I’ve been self employed for most of my working life, I was a carpenter builder in Scotland that retired and bought a farm in Queensland, Australia. The best thing I ever did was to make enough money to be able to retire very early and then just take all the hassle out of my life. I now get up in the morning and decide to do nothing most days, it’s the only way to go.
Behind every successful man is a good woman? What? Every man I've met on site has a tale to tell, a tale of divorce and financial disaster. They are all still having to work 7 days a week and basically start again at 55 and 60 year old when after a life on site, should be winding down. My pal, his wife took him for 200k, had to sell up start again. Talking to a bricklayer, wife took everything, he's left her in the house with kids, he's renting a room, has to leave all his fishing tackle in his mates lockup 15 mile away as no room for it, had a nice car, now got a 20 year old banger. They've all got tales of woe to tell, everyone of em, in fact once one starts at breaktime, they all start, she's left me credit card debts etc. One bloke told me about his ex wife, he was working his socks off 7 days and giving her money for all the bills, she never paid anything, hid all the demands, helped herself to the till over months and months at her job in the corner shop, took anything of value out of his house, cleared off to Scotland with his son! She'd been saving up all the money to leave him, left him in a right tangle!
I was a workaholic when I had my own business, got to 45 and I was burnt out, my knees have gone, back is knackered, hardly ever made any money, the sort of money others seemed to make, all I ever seemed to do was pay my labour, wholesaler bills, my bills and mortgage. I could never afford a holiday. Hindsite is wonderful and we all wish we could go back and take a different route, however, we can't and have to wear the pants we were given. Packed it all up 20 odd years ago and worked PAYE and don't regret it. OK, I cant nip off when I feel like it, I had fixed hours. Now over 60, no mortgage just normal bills. Just watching the clock till I retire, I cant wait.😊
I'm 59, I'm a cabinetmaker, so not strictly the building trade, but still a highly skilled trade. My one member of staff who'd worked with me for 20 years retired at 67 years of age three years ago and I've worked on my own ever since. I should mention that I've suffered from Ulerative colitis for 31 years now and can confirm that running a business in this day and age is VERY stressful, especially with also dealing with a serious chronic illness. It's a constant battle of trying to keep up with all the paperwork , getting the quotes out, and doing the actual jobs, I try and give accurate lead-times but always overrun no matter how much extra time I think I've allowed for in the quote, I'm greatful of course for ALWAYS being very busy, but a home life every now and again would be great, I'm typing this comment out now while in my workshop at 01:16 am on a Sunday which in itself should tell you a lot about being a one man band running a business in the UK IN 2023.
You want a hobby. I ran my own business for 20 years as a door and furniture stripper/restorer, 6am till 10pm, 7 days a week even working Christmas day to get top side of stuff. All of a sudden I noticed a few pals dropping dead around the late forties early fifties mark, worked hard all their lives then drop dead. I thought there has to be more to life than this. I now potter about part time and work comes second not first. I now go fishing, riding my mountain bike or simply clear off for the day with the dog, flask n sarnies 👍
Sorry to hear this mate Wish I still live in uk Iwould of come help u out I want to learn a trade when I was there but know one wanted to take me on So I did jobs I hate so I came back to Barbados am now doing renovations as a side hustles only did 3 jobs but I love it Looking back and saying I did that, sorry to boring you with my story. Something will come in play and make life easier if it in happen yet
What a top bloke. Get yourself and family on Holiday though, it’s important. If you’re always looking for perfection you will never be happy. 99.9% of the time no one will even notice what you think could be done better 👍🏻
@@SJWardBuilders Do it. I did well as a builder, retired early, I'm sat here watching this and it's hit me hard. I now know working seven days a week, I missed a massive part of my children early years. All time you can't get back.
Excellent video reflecting the issues facing actual hard working people, not the usual UA-cam fakesters. The millions of men watching Andrew Tate spouting nonsense should all watch this video and learn about the real world. I can relate to every point raised here. Tradesmen are not appreciated. I had a plumber round recently and he did a fantastic job for a fair price. He wants to pack it in and become a “day trader” because his knees are killing him. He’s 35. I told him: “one good plumber is worth a million ‘day traders’ - he’s helping people unlike a ‘day trader’ who’s a gambling waste of space!” Keep up the good work 👍👍👍
That was a really good chat that touched on many points all builders can relate to. I think for UK builders you have a lot of extra issues, horrible weather, strict regulations and laws and buildings that are a lot more complex than other countries. I've said this before when you had your chat with Robin about quoting, that the easiest way to remove much of the stress and actually increase your profits is to truely work for yourself and build and sell your own houses. Or renovate and flip, or rent and build a portfolio. With the tightening of lending, this maybe more difficult these days but its an ideal to aim for. Once I got my foot in the door and started buying and renovating my own houses pretty much all that stress fell away.
Been self employed for 42 years, hardly had any holidays in that time . Although paid my mortgage off by the time I was 40 . Now at the age of 63 started to feel my body has had enough of brick laying, plastering, plumbing , cut roofs , concreting and the rest . I have started to cut back now and only work on day rate now
Brilliant chat gentlemen! I am a full time teacher and am currently renovating a house at weekends. This weekend I am so tired I have not gone to the house, it can get so monotonous. It seems to be all work and no play. My wife has filled skips, cut wood, and helped me in so many ways, she is indispensable. Although I do not have diabetes I did have a heart attack last year. Try not to be so hard on yourself, make sure you have life insurance and take care of yourself above all else. Thank you for this.
FairPlay lads, I’ve been a self employed sparky for 5 years now and I’ve had difficult start but things are going really well now. A good nights sleep is a top tip 👍
Being self employed is a mixed blessing indeed but generally one tends to work harder and for longer. Having to be careful with diabetes adds another level of complexity. Sam, I hope your efforts are reflected in your charges as generally speaking most people would rather pay a little more for a job well done!
Quote them a little higher than you expect you can always reduce the price at the end. You know what you need to earn each day to lead a comfortable life. Thanks Roger nice to know that from the video and comments there are people out there with the same struggles.
Quote them higher and they may reply: “I’ll get the Eastern Europeans to do it. They quoted half your price!” I’ve had that actual conversation endless times.
Nice stuff. Videos like this will pass most folk by without leaving a mark but there'll be a couple of people who really, really needed to hear someone else chatting about that stuff.
What a wonderful conversation, I have been self employed all my life working on a small family farm. My father tried to stop me saying that I would never earn any money, how true he was but I have forged a living with my wonderful wife and have now diversified into accommodation and camping, a lot of work, great fun wonderful people that we meet each year.
This is possibly the best video of yours I've seen and I'm a big fan As a professional maintenance engineer who worked alone for decades, and with minimal support, and where it was expected that multiple issues per day were quickly resolved within a time scale on the first visit, I understand sleeping on a problem completely. I hated wrapping calls into the next day but always resolved them after a good nights sleep. I used to do a full days work, go home and then study and and learn the about the individual components of the equipment involved to discover what made them work and fail. I was successful but it all meant nothing. There is so much I can relate to with video. Thank you.
