I've been with my current employer for 5 years. Incredibly small, when I came onboard in 2018 there were only 3 guys doing work and 1 estimating. By 2020 we were 5 installers strong with 2 estimators. Now, in 2023 I am the only fully qualified installer, with 1 behind me, and 2 newbies, 3 estimators, the owner, and his best friend who is the “VP of operations”. I've gone from and installer, to lead installer, to project manager in that time.
My problem is how distasteful it has been to work for the owner. His treatment of us has been really back and forth. This is a list of the things he's said to me:
-“Maybe you're not cut out for this kind work.”
-“We put you in this position because we thought you could handle it.”
-“It's like your heart just isn't in it.”
-“I can't have you here at the office, you need to be in the field.”
-“You need to complete jobs faster. Sometimes you just have to work a longer day instead of leaving at 2 and going back another day.”
There are others but those of you reading get the gist. I lost my best installer around this time this year, then another in February, another in March, and my last senior installer in April.
In 2022 I was coordinating the installs of 3 sides of the business, floor coating, closet storage (brand new line – no instruction prior to), and our garage storage line. And doing the installs of both closet and garage storage. All for a paultry $25 an hour. 50-55 hour work weeks.
By 2023, I lost my best guys, my insurance lapsed due to non-payment, my Aflac insurance lapsed. My boss hounds me to get more work, get more work done, more. I have 1 guy with me and he's so inept. Been with me 4 months and continues to fail to follow directions. I'm doing it all, so burned out and stressed; I just want to quit and take a month off.
I desperately want to make my own way making fine cabinetry, but I'm not sure I'm ready.
I want to know what the community here has to say.