Aloha

HawaiiBuilder

Just decided to register and post after reading many insightful and entertaining discussions from the member community.

I just started contracting full time about two years ago after leaving secure union job with same company 20+ years. Always been my dream... and to be able to run jobs my way and treat employees the way I feel is right.

Lots of competition here in Hawaii bidding as a General. I started to do my own hanging, taping and finishing a couple of years ago... mostly out of frustration about quality and reliability from smaller drywall contractors on smaller projects. Additions, remodels and repairs. If the walls are nice...everything looks nice and vice versa and I'm very picky on walls. I've had a couple of proffesional finishers working on some projects but still...walls are not done to my liking, mainly level 5 finish and I always end up letting them go early and finishing it myself.

Seems that many tradesman, after years in the trade, somehow just go through the motions to the point where they can say they are done and it's true for all trades. As a carpenter, I've only known a few who actually care about their work and can produce that on schedule without any or much fix. I think it has a lot to do about who and where they have worked for in the past. There is less mentoring going on unless its to a family member.

I'm looking to start subcontracting residential drywall and commercial framing, drywall and acoustic work duing 2009. Picked up a Northstar set last year, Graco Mark V and will probably pick up the Graco 1500 for the next orange peel finish job and build on that as jobs and conditions progress.

Any constructive feedback is welcome.

Take care,

KLB

Al Taper

Hello ,, Man I wish i lived by you this time of year.

HawaiiBuilder

Thanks for replying Al Taper.

Weather is always good here, mostly take it for granted until traveling to the Mainland. Born and raised here.

Lived in Washington State for 3 years back in 1980-1983 at Ft. Lewis while in the service.

Aloha,

KLB