What an amazing video . I can relate to so much you both talked about there . Up until June 2021 I have worked for someone else and have been told a Couple of times I’ve made a lot of money over the years ….. unfortunately for other people . I’m struggling with the pricing and organising and mistakes are costly . I worked on my own for many years until 2016 when Alex left school and wanted to work with me . That changed everything for me and truly blessed that I get to work with my son and best mate . We look out for each other and he more or less carries me now that my health isn’t good . After a hard days graft you feel tired but content, after a hard day of stress you are burnt out …. Stress ain’t fun . Sam get yourself off on holiday even a long weekend just to unwind you and the family deserve it . Thanks again for the video 🙏🏽🤜🏽🤛🏽🧱👍🏽
I had the absolute pleasure of working with my dad and remember all the things he taught me, sometimes I use his old tools and get the sense his hand still guides mine
Just watched this video and how crazy that I am a type 1 diabetic for 35 years as well and an Electrician by trade although I am in engineering now, brings its own stressses. Being a diabetic is a never ending daily battle, wears you out as well.
totally agree with everything said, well done guys 👍. I am a bricklayer and I used to love my job up until I HAD to do it. Once I had to do it to pay the bills I started to hate it. 37 years in feels too late to start anything else. Also you saying its less grief working for someone else, site work these days is run by a trade contractor under an umbrella to the main contractor, most of which have site managers that aren't trade related and higher ups who are only interested in bonuses, so us actual tradesmen(that want to do a good job) dont have the time needed.
8:15 this little comment is so true. To come away from a job that you’ve put so much effort into with the same, or less than minimum wage can be soul destroying. So many people just won’t realise that it can happen. And actually, working alone and not with any other trades on site I have no reference points about what I do, this was refreshing to know its not just me, SO many points in this video were completely relatable.
I don't think that the general public have any idea how hard it can be for an honest tradesperson to make a job pay. There are just too many variables.
That was a great video fellas, showing how working for yourself isn't the bed of roses that lots of people think it is. Having run my own business for the last twenty years or so, I still have no problem with the actual work but the stress and mither is the killer. At home in the evenings the worry of tomorrow's problems or issues (thankfully rare) with an awkward customer are always on the back of my mind. Yet the thought that keeps me going is feed the family and pay those bills. BTW, what are those 'holiday' things you talked about?
Thank you both I'm not in the building trade but watching this makes me realise how much a lot of these things mirror my feelings. We need more of men being open in general
This video hit so many bells n whistles of being self employed! Loved this thanks guys. Personally for me I work in peoples houses as if it were my own, the client/customer 99% wouldn't have a clue but I would & to stop me waking up a 2am worrying about a damn job I always go full out as close to 100% as I possible can. I do a job to a point where I physically cannot even snag myself. easy lesson to learn when you are starting out so the ghosts of the past (jobs) never come back to haunt you....
I'm not a trade (although I seem to do more renovation than my job these days) but I am self employed and can relate to everything said here. It's hard to to get right and I'm far from it. Always fighting the pricing vs what is delivered battle and without a partner to encourage me to go on holiday I just keep working because of the if your not working your not earning mentality. I often think of jacking it in and working for someone else for the stress free life with all the perks of being an employee but that comes with it's own problems. It's honest open chats like this that we need from people in the same situation to put things into perspective.
wow thanks for that ,reminds me of the good days 3 blokes in a transit just chatting personal stuff , thanks also to your mate opening up about the problems with diabetes and the problems im type 2 and when your grafting it can cause problems , we all know the building is not pc bollox but its how we have always liked it probably last place we will find it didnt mind being called a daft cnut when i was young its what was known as character building , more chats like this please
I'm a 58 bricklayer , work 5 days a week and go to the gym 3 times a week . Dont smoke and drink very modestly. My days of weekend work are over , I enjoy my graft and hard work was instilled into me from a very young age. All the best lads.
I'm in a very similar position to Sam, diabetes in a physical job is a major stress because it's very hard to walk that tightrope when you don't know what's going to be expected of you every day, you can end up running high all day because you were expecting to be grafting or you can end up fading to jelly because you had to push harder than expected and didn't get time to eat properly, you end up putting yourself in dangerous positions because you know you need half an hour for that food to bring you back up but you've only got 10 minutes before you need to be somewhere else. It's a real grind that never ends and because you're used to suffering in silence you tend to apply this to your whole life, you're conditioned to endure. I don't know what the answer is, I'm burning out and I don't know what to do to turn it around. I don't really have the money or desire for holidays and I can only realistically take time off in the winter, if work comes up in the winter I have to take it because I'm a single income household so it's all on me. This year in particular it's felt like I'm working more but I'm earning less somehow and I'm struggling.
I've recently become self employed and after 6 months just come back from a holiday, only thing was I was checking the plumbing at the resort 😅. I eventually managed to switch off but now I really am struggling to get motivated to get back into work.
The best advice I was given on deciding I'd go self employed was to never undervalue myself and my ability. If you are a rescuer in life that can be difficult! Excellent view on self employment.
Roger love this video think you need to do more like this. Just a casual chat with different people in the building game to tell their stories and opinions. Watching this was like having 10 o’clock tea break. I can definitely relate to all the points in the conversation.👍👍👍
Been there, done that, would never have lasted 40+ years of self employment without having a break. About 30 years ago I was burned out skint, and fed up, then a job went wrong big time because my brain was frazzled. I thought " fuck it I am not going broke while working my fingers to the bone", so I just doubled my prices pretty much. I didn't loose that much work and started making a decent wage and making ends meet. Loads of us underprice our work, or under value our skills, why?? Self employment is lonely, no one will tell you where you are going wrong, most of us are trades, not business people.
Exactly. Very well said: we're trades not business people. I have been a plaster and builder for over 10 years now and worked so hard that sometimes I get to the point where I just don't wanna wake up the next day. But the main problem is that I don't make enough money out of it. Customers are always happy and recommend me but I don't make a decent dollar out of it. All other guys seem to drive all those nice trucks and spend time eating lunch and I am the opposite. Fuck, need to really increase what I am charging cos it seems to me that people call me for a great value for money reason. I love the job I like working hard but I definitely struggle with the business/sale part of this. Cheers
Mate what you have said is so right I've been self employed for 38 yrs Got fuck all to show for it But last 8 yrs worked for a decent contractor on ok money But when it comes down to it I've got by in life (just ) And I love the building trade I'm a multi trader
Go for it, up your pricing. I got my wife’s family to get prices for renovations from multiple companies so I could have a starting point , kinda frown on but it’s business. Also get a good book keeper, they may have other contractors that they do the books for and may be able to give advise. There are also consultants to help grow your business. I’ve also straight up asked other contractors in the lumber yard about pricing and most of them are happy to chat numbers. Best of luck ,
Really nice to hear how genuine you both are. I work in people's houses and I'm a sucker for an old dear. Some times i just haven't got the time with the calls booked. Thanks!
