. And dealing with ordinary people is never easy. They don't really know what the work they are asking you to do entails, and they don't have a handle on the current cost of labour or materials because they undertake large projects so infrequently. Having a good contract, and charging for extra work as a matter of course is the solution. Bigging the customer up for being able to afford you may be another! :-)
It may not be a tradie position, but as a piano tuner and musician who relies on invoices, when you get larger business clients who are giving a cold shoulder and holding back paying invoices for months beyond the deadline makes it hard to rely on. Even the stress from that part of my work has effected me negatively this year, so I can't begin to imagine how I would feel dealing with invoicing for all of my income.
Picked up an old video game I used to play as a lad for something to relax to, do some woodworking on the side (although maybe music might be a good alternative in trades?)
A great video, and very well said. Sorry for the essay!
G'day mate! My 10 cents, here it is. I agree that as a wider industry we are terrible at addressing this stuff, and agree the contributing factors certainly don't help the stresses etc. I went through a particularly tough patch about 5 years ago, had a bad run in my personal life and the company I worked for was extremely toxic> I moved companies and addressed a few issues with my boss, who encouraged me to help make some changes, and this is what I did; Firstly I researched and enlisted a company that do on demand counselling services, and had them on a retainer. Realistically speaking I wanted me and my guys to know they could reach out, but I'm not trained to find the answers, these guys are. I ensured this service was extended through to immediate family, as I know from experience if something isn't right in the household I won't be alright at work and it can have a knock on effect. It was also important to know it is completely anonymous, all we get is an invoice with a reference number. I can't begin to describe how helpful it's been and knowing there's a trained professional on the other end of the line to help, what ever the problem has been amazing (and reasonably affordable). Next I spoke at great length with all staff about sick days, and encouraged everyone to use them as mental health days too, although we're still not at the stage where one of my guys will explicitly say they've taken a day for their mental wellbeing, we have a code that says no matter what they say the day off is for, I won't ask questions or judge, just do them first and the company second, the company is nothing without the staff. next up I've worked on culture and morale, this is a hard nut to crack, but trying to make the environment better and remove any stresses we can within what we can control. Knowing how the guys like to operate has been a huge part, one of my guys feels less stressed when he can see his outlook of work for weeks in advance, another one of my guys will go into his shell if you give him more than one job at time. Now I know all of that I give them all the tools they need to succeed as best as they can. Realistically that's about as much as I can control, I can't predict the work flow, outside factors are out of my control too. That's my 10 cents, do whatever you can in your control, anything outside of it learn to accept and move on as positively as possible, hold a high standard of how you treat other people and they'll give you the same back. Cheers from NZ
I found the power of now by eckhart tolle and shrinking the smirch by Jo Johnson help a great deal in overcoming stressful days.
I'm not a builder/carpenter buy work as a jeweller and it's similar there, most bench jewellers are self employed (saves the shop's owners with pesky things like PAYE and sick pay, holiday time etc) and it's much the same, most of us are working 10/12 hour days and expected to complete jobs within hours and people are usually scared to speak about their health, mental or physical.
Wow Andy, that surprised me about your industry, lets hope things can improve for both our sectors mate, have a good weekend
@@ukconstruction it surprises a lot of people, the margins are tiny and profit is maximised everywhere possible. Hopefully change happens bit by bit. Have a great weekend too
Perhaps something that might help is some kind of booklet from a/the relevant building federation/s (for those that are signed up obviously) to give to the client when the actual work contract is agreed. It could cover 'resonable expectations from the builder', and also 'reasonable expectations from the client', which could cover things like add-ons, weather, deadlines etc. Maybe this kind of 'soft contract' would help avoid some of the stresses while also giving some confidence to both parties and something to refer to if things do start to go wrong?
Hi Robin I'm a dyslexic, I have problem communicating, I have a problem reading and understanding instruction, I have a problem standing up for myself when a client is running rough shod over me without being rude to them. I love you channel but when you talk about your roofing square you might as well being talking in Japanese. I have lots of problem I have to deal with which 22 months of counselling did help me with coping abilities, but back to your point "I don't think people are that interested they just want to do there job and go" and I've had client take advantage and screw me over. It's good to hear comments from the other subscribers thank you for that, everyone, and well done Robin for bring the subject up.
Hi Bob, I hear you mate, you have had challenges and they are tough, where are you based?? Maybe we could chat these issues through? Maybe I may have some techniques that could help you?? And as far as the square is concerned I could show you how it works bro, there are many ways to learn! Who knows you maybe close enough to me to have an hour or two with me to go through it
@@ukconstruction I live near Twickenham, I have a garden room to do in a little while maybe you could help me with that, (Greenford)so at lest you could be paid for your time. A few weeks back I was working with Paul Rogers (Gappo tape) helping him fix his leaky roofs and he speaks highly of you. If Greenford is to far away I don't mind helping you on your next cut roof! But honestly Paul told me of how hard you work and your time is valuable. I'm 65 and worked my life from 16 in the building, there are young persons that would benefit like the two lads you have now. Thank you for replying
Yassss 🔥
Bit late in the day, but i got out of the game in 2009. The stress was killing me. I moved out of London, with family, and have never looked back. It got to the point where, in 2011 when i saw a Jewsons lorry in the village and literally gagged in my car. The stress had done that to me. Funnily enough , as a favour, i have just done a small job for someone, and the hatred started to return.
Do you feel stressed when watching building work on UA-cam?
