I am a young Project Manager for an unlimited commercial GC. I picked up a hammer for the first time 6 years ago (no prior experience). I was raised believing if you work hard and apply yourself you will be successful. For 2 years I learned everything that I could in the construction industry. Took my work home with me and studied on my own time to better myself. For that I was promoted to foreman. I was brought into take over a small project at a 12 building 120 unit condo complex. It started small and the Board of Directors for the HOA told me they loved my professionalism, work ethic, and ability to complete projects on time, and under budget. We won a big contract because of that small project. That was3 years ago. I have since taken over the job of foreman, superintendent, & project manager. I do the billing, meetings with engineers and board members, scheduling, take off, material ordering, I even train the subs on application of new products because we didn’t have enough mid management. The project just passed $2.7M. We got a bid request for another $3M job in the same complex. All the while the board of directors telling me how appreciative they are and how they’ve gone through 5 different contractors in the years before committing to my company because of my management and quality of work. This boosted my confidence and I went to the owners asking for the raise they promised me 1 year ago for my production. They told me “the experience you’re gaining is far more valuable” I said you’re right. I put my resume on public, got contacted by a headhunter, just accepted an offer this week for $80k a year salary, full benefits, 28 days PTO including holidays, in the office now ( no more working from the field full in my own truck), Lap top, wifi in my truck for on the go billing when I visit the out of state projects, $80 per diem, 100% matching 401k for the first 3 years of my employment, quarterly bonus programs. The company I’m with now only pays me 40k and that’s it none of the above listed benefits. The final mail in the coffin was when the owners bragged about how much my project made in a company meeting and then denied me a Christmas bonus. I laid this offer on their desk Friday and watched their jaws hit the floor. I told the HoA board president of the project I’m running about my resignation when they couldn’t match my the offer. His eyes got big and requested a meeting with the owners and expressed serious concern about moving forward with the new project without my involvement. They don’t have anyone to replace me and I’m not gonna lie, it feels good to hurt their pockets when I gave them everything I had for 6 years and only asked for the median project manager salary. Fuck those greedy bastards.
Edit: a lot of people seem to think I’m lying or exaggerating so let me clarify a few things.
I began this company as a worker ended up dating one of the owners daughters and am now engaged to marry. I’m not exaggerating about my current pay it’s $21 hourly. I fee he uses the “family” excuse as a reason to keep me underpaid. Dude is a classic narcissist. I’ve taken This to his business partner and he said that my soon to be father in law has sole control over my pay. They gave me the position and responsibility of project manager without the pay, so after taxes it’s more like 33k a year. I stayed with them out of fear of the unknown. It was ultimately my fiancé who gave me the courage and confidence to leave. The new position I accepted is for assistant PM, not sole PM, it comes with a hefty pay increase and I am happy about that.
2nd Edit/Update:
I just went to my going away party, there was some animosity at first, but they took me out to a place called twin peaks and we had beers and food and heart to hearts and overall they were happy and excited for me!! The said in the moment they were in a panic when I gave them the offer from the other company. Honestly, I was a dick about it. I regret it now. In a mixture of feeling exploited/ under appreciated, I reacted out of emotion. My heart is so full. I know every single one of us is replaceable, but these men played a big part in making me who I am today as a professional.
I am so happy that things have gone the way they have. I’m glad my FIL’s business partner talked some sense into him and convinced him this was a good thing. They also want to take me out to a party with the rest of the employees’s not just the management, so I don’t know what to say my face hurts from smiling so much today!! LIFE IS GOOD!!