You guys are describing me 😅 my misses is constantly nagging me to charge more. Tbh, the customer always pays me more than what I asked for and tells me to charge more. I'm forever fixing 10 other things on the job. Thanks for your wisdom
"we all know there's abrasive characters on the building site, I could be one" had me in stitches, the most pleasant man you could ever hope to find on a site
Treble your prices tomorrow less work less hassle but you will earn the same amount money, quality of life is so important. I just found this out after 30 years se, thank you for this great video.
One of your best videos Roger👍 I think it's the tip of the iceberg in our industry. I'm going through the whole burnout for the last year and slowly trying to work through it... so so much I could talk about on this subject... Listen to Uncle Roger and get your holidays booked. It doesn't matter if its half way through a job, and remember to look after yourself. You're the most valuable tool in the van! None of the other can do fu*k all if you're not fit and healthy. Roger I'd love to chat about the self employed industry in construction if you ever fancy?
Great these chats. I work alone as a Cabinet Maker and can relate to all in the discussion and proves we all share the same experences. Good point Rodger, the job itself is not the problem, its the money and everything else !
Great video - thanks. I'm not a builder but I've worked on my own most of my working life. I do suffer from anxiety but have had some talking therapies which has helped me keep things in perspective. Being your own boss, can't beat it!
I'm not a builder, I'm a self employed metalsmith but I can absolutely relate. Being self employed is hard, the fear of turning work away, the fear of no big contributed pension, that mortgage that never seems to go down...always giving the client the extra mile. Which I do, constantly over supply and under charge, especially with rising gold prices ..and then you get the "whilst I'm here could you just.." locking time for holidays is always a challenge but I can see the value in those. I'm so happy to have found this channel, it's also fantastic to see real men giving their wives the credit/respect they deserve. Can I get a Jen too?
Hi guys. Great video. I was a self employed sparkie for over 40 years and loved it, but what folks dont realise is that when you work for yourself, much of the time you are on your own. Any issues on the job, or personal problems get magnified because you have no one else to talk to. Whereas on a site quite often the other trades will help put your head straight just by talking. Thats exactly what this video does. Helps sort your head out. Take care out there guys !!
Thanks for this chat, i dont get to discuss these thoughts with anyone and people outside the industry don't understand the stresses and money issues when it seems like we earn so much but always struggling and stressed to get a perfect finish on every job. So good to hear others feeling the same, thanks
It is good to know that this is useful, the feeling of being isolated is common among the self employed. I often look at the mountain of work ahead of me and think 'There is only me doing this, when I stop the job stops and the end point moves further away. My approach was to work harder and longer but that just leads to more depression. We all need some help from time to time but finding someone who has the work ethic is not easy.
Can relate to some of this. I'm not self employed but I have been cursed with the 'people pleasing' gene, which means I will break my neck to make sure I help anyone who asks, whether that is extra hours at work or doing projects for friends and relatives, but at the sacrifice of spending any time on myself. I only seem to get motivated to do things for others, when it comes to me I can't do it as it just seems like a load of hassle. Also never been on a holiday!
great video guys,such a true honest video i personally and sure most other self employed tradesmen can relate to this, gives a true insight into the reality of being a builder or tradesmen in uk currently and the highlights the many ever increasing problems we have to deal with on a daily basis , CUSTOMERS watching hopefully get a glimpse of the reality builders are facing and that the building /actual work part is the easy bit and how much unseen work goes on away from the site. total respect to both you guys , listen to the advice from skill builder who has been there and done it and walked the path you are on, family time and making memories with loved ones is far more important than anything else, time is more valuable than anything and you can never get it back once its gone, jobs and work are a necessity but easy to replace and irrelevant really in the scheme of things, nobody regrets and wishes they had spent more time at work when there time is up
As I got older I realised more that we don't have much time on this earth and took on board the mottos "Work to Live" and "Retire as soon as you can". I then focused on the latter and retired at 61. If you absolutely love work so much that you would rather do that than have hobbies and be with family and friends, carry on working, but it wasn't for me. PS, holidays are essential!!!
CGP I have seen many people retire early and die or go into decline. In the future retiring at 70 will be normal. I like work, it keeps you sharp. Once you surround yourself with retired people your point of reference is altered.
@@SkillBuilderI can't see hardworking tradespeople going on until 70, either way there's a middle way - taking time to travel and having a change now and then as you said about your own holidays. I emigrated after seeing the corruption top to bottom in the UK - best thing I ever did, the UK (esp England) isn't a life, it's an existence.
A very enjoyable video, lads. Some important points raised here about looking after yourself. I can relate to what Sam said about blood sugar affecting work... sometimes my productivity plummets and I can take an hour to do something that would normally take me 5 minutes. I'm aware of it but just can't take a break to get back on track. Learning all the time.
Very interesting chat lads. I can relate to most of this but recently iv started taking time out to enjoy myself. Just mark random long weekends into the diary and stick to it. Life just feels like a drag if you have nothing to look forward to. Your Mrs sounds like a star. Get her away into the sun, life's short.
Hi all . Good stuff , nice to see you talk about the job and how it can become the be all and end all of your life . But the fact you both are committed to do the best work you can , immediately sets you apart from many others . Rodger is right to say you need a break , and usually people are prepared to wait when they know there going to get a good job at the end of it . Another point to remember is knowing when to say no , far better to be up front with people and say I’m sorry but I’m just too busy . And not tie your self in not’s trying to keep everybody happy . Best wishes and kind regards as always 😀👍👍👍
So true, your own values dictate what you charge. As I have got better with the building work I look after myself more. It`s bad if you make good money, with bad health trying to enjoy it. The people around you are vital if you want to enjoy the day at work.
Sam and Rodger. Really enjoyed your conversation. Sam who need to you easy on yourself. Diabetes and your family should be your number One priority. Because everyone looks after themselves. I work in a dialysis unit and the affect badly mange diabetes has on someone kidneys can life-changing. Give yourself some TLC for you and the family and take a holiday.
Thank you Andrew, when I met my wife twenty years ago she really helped me get my diabetes under control and since then I have had excellent control! however poor control before that has caused serious damage to my eye sight. Im a patient at moorfields eye hospital who I hold in the highest regard. Now I try to help young type ones understand how serious a condition it is, using my life as an example of what happens with poor control and how to turn it around. Kind regards Sam Ward.
So good to listen to this. I have been self employed plasterer/general builder for over a decade now. Previously worked for the companies. It's all true what you are saying. Good night sleep is my go to solution. I only see builders that i work with who get sll the same struggles as you mentione but at the same time value the freedom and flexibility that you get from being self-employed. Often at the cost of working longer hours, having less time off and money. I recently applied for some employment positions in the same business feeling bitnt out and an idiot working like a donkey and not getting the rewards all others seem to get. Fortunately the company haven't responded to my application because after all i didn't really want to be someone else's slave. I think the key points are to charge accordingly and make a living, get time off, try not to work weekends (i calculated thay for last ten years because of working weekends and long hourse i worked easily 2 years longer then someone working Monday to Friday over the same 10 years - i can clearly see the mileage on my body - not worth it), don't over book yourself. Thanks for the great 👍 conversation!