@@ukconstructionOddly no. I love watching your channel and a few others, plus i really like Grand Designs. After my recent excursion into helping someone out...no favour goes unpunished..I really don't ever want to see a tool again. I have a shed of them as a constant reminder of why i left the game. The job was with you 24/7 ..it was metaphorically, cancerous.
same, the audio is only playing on the left
Stress is a strange thing. You cant predict when, where or how its going to strike. You can be in the most stressfull of life or death situations on a regular basis and not suffer from it but then a few years later be trying to please too many clients and bang you get hit by it.
Just had a builder try to bump me £2500 for a roof I built.
More stress and hassle trying to get paid than doing the actual work itself
Great video Robin 🙏🏼👍🏼
Any joy or news on the new latch jig ?
Cheers mate 👍🏼
I thought for sure you were going to say that you'd have to be mental to get into this industry! Jks. I've been self-employed, almost exclusively, for almost 35 years. It is a hard slog, with some really excellent perks, but so much uncertainty. I'm babysitting a non/late-paying client right now, so don't anyone assume that it will necessarily get easier the longer you're in the trades. I have had some stellar years, but I've also had times where I sat staring at the phone, wondering if there would be more working coming, and where might I find other work... 7-11? Sure, I can pour a slurpee. And the looming threat of "retirement" is the latest issue that I deal with, wondering how and where and what it might look like, considering there is no pension and gold watch at the end of my career. I have been designing custom homes for over three decades, as well as running my own footing company (that died in '08 with the economy) and a brief stint in the early 90's doing renovation and framing Fortunately, being mostly a desk jockey, I don't have the physical wear and tear on me that so many of the guys I see in the trades, so I can keep plugging away at the computer until I drop over. LOL (that is literally my retirement strategy)
It’s always been a stressful life if you’re self employed I did it for 45 years lived though the 15% interest rates in the Eighties,if you got a wife and kids mortgage etc you just get on with it!
Is there a more diamond geeza than Robin?!
yeah, it's stressful and that's the price we have to pay I'm afraid.
It is tough out here though in it boys.
..... Cancellations.... Thays what i struggle with.. Especially as i do small jobs 2 or 3 days tops, people think its not a big deal to cancel at the last minute.
Ive just had a week off for the yearly holiday... To the isle of wight(cant afford a fancy foreign holiday 😂) back at work monday and both this weeks jobs i messaged yesterday in preparation for the following week.. Both cancelled... So i now have had a week off for a holiday which is a problem anyway as no money for a week and now im either down another week or ive got to spend my weekend finding replacement work.
Its something that's gotten worse in recent years i expect to lose on average 1 week a month to Cancellations and the stress thats causing always either running around trying to reschedule work or just losing a weeks money every month often makes me despair and consider going back to normal work.
You then have 2 or 3 good weeks, work saturdays to catch up and then it happens again and your back to square 1.
Went self employed 6 years ago as id like to own my own property and working an unskilled job it was never going to happen... 6 years later despite earning twice as much per day im actually no better off and far more stressed.
I bottle things up and then it all comes out usually in a rant or outburst it must be horrible for my wife and all those around me.
At first you dont realise your doing it.. Or convince yourself your not due to male bravado.
It would help if the industry had some kind of reliable and affordable insurance to cover clients not paying, theft of tools, protection from companies that go bankrupt (Carrilion, ROK UK,)
Sickness, weather disruption.
And more and more protection of our trade qualifications,
I spent 5 years as an apprentice on less than half of the minimum wage at the time to gain my city and guilds qualification in joinery. Companies employ non qualified operatives for minimum wage, supply power tools and charge them as qualified tradespeople to clients.
Anyone wit a tape measure and toolbelt can set up a handy man business undercutting time served workers.
Great stuff Robin. I often question whether its really worth tlll the stress it causes being self employed.
Myself and other tradesmen i know and work with believe that customers are far more difficult to deal with compared to say 10-15 years ago. I wonder if other tradespeople on here feel the same?
Is your mic set to left chanel insted of mono? Good call on the subject matter, been self employed (tech, not building trades) in the past and the ups and downs were mighty.
robin like yourself and lots off other carpenters & joiners as well call them up here in the north , i love the ability to be able to start something from scratch and build it and do a good pro job . but the first thing you get rammed down your ears every day on site is when is that going to be finnished ! they just dont give a damm about the tradesman trying to do a pro job .and what ends up happining is you start cutting corners ,i absolutley hate that robin then the pressure is on you and you start to make mistakes , its a absolute vicious circle now days robin . i know loads of good lads whom were very good at the carpenrty trade but have long since gone out of the construction game . why ! pressure pressure pressure every day . could not wait to get out off the joinery game working on day rate is worse than being on price work .its just got worse every year all they think about is how much money they can rob from the client and pay the tradesman a pittence off a wage .thats why you just dont see the younger kids in the construction . another factor is the amount off battery power tools you need is now beyond the joke ,i have to use the family car as i cant afford a van then their is the security locks you need on a van otherwise you get wiped out . no wounder their is hardley any younger lads wanting to be a joiner or what ever .its a massive problem that the main companys dont want to know about ,its ohh your self employed get on with it NOT INTERESTED i can never see it changing for the better . i get friends and family saying to me why are you working on a saturday and sunday ? are you mad . and i tell them the absolute joys of being self employed , i have to get the acorns out of the field whilst they are availible ! not tommorrow when they are gone . they look at me as if i have come from another planet , they just dont understand what its like .
You are right that most people don't have a clue about what is involved in running any sort of business. Even those that do have some expertise, have gained that experience in running a large, well-established business where the roles and responsibilites are all sorted and there is a staff in place that has the experience to deal with the majority of problems that come up in the business day-to-day. Running a small business, growing business with staff is the hardest job in management.