Brilliant video. I got burnt out as a superintendent so I decided to set up my own renovation company so I ended up burning out doing that, but at least the effort wasn’t in vein. At this point the company was quite established with a good reputation and was doing very well financially. So I took some time to restructure, I bought tools that made certain tasks easier(I previously always said that tools too expensive) I increased all my rates and pricing and I scheduled 2 to 3 weeks between jobs so I’ve got breathing room and can go on a holiday with the family. It’s still hard but I love it. Irish builder now located in Vancouver.cheers
Excellent chat gents. I feel the younger chap hasn’t quite sussed it yet. It normally clicks around that age. Your health and mental well being are paramount. Be careful, it can all fall in around you if you’re not careful. I know this, unfortunately. Take the time off, do nothing, sometimes. Re-charge. Charge more money to allow this to happen. People will pay for good work. It not a lifestyle, it’s ‘only’ work. Remember what you’re doing it for. It’s to live, not to bust a gut. Above all, don’t take the Mrs for granted. Things tend to change. Best of luck, you’ll be fine. 💪👍
I can emphasis with Sam and his health issues, as I've got problems myself that stops me from driving and as such has meant I lost my job as a carpenter. He's lucky to have Jen so take her away and just do your best mate. 👍👍
I'm sorry to hear this Kevin, and all the comments I read that you make on this channel, mine and many others, indicate that you have/had a great understanding and keenness for carpentry. Take care bud.
@@thetallcarpenter I really do Del and I feel I could have offered the industry a lot for at least 15 - 20 years more, but unfortunately without transport it became impossible to move tools around. I especially enjoy watching your channel as I think it is realistic to the fact you've a client to keep happy whilst trying to do the best job you can. I appreciate your comment and I'll keep watching you for as long as you keep the channel going.👏👏👏👏
What a profound conversation. I really didn’t expect this. The honesty, insight and relatability from two normal blokes compared to all these stupid UA-cam influencers is incompatible. Well done gents.
I can so relate to this. I put such high expectations on myself, if the job goes absolutely perfectly and I get on with the clients, if the smallest of things go wrong, I feel like I've messed up big time and the whole job is a failure. I have low self esteem too, so this would explain it.
Brilliant video gents, kudos to Sam being self employed in this game and Type 1, my son was diagnosed a few years ago and the struggle is real. Take care guys 💪🏻👊🏻
Bloody hell, same age as me and I've barely go going yet never mind retire! no house, no car, no holidays! I'll be working at my own funeral at this rate.
The burnout got me a few years back when I realised I could never reach the carrot, the faster I ran, the faster the hamster wheel turned. Now I drift along, waiting for the inevitable.
My Dad is 79 and still in the building game. run his own business since 1987, he loves it! only finished doing house renovations and extentions 2 years ago! now just does small work. He loves comfortable and it keeps him active and sharp minded.
Ive been a self employed builder for 41 years and served in the British Army for 8 years before that. For the last ten years I've only worked on a day rate, its better for the client and I invoice at the end of each month, i enjoy the worrk so much more as the financial pressure is just not there.
Brilliant great to watch as a self employed carpenter and double glazing fitteri ii burned myself out had to take nearly two years off work the srres just built up that much couldn’t function but I recovered and just pick work now that just suits me and customer don’t make a furtune but enjoy going to work every day
Brilliant video Roger, hopefully Sam comes back for another podcast. Echo the other comments here too and say take yourself and Jen on Holiday, no one looks back on life when they're old, grey and retired and wishes they'd worked more (generally at least), work to live, don't live to work 👌Gotta say your podcasts are a favorite of mine, they always touch on good topics and are quality. Best of luck Sam
That was brilliant! We could do with more videos like this. So many situations in there that I recognise and great to know that its the same for other people too. Thanks Roger.
Its great to hear you guys chatting about the stresses and strains of the building game, and 'a problem shared is a problem solved' as they say👍Thanks for the video 😎
I built an extension many years ago and a garage conversion on the back of it.I look at it all now and wonder where I got the motivation and effort from.Just me pretty well.I am knocking on now and agree motivation drops very low for the smallest of jobs.
Thanks guys, it's good to hear most of us have similar problems. I love what I do and like to think I'm good at it but the deadlines, keeping work coming in and general business management fry my brain. I'm sat here on a Sunday evening with very tight deadline looming trying to explain to my better half that I'm gonna have to pit some very long days in to meet the deadline (not entirely of my own making either). Then there's the chasing of late payments and bills to be paid. Can't quit though, I have worked for others & hated every minute.
We used to dream about holidays when I was younger, going from living room to upstairs bedroom was the closest thing to travel 😊 rodger always enjoy your vid . Feel for your mate with diabetes. Keep making the vids pal .
Can relate to all of this. I work by myself doing extensions! Can be really stressful one day and the next, the radio is on, the sun is shining and it’s the best job! Would like a clone of me to work with! Hard work finding descents people!
Guys. 40 years as a plumber and that's the most relatable conversation ever.
Mate, Just want I was thinking. Best vid they’ve done.
I was a self employed flooring contractor for over 40 yrs and I sacked myself many times, but I always took myself back on again the next day 😂!!
I’ve been self employed for most of my working life, I was a carpenter builder in Scotland that retired and bought a farm in Queensland, Australia. The best thing I ever did was to make enough money to be able to retire very early and then just take all the hassle out of my life. I now get up in the morning and decide to do nothing most days, it’s the only way to go.
Lucky bugger
Two proper legends just having a chat ❤. Behind a successful man most often is a good woman 😘
Ive definitely got the best good women she is the legend!!!
You mean a moaning woman!!!!
Behind every successful man is a good woman? What? Every man I've met on site has a tale to tell, a tale of divorce and financial disaster. They are all still having to work 7 days a week and basically start again at 55 and 60 year old when after a life on site, should be winding down. My pal, his wife took him for 200k, had to sell up start again. Talking to a bricklayer, wife took everything, he's left her in the house with kids, he's renting a room, has to leave all his fishing tackle in his mates lockup 15 mile away as no room for it, had a nice car, now got a 20 year old banger. They've all got tales of woe to tell, everyone of em, in fact once one starts at breaktime, they all start, she's left me credit card debts etc. One bloke told me about his ex wife, he was working his socks off 7 days and giving her money for all the bills, she never paid anything, hid all the demands, helped herself to the till over months and months at her job in the corner shop, took anything of value out of his house, cleared off to Scotland with his son! She'd been saving up all the money to leave him, left him in a right tangle!
I was a workaholic when I had my own business, got to 45 and I was burnt out, my knees have gone, back is knackered, hardly ever made any money, the sort of money others seemed to make, all I ever seemed to do was pay my labour, wholesaler bills, my bills and mortgage. I could never afford a holiday. Hindsite is wonderful and we all wish we could go back and take a different route, however, we can't and have to wear the pants we were given.
Packed it all up 20 odd years ago and worked PAYE and don't regret it. OK, I cant nip off when I feel like it, I had fixed hours. Now over 60, no mortgage just normal bills. Just watching the clock till I retire, I cant wait.😊
I'm 59, I'm a cabinetmaker, so not strictly the building trade, but still a highly skilled trade. My one member of staff who'd worked with me for 20 years retired at 67 years of age three years ago and I've worked on my own ever since. I should mention that I've suffered from Ulerative colitis for 31 years now and can confirm that running a business in this day and age is VERY stressful, especially with also dealing with a serious chronic illness. It's a constant battle of trying to keep up with all the paperwork , getting the quotes out, and doing the actual jobs, I try and give accurate lead-times but always overrun no matter how much extra time I think I've allowed for in the quote, I'm greatful of course for ALWAYS being very busy, but a home life every now and again would be great, I'm typing this comment out now while in my workshop at 01:16 am on a Sunday which in itself should tell you a lot about being a one man band running a business in the UK IN 2023.
You want a hobby. I ran my own business for 20 years as a door and furniture stripper/restorer, 6am till 10pm, 7 days a week even working Christmas day to get top side of stuff.
All of a sudden I noticed a few pals dropping dead around the late forties early fifties mark, worked hard all their lives then drop dead. I thought there has to be more to life than this.
I now potter about part time and work comes second not first.
I now go fishing, riding my mountain bike or simply clear off for the day with the dog, flask n sarnies 👍
So Cr, 💯, i can relate to all of that
Sorry to hear this mate
Wish I still live in uk Iwould of come help u out I want to learn a trade when I was there but know one wanted to take me on
So I did jobs I hate so I came back to Barbados am now doing renovations as a side hustles only did 3 jobs but I love it
Looking back and saying I did that, sorry to boring you with my story. Something will come in play and make life easier if it in happen yet
What a top bloke. Get yourself and family on Holiday though, it’s important. If you’re always looking for perfection you will never be happy. 99.9% of the time no one will even notice what you think could be done better 👍🏻
Take Jen on holiday ASAP! She sounds like a gem!
Jen and my girls are my most precious gems and hopefully will go away in the half term holiday
@@SJWardBuilders Do it. I did well as a builder, retired early, I'm sat here watching this and it's hit me hard. I now know working seven days a week, I missed a massive part of my children early years. All time you can't get back.
@@SJWardBuilders Fair play Sam 👍
Italy dude. Cheapish, the People are niceish and the place is weird enough and different enough to feal exotic. Cheep flights there too.
Dont let Roger take Jen on holiday! :)
Excellent video reflecting the issues facing actual hard working people, not the usual UA-cam fakesters. The millions of men watching Andrew Tate spouting nonsense should all watch this video and learn about the real world. I can relate to every point raised here. Tradesmen are not appreciated. I had a plumber round recently and he did a fantastic job for a fair price. He wants to pack it in and become a “day trader” because his knees are killing him. He’s 35. I told him: “one good plumber is worth a million ‘day traders’ - he’s helping people unlike a ‘day trader’ who’s a gambling waste of space!” Keep up the good work 👍👍👍
Honestly your chats have changed my life Roger. I'm earning double what I did pre COVID. It's the whole self worth thing.
Great chat to listen to. Well done Roger. Sam get yourself, Jen and kids away for a break pal. Life's to short.
That was a really good chat that touched on many points all builders can relate to. I think for UK builders you have a lot of extra issues, horrible weather, strict regulations and laws and buildings that are a lot more complex than other countries. I've said this before when you had your chat with Robin about quoting, that the easiest way to remove much of the stress and actually increase your profits is to truely work for yourself and build and sell your own houses. Or renovate and flip, or rent and build a portfolio. With the tightening of lending, this maybe more difficult these days but its an ideal to aim for. Once I got my foot in the door and started buying and renovating my own houses pretty much all that stress fell away.
Been self employed for 42 years, hardly had any holidays in that time . Although paid my mortgage off by the time I was 40 . Now at the age of 63 started to feel my body has had enough of brick laying, plastering, plumbing , cut roofs , concreting and the rest . I have started to cut back now and only work on day rate now
Lad's your little chat just warmed the cockles of my heart but remember your health is everything.
Brilliant chat gentlemen! I am a full time teacher and am currently renovating a house at weekends. This weekend I am so tired I have not gone to the house, it can get so monotonous. It seems to be all work and no play. My wife has filled skips, cut wood, and helped me in so many ways, she is indispensable. Although I do not have diabetes I did have a heart attack last year. Try not to be so hard on yourself, make sure you have life insurance and take care of yourself above all else. Thank you for this.
FairPlay lads, I’ve been a self employed sparky for 5 years now and I’ve had difficult start but things are going really well now. A good nights sleep is a top tip 👍
And lots to drink😂
@Staff H true that brother 🍺
@TheShinnion I'm 3 pints deep already mate haha
Being self employed is a mixed blessing indeed but generally one tends to work harder and for longer. Having to be careful with diabetes adds another level of complexity. Sam, I hope your efforts are reflected in your charges as generally speaking most people would rather pay a little more for a job well done!
Quote them a little higher than you expect you can always reduce the price at the end. You know what you need to earn each day to lead a comfortable life. Thanks Roger nice to know that from the video and comments there are people out there with the same struggles.
Quote them higher and they may reply: “I’ll get the Eastern Europeans to do it. They quoted half your price!” I’ve had that actual conversation endless times.
Nice stuff. Videos like this will pass most folk by without leaving a mark but there'll be a couple of people who really, really needed to hear someone else chatting about that stuff.
What a wonderful conversation, I have been self employed all my life working on a small family farm. My father tried to stop me saying that I would never earn any money, how true he was but I have forged a living with my wonderful wife and have now diversified into accommodation and camping, a lot of work, great fun wonderful people that we meet each year.
Good addition to Skill Builder having that builder on the channel...
Thanks
This is possibly the best video of yours I've seen and I'm a big fan
As a professional maintenance engineer who worked alone for decades, and with minimal support, and where it was expected that multiple issues per day were quickly resolved within a time scale on the first visit, I understand sleeping on a problem completely. I hated wrapping calls into the next day but always resolved them after a good nights sleep.
I used to do a full days work, go home and then study and and learn the about the individual components of the equipment involved to discover what made them work and fail. I was successful but it all meant nothing.
There is so much I can relate to with video.
Thank you.
What an amazing video . I can relate to so much you both talked about there . Up until June 2021 I have worked for someone else and have been told a Couple of times I’ve made a lot of money over the years ….. unfortunately for other people .
I’m struggling with the pricing and organising and mistakes are costly .
I worked on my own for many years until 2016 when Alex left school and wanted to work with me .
That changed everything for me and truly blessed that I get to work with my son and best mate . We look out for each other and he more or less carries me now that my health isn’t good .
After a hard days graft you feel tired but content, after a hard day of stress you are burnt out …. Stress ain’t fun .
Sam get yourself off on holiday even a long weekend just to unwind you and the family deserve it .
Thanks again for the video 🙏🏽🤜🏽🤛🏽🧱👍🏽
I had the absolute pleasure of working with my dad and remember all the things he taught me, sometimes I use his old tools and get the sense his hand still guides mine
I've been a type 1 diabetic for 35 years. Also a self employed electrician for over 25 years. I totally understand this guy.
Type 1 here to brother.
Just watched this video and how crazy that I am a type 1 diabetic for 35 years as well and an Electrician by trade although I am in engineering now, brings its own stressses. Being a diabetic is a never ending daily battle, wears you out as well.
totally agree with everything said, well done guys 👍. I am a bricklayer and I used to love my job up until I HAD to do it. Once I had to do it to pay the bills I started to hate it. 37 years in feels too late to start anything else. Also you saying its less grief working for someone else, site work these days is run by a trade contractor under an umbrella to the main contractor, most of which have site managers that aren't trade related and higher ups who are only interested in bonuses, so us actual tradesmen(that want to do a good job) dont have the time needed.
8:15 this little comment is so true. To come away from a job that you’ve put so much effort into with the same, or less than minimum wage can be soul destroying. So many people just won’t realise that it can happen. And actually, working alone and not with any other trades on site I have no reference points about what I do, this was refreshing to know its not just me, SO many points in this video were completely relatable.
I don't think that the general public have any idea how hard it can be for an honest tradesperson to make a job pay. There are just too many variables.
That was a great video fellas, showing how working for yourself isn't the bed of roses that lots of people think it is.
Having run my own business for the last twenty years or so, I still have no problem with the actual work but the stress and mither is the killer. At home in the evenings the worry of tomorrow's problems or issues (thankfully rare) with an awkward customer are always on the back of my mind. Yet the thought that keeps me going is feed the family and pay those bills. BTW, what are those 'holiday' things you talked about?
Thank you both I'm not in the building trade but watching this makes me realise how much a lot of these things mirror my feelings. We need more of men being open in general
This video hit so many bells n whistles of being self employed! Loved this thanks guys. Personally for me I work in peoples houses as if it were my own, the client/customer 99% wouldn't have a clue but I would & to stop me waking up a 2am worrying about a damn job I always go full out as close to 100% as I possible can. I do a job to a point where I physically cannot even snag myself. easy lesson to learn when you are starting out so the ghosts of the past (jobs) never come back to haunt you....
Men need to talk like this more often. And yes I said men ! Top idea for a video Roger- thank you
I'm not a trade (although I seem to do more renovation than my job these days) but I am self employed and can relate to everything said here. It's hard to to get right and I'm far from it. Always fighting the pricing vs what is delivered battle and without a partner to encourage me to go on holiday I just keep working because of the if your not working your not earning mentality. I often think of jacking it in and working for someone else for the stress free life with all the perks of being an employee but that comes with it's own problems. It's honest open chats like this that we need from people in the same situation to put things into perspective.
wow thanks for that ,reminds me of the good days 3 blokes in a transit just chatting personal stuff , thanks also to your mate opening up about the problems with diabetes and the problems im type 2 and when your grafting it can cause problems , we all know the building is not pc bollox but its how we have always liked it probably last place we will find it didnt mind being called a daft cnut when i was young its what was known as character building , more chats like this please
I'm a 58 bricklayer , work 5 days a week and go to the gym 3 times a week . Dont smoke and drink very modestly.
My days of weekend work are over ,
I enjoy my graft and hard work was instilled into me from a very young age.
All the best lads.
I'm in a very similar position to Sam, diabetes in a physical job is a major stress because it's very hard to walk that tightrope when you don't know what's going to be expected of you every day, you can end up running high all day because you were expecting to be grafting or you can end up fading to jelly because you had to push harder than expected and didn't get time to eat properly, you end up putting yourself in dangerous positions because you know you need half an hour for that food to bring you back up but you've only got 10 minutes before you need to be somewhere else. It's a real grind that never ends and because you're used to suffering in silence you tend to apply this to your whole life, you're conditioned to endure.
I don't know what the answer is, I'm burning out and I don't know what to do to turn it around. I don't really have the money or desire for holidays and I can only realistically take time off in the winter, if work comes up in the winter I have to take it because I'm a single income household so it's all on me. This year in particular it's felt like I'm working more but I'm earning less somehow and I'm struggling.
I've recently become self employed and after 6 months just come back from a holiday, only thing was I was checking the plumbing at the resort 😅. I eventually managed to switch off but now I really am struggling to get motivated to get back into work.
The best advice I was given on deciding I'd go self employed was to never undervalue myself and my ability.
If you are a rescuer in life that can be difficult!
Excellent view on self employment.
Roger love this video think you need to do more like this. Just a casual chat with different people in the building game to tell their stories and opinions. Watching this was like having 10 o’clock tea break. I can definitely relate to all the points in the conversation.👍👍👍
Been there, done that, would never have lasted 40+ years of self employment without having a break. About 30 years ago I was burned out skint, and fed up, then a job went wrong big time because my brain was frazzled. I thought " fuck it I am not going broke while working my fingers to the bone", so I just doubled my prices pretty much. I didn't loose that much work and started making a decent wage and making ends meet. Loads of us underprice our work, or under value our skills, why?? Self employment is lonely, no one will tell you where you are going wrong, most of us are trades, not business people.
Exactly. Very well said: we're trades not business people. I have been a plaster and builder for over 10 years now and worked so hard that sometimes I get to the point where I just don't wanna wake up the next day. But the main problem is that I don't make enough money out of it. Customers are always happy and recommend me but I don't make a decent dollar out of it. All other guys seem to drive all those nice trucks and spend time eating lunch and I am the opposite. Fuck, need to really increase what I am charging cos it seems to me that people call me for a great value for money reason. I love the job I like working hard but I definitely struggle with the business/sale part of this. Cheers
Mate what you have said is so right
I've been self employed for 38 yrs
Got fuck all to show for it
But last 8 yrs worked for a decent contractor on ok money
But when it comes down to it
I've got by in life (just )
And I love the building trade
I'm a multi trader
Go for it, up your pricing. I got my wife’s family to get prices for renovations from multiple companies so I could have a starting point , kinda frown on but it’s business. Also get a good book keeper, they may have other contractors that they do the books for and may be able to give advise. There are also consultants to help grow your business.
I’ve also straight up asked other contractors in the lumber yard about pricing and most of them are happy to chat numbers. Best of luck ,
What an absolute pleasure to just sit and listen, you speak for every self employed person out there that is so critical of Their own work.
Really nice to hear how genuine you both are. I work in people's houses and I'm a sucker for an old dear. Some times i just haven't got the time with the calls booked. Thanks!
You guys are describing me 😅 my misses is constantly nagging me to charge more. Tbh, the customer always pays me more than what I asked for and tells me to charge more. I'm forever fixing 10 other things on the job. Thanks for your wisdom
F***! Sounds like me! 🤦
"we all know there's abrasive characters on the building site, I could be one" had me in stitches, the most pleasant man you could ever hope to find on a site
Treble your prices tomorrow less work less hassle but you will earn the same amount money, quality of life is so important. I just found this out after 30 years se, thank you for this great video.
One of your best videos Roger👍 I think it's the tip of the iceberg in our industry. I'm going through the whole burnout for the last year and slowly trying to work through it... so so much I could talk about on this subject...
Listen to Uncle Roger and get your holidays booked. It doesn't matter if its half way through a job, and remember to look after yourself. You're the most valuable tool in the van! None of the other can do fu*k all if you're not fit and healthy.
Roger I'd love to chat about the self employed industry in construction if you ever fancy?
Great these chats. I work alone as a Cabinet Maker and can relate to all in the discussion and proves we all share the same experences. Good point Rodger, the job itself is not the problem, its the money and everything else !
Great video - thanks. I'm not a builder but I've worked on my own most of my working life. I do suffer from anxiety but have had some talking therapies which has helped me keep things in perspective. Being your own boss, can't beat it!
I'm not a builder, I'm a self employed metalsmith but I can absolutely relate. Being self employed is hard, the fear of turning work away, the fear of no big contributed pension, that mortgage that never seems to go down...always giving the client the extra mile. Which I do, constantly over supply and under charge, especially with rising gold prices ..and then you get the "whilst I'm here could you just.." locking time for holidays is always a challenge but I can see the value in those. I'm so happy to have found this channel, it's also fantastic to see real men giving their wives the credit/respect they deserve. Can I get a Jen too?
Such a good conversation, as a business owner it felt very relatable. Thank you both!
Never mind the holidays! Start wearing knee pads, nothing more crippling than buggered knees. Two great builders thanks for opening up.
10:10 I’m glad there are people like you Roger who don’t walk away and do go above and beyond for customers
The love to help is rare, may be undervalued but certainly rewarding to your heart & God will always have your back. 😇
Hi guys. Great video. I was a self employed sparkie for over 40 years and loved it, but what folks dont realise is that when you work for yourself, much of the time you are on your own. Any issues on the job, or personal problems get magnified because you have no one else to talk to. Whereas on a site quite often the other trades will help put your head straight just by talking. Thats exactly what this video does. Helps sort your head out. Take care out there guys !!
What a brilliant, frank and relatable conversation.
“rescuer syndrome” was a highlight!
Thanks for this chat, i dont get to discuss these thoughts with anyone and people outside the industry don't understand the stresses and money issues when it seems like we earn so much but always struggling and stressed to get a perfect finish on every job. So good to hear others feeling the same, thanks
It is good to know that this is useful, the feeling of being isolated is common among the self employed. I often look at the mountain of work ahead of me and think 'There is only me doing this, when I stop the job stops and the end point moves further away. My approach was to work harder and longer but that just leads to more depression. We all need some help from time to time but finding someone who has the work ethic is not easy.
Can relate to some of this. I'm not self employed but I have been cursed with the 'people pleasing' gene, which means I will break my neck to make sure I help anyone who asks, whether that is extra hours at work or doing projects for friends and relatives, but at the sacrifice of spending any time on myself. I only seem to get motivated to do things for others, when it comes to me I can't do it as it just seems like a load of hassle. Also never been on a holiday!
Wow u sound like me but worse at least I go on holiday 😂 at least u get to heaven 😢
great video guys,such a true honest video i personally and sure most other self employed tradesmen can relate to this, gives a true insight into the reality of being a builder or tradesmen in uk currently and the highlights the many ever increasing problems we have to deal with on a daily basis , CUSTOMERS watching hopefully get a glimpse of the reality builders are facing and that the building /actual work part is the easy bit and how much unseen work goes on away from the site. total respect to both you guys , listen to the advice from skill builder who has been there and done it and walked the path you are on, family time and making memories with loved ones is far more important than anything else, time is more valuable than anything and you can never get it back once its gone, jobs and work are a necessity but easy to replace and irrelevant really in the scheme of things, nobody regrets and wishes they had spent more time at work when there time is up
Thank you Mark
Brilliant video, with 52 years in the game You two hit it right on the head
As I got older I realised more that we don't have much time on this earth and took on board the mottos "Work to Live" and "Retire as soon as you can". I then focused on the latter and retired at 61. If you absolutely love work so much that you would rather do that than have hobbies and be with family and friends, carry on working, but it wasn't for me. PS, holidays are essential!!!
CGP
I have seen many people retire early and die or go into decline. In the future retiring at 70 will be normal. I like work, it keeps you sharp. Once you surround yourself with retired people your point of reference is altered.
@@SkillBuilder fixed an air lock for a guy in his 80s ended up sat down looking at his photo albums for 2hrs ... called me back for a full bathroom 😊
@@SkillBuilderI can't see hardworking tradespeople going on until 70, either way there's a middle way - taking time to travel and having a change now and then as you said about your own holidays. I emigrated after seeing the corruption top to bottom in the UK - best thing I ever did, the UK (esp England) isn't a life, it's an existence.
A very enjoyable video, lads. Some important points raised here about looking after yourself. I can relate to what Sam said about blood sugar affecting work... sometimes my productivity plummets and I can take an hour to do something that would normally take me 5 minutes. I'm aware of it but just can't take a break to get back on track. Learning all the time.
Very interesting chat lads. I can relate to most of this but recently iv started taking time out to enjoy myself. Just mark random long weekends into the diary and stick to it. Life just feels like a drag if you have nothing to look forward to. Your Mrs sounds like a star. Get her away into the sun, life's short.
Hi all . Good stuff , nice to see you talk about the job and how it can become the be all and end all of your life . But the fact you both are committed to do the best work you can , immediately sets you apart from many others . Rodger is right to say you need a break , and usually people are prepared to wait when they know there going to get a good job at the end of it . Another point to remember is knowing when to say no , far better to be up front with people and say I’m sorry but I’m just too busy . And not tie your self in not’s trying to keep everybody happy . Best wishes and kind regards as always 😀👍👍👍
So true, your own values dictate what you charge. As I have got better with the building work I look after myself more. It`s bad if you make good money, with bad health trying to enjoy it. The people around you are vital if you want to enjoy the day at work.
Really enjoyed watching this guys- God bless you both!!
I'm now in a period of "why ewen bother, why ewen try😢"
Thank you for this video
One of the best videos you've done mate. Really honest and important for people to see. Well done 🙏
Sam and Rodger.
Really enjoyed your conversation.
Sam who need to you easy on yourself.
Diabetes and your family should be your number One priority. Because everyone looks after themselves.
I work in a dialysis unit and the affect badly mange diabetes has on someone kidneys can life-changing.
Give yourself some TLC for you and the family and take a holiday.
Thank you Andrew, when I met my wife twenty years ago she really helped me get my diabetes under control and since then I have had excellent control! however poor control before that has caused serious damage to my eye sight. Im a patient at moorfields eye hospital who I hold in the highest regard. Now I try to help young type ones understand how serious a condition it is, using my life as an example of what happens with poor control and how to turn it around. Kind regards Sam Ward.
So good to listen to this. I have been self employed plasterer/general builder for over a decade now. Previously worked for the companies. It's all true what you are saying. Good night sleep is my go to solution. I only see builders that i work with who get sll the same struggles as you mentione but at the same time value the freedom and flexibility that you get from being self-employed. Often at the cost of working longer hours, having less time off and money. I recently applied for some employment positions in the same business feeling bitnt out and an idiot working like a donkey and not getting the rewards all others seem to get. Fortunately the company haven't responded to my application because after all i didn't really want to be someone else's slave. I think the key points are to charge accordingly and make a living, get time off, try not to work weekends (i calculated thay for last ten years because of working weekends and long hourse i worked easily 2 years longer then someone working Monday to Friday over the same 10 years - i can clearly see the mileage on my body - not worth it), don't over book yourself.
Thanks for the great 👍 conversation!
It's very cool to see the tradies' perspective the increasing proportion of elderly population and customers. It's a global phenomena
Brilliant conversation guys..can relate to alot of what you talked about being self employed joiner/handyman..thank you
Brilliant video. I got burnt out as a superintendent so I decided to set up my own renovation company so I ended up burning out doing that, but at least the effort wasn’t in vein. At this point the company was quite established with a good reputation and was doing very well financially. So I took some time to restructure, I bought tools that made certain tasks easier(I previously always said that tools too expensive) I increased all my rates and pricing and I scheduled 2 to 3 weeks between jobs so I’ve got breathing room and can go on a holiday with the family. It’s still hard but I love it. Irish builder now located in Vancouver.cheers
Excellent chat gents.
I feel the younger chap hasn’t quite sussed it yet.
It normally clicks around that age.
Your health and mental well being are paramount. Be careful, it can all fall in around you if you’re not careful. I know this, unfortunately. Take the time off, do nothing, sometimes. Re-charge.
Charge more money to allow this to happen. People will pay for good work. It not a lifestyle, it’s ‘only’ work.
Remember what you’re doing it for. It’s to live, not to bust a gut.
Above all, don’t take the Mrs for granted. Things tend to change. Best of luck, you’ll be fine. 💪👍
Thank Gerry
I can emphasis with Sam and his health issues, as I've got problems myself that stops me from driving and as such has meant I lost my job as a carpenter. He's lucky to have Jen so take her away and just do your best mate. 👍👍
I'm sorry to hear this Kevin, and all the comments I read that you make on this channel, mine and many others, indicate that you have/had a great understanding and keenness for carpentry. Take care bud.
@@thetallcarpenter I really do Del and I feel I could have offered the industry a lot for at least 15 - 20 years more, but unfortunately without transport it became impossible to move tools around. I especially enjoy watching your channel as I think it is realistic to the fact you've a client to keep happy whilst trying to do the best job you can. I appreciate your comment and I'll keep watching you for as long as you keep the channel going.👏👏👏👏
@@amazing451 🙏😎
Fantastically relatable video, well done. Makes me feel like im not the only one.
Great discussion. Get that holiday booked!!
What a profound conversation. I really didn’t expect this. The honesty, insight and relatability from two normal blokes compared to all these stupid UA-cam influencers is incompatible. Well done gents.
If ever a true word was spoken well done chaps
I can so relate to this. I put such high expectations on myself, if the job goes absolutely perfectly and I get on with the clients, if the smallest of things go wrong, I feel like I've messed up big time and the whole job is a failure. I have low self esteem too, so this would explain it.
Brilliant video gents, kudos to Sam being self employed in this game and Type 1, my son was diagnosed a few years ago and the struggle is real. Take care guys 💪🏻👊🏻
Been self employed for about 14 years now , ive had enough and juat lookin to retire and throw the towel in and retire in my early 40s
Bloody hell, same age as me and I've barely go going yet never mind retire! no house, no car, no holidays! I'll be working at my own funeral at this rate.
The burnout got me a few years back when I realised I could never reach the carrot, the faster I ran, the faster the hamster wheel turned. Now I drift along, waiting for the inevitable.
My Dad is 79 and still in the building game. run his own business since 1987, he loves it! only finished doing house renovations and extentions 2 years ago! now just does small work. He loves comfortable and it keeps him active and sharp minded.
Your dad is a star mate,79 fair play I'm 55 and falling to bits
My great uncle worked up until he was ninety in the roofing game….Kept him fit and in the money..
Ive been a self employed builder for 41 years and served in the British Army for 8 years before that. For the last ten years I've only worked on a day rate, its better for the client and I invoice at the end of each month, i enjoy the worrk so much more as the financial pressure is just not there.
Wise words Roger and intelligent Sam asking and looking to learn extra tips - Healthy
Brilliant great to watch as a self employed carpenter and double glazing fitteri ii burned myself out had to take nearly two years off work the srres just built up that much couldn’t function but I recovered and just pick work now that just suits me and customer don’t make a furtune but enjoy going to work every day
Nice chat away from tools for a change, nice one fellas.
I went to a customer yesterday that made me lemon cake, that was nice.
Great video. Great to hear even the pros struggle with this stuff, the mental weight. Thank you
Brilliant video Roger, hopefully Sam comes back for another podcast. Echo the other comments here too and say take yourself and Jen on Holiday, no one looks back on life when they're old, grey and retired and wishes they'd worked more (generally at least), work to live, don't live to work 👌Gotta say your podcasts are a favorite of mine, they always touch on good topics and are quality. Best of luck Sam
That was brilliant! We could do with more videos like this. So many situations in there that I recognise and great to know that its the same for other people too. Thanks Roger.
Its great to hear you guys chatting about the stresses and strains of the building game, and 'a problem shared is a problem solved' as they say👍Thanks for the video 😎
I built an extension many years ago and a garage conversion on the back of it.I look at it all now and wonder where I got the motivation and effort from.Just me pretty well.I am knocking on now and agree motivation drops very low for the smallest of jobs.
Thanks guys, it's good to hear most of us have similar problems. I love what I do and like to think I'm good at it but the deadlines, keeping work coming in and general business management fry my brain. I'm sat here on a Sunday evening with very tight deadline looming trying to explain to my better half that I'm gonna have to pit some very long days in to meet the deadline (not entirely of my own making either). Then there's the chasing of late payments and bills to be paid. Can't quit though, I have worked for others & hated every minute.
Well done guys and i learned a lot from you Skill Builder and bricklaying steve with Alex, we wish you all the best with more happiness. keep it up.
We used to dream about holidays when I was younger, going from living room to upstairs bedroom was the closest thing to travel 😊 rodger always enjoy your vid . Feel for your mate with diabetes. Keep making the vids pal .
A good night sleep, best advice ever!
Enjoyed that guys , Roger bang on about taking time of for holidays
Can relate to all of this. I work by myself doing extensions! Can be really stressful one day and the next, the radio is on, the sun is shining and it’s the best job! Would like a clone of me to work with! Hard work finding descents people!
Hello from Norway! - Thanks for this, so mutch to recognice here.
Hi Dag
Where abouts are you in Norge, I have travelled all over your country and love it.
Really enjoyed this video, it brings to life the day to day challenges of your trade that I would normally look past.
Interesting to hear real life stories for a change.
Important topic. Holds true for all professions. Thanks