construction/carpentry work in coastal Maine? (Portland, Lewiston: rent, health insurance, credit)

[irisheyesafire]

Please forgive us if this has been asked before, or a lot... we've searched the threads but are having trouble finding some info... we're struggling with getting enough carpentry work, even after relocation. Now, we're headed toward Maine, and if possible could any of you there share with us if there is construction - carpentry - work available, and perhaps where some good spots might be along the coast? We've been planning a move to Maine for over 2 years, and with everything going not-so-good holding out elsewhere, we've decided to head that way sooner than later and are needing a little help with job searching and direction if possible. Thank you whole heartedly for any good and helpful info. I realize something that might be said is for us to stay put and hold out, so without going into too much detail, let me just cover that by saying it can't get much worse and we've already been doing that, so we're rather be where we've dreamed of being for a long time now, and that's Maine. So, please, just helpful direction toward anything job related is what we're desperately needing, and again, many thanks.

[BoundtofindME]

Here's a link to a very good employer here in Maine. Cianbro Constructors

Right now, the Ellsworth area of Maine is going through a construction boom. There is a contact phone number in the link above. Good luck!

[RANGER.101ST]

if your comeing to maine looking for carpentry work good luck.your best bet is mass.

[irisheyesafire]

Thank you SO MUCH BoundtofindME! We will be investigating that straight away. : ) Any other tips, please send 'em our way, many many thanks! Happy New Year~

[Deborah Caldwell]

Please note that Cianbro is named after brothers (bro) and the Cian is pronounced "chin." Bridge Construction is a possibility, too, started by John Bridge who is now retired.
If you are strong and sober and don't pop prescription pills, you have a very good chance in Maine. The rents are high. The housing purchasing is strange. Try not to work under the table,which is very common practice here. You'll get more respect and more chances if you keep your head above water. But if you have been having a hard time, you will know how to save money, half of what you earn even if it is only a nickel and soon you will be just fine. The best banks are the local ones. They are strong and less vulnerable - Kennebec Savings Bank and Maine Bank and Trust. Good Luck.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by irisheyesafire

Please forgive us if this has been asked before, or a lot... we've searched the threads but are having trouble finding some info... we're struggling with getting enough carpentry work, even after relocation. Now, we're headed toward Maine, and if possible could any of you there share with us if there is construction - carpentry - work available, and perhaps where some good spots might be along the coast? We've been planning a move to Maine for over 2 years, and with everything going not-so-good holding out elsewhere, we've decided to head that way sooner than later and are needing a little help with job searching and direction if possible. Thank you whole heartedly for any good and helpful info. I realize something that might be said is for us to stay put and hold out, so without going into too much detail, let me just cover that by saying it can't get much worse and we've already been doing that, so we're rather be where we've dreamed of being for a long time now, and that's Maine. So, please, just helpful direction toward anything job related is what we're desperately needing, and again, many thanks.

I have some questions for you to answer, and then I will give you some advice that will be a sure shot to save you a LOT of pain and suffering in your search.

1. Where are you moving to Maine from?

2. How much do you know about Maine?

3. What kind of carpentry does your husband do, and how much experience does he have?

4. Do you have children?

5. Do you yourself have any experience or training either in nursing, care for the elderly, or any other technical or professional training. I am asking specifically whether or not you have either three to five years as a nurse, doctor, licensed practical nurse or perhaps nurse's aid?

6. Do you have close family in Maine?

[irisheyesafire]

Hello Acadianlion,

1 - We will currently be relocating from South Dakota.
2 - I've spent 6+ years pretty heavily researching Maine, and we spent a month there when we got married, in Bar Harbor.
3 - anything from rough to finish carpentry, 10+ years experience, and he built his own home.
4 - 3 children, ages 11, 13, and 15 (soon to be 14 and 16 the oldest), and I homeschool, so schools are not a factor.
5 - no, I'm not in medicine. I have plans to get a medical coding certificate starting the schooling for that in the upcoming fall, IF all goes well and I'm able, but no medical training. Otherwise 6 and 1/2 years of college but due to moving around a lot, thus wasted credit hours to slow me down, no degree yet... and as I'm a homeschool mom school's been on the back burner for a bit longer yet unless it is as stated above and I do online schooling.
6 - no, but I'm not concerned about that either.

Thank you for any helpful info.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by irisheyesafire

Hello Acadianlion,

1 - We will currently be relocating from South Dakota.
2 - I've spent 6+ years pretty heavily researching Maine, and we spent a month there when we got married, in Bar Harbor.
3 - anything from rough to finish carpentry, 10+ years experience, and he built his own home.
4 - 3 children, ages 11, 13, and 15 (soon to be 14 and 16 the oldest), and I homeschool, so schools are not a factor.
5 - no, I'm not in medicine. I have plans to get a medical coding certificate starting the schooling for that in the upcoming fall, IF all goes well and I'm able, but no medical training. Otherwise 6 and 1/2 years of college but due to moving around a lot, thus wasted credit hours to slow me down, no degree yet... and as I'm a homeschool mom school's been on the back burner for a bit longer yet unless it is as stated above and I do online schooling.
6 - no, but I'm not concerned about that either.

Thank you for any helpful info.

I wonder how you chose Maine? There are many people who write here fantasizing about moving to Maine. It seems to me that most are from the more populous areas of the country, so it is somewhat refreshing to read a post from someone who comes from a state not unlike Maine in terms of population density and overall economy.

There are many who write here who will be kind and welcoming to you in your attempts at moving to Maine. Should you chose to actually take the plunge, I will be among them. However prior to your actually starting to pack your bags, I am going to be this site's curmudgeon and give you my best advice, based on what you have said, so far: DON'T MOVE TO MAINE. (At least not now).

I am not being hostile. Maine and South Dakota have about the same average income level. Like South Dakota the largest population area is close to one city, Portland. The city of Portland itself is smaller in population than Rapid City, but the overall metropolitan Portland area is a bit larger. In total, the population of Maine is about 40% more than South Dakota, and the majority of it lives within 30 miles of the coast. And as you might suspect, the closer to the coast the higher the rent and property valuations are.

Maine has dedicated itself for several decades now to becoming more and more a tourist and service based economy. This means that people who live here live for the arrival of the visitor, and are paid small variations on the minimum wage. There are very few high paying or even well paying jobs in the state, which prompted my inquiry about whether or not you had specialized educational or technical training. There is quite a lot of work in the medical field and the field of elder care, which is a growing industry.

Maine has had a fairly well developed technical shool system, and as well as the state university system. The technical schools have been busy teaching basic kinds of skills, such as carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. There are a lot of "trained" carpenters around, and they either are already employed by someone, or are scratching out a living working for themselves for a wage, minus benefits, instead of working for someone else. It takes a while to become established in the manual trades, and there is plenty of competition. Right now, Maine is in the same recession as the rest of the country. Whenthe average income is in the mid to upper $20,000 range, how much wealth do you think there is to spread around to hire carpenters?

Maine's tourism industry was off quite severely last year. I have heard it said that in2008 it was off 25% over 2007. I have also heard that here in the city nearest to where I live (Ellsworth, near Bar Harbor, actually), the grocery stores were DOWN 25% in sales.

While it is good that your children are not little ones, you need to do a LOT of research about the cost of health insurance and medical services in Maine. You will find that health insurance is NOT readily available and it is expensive. By not "readily available", I mean that there are few insurance companies offering health insurance coverage in Maine, and coverage is therefore very expensive. It is not uncommon for a wife to work full time just to get health coverage because her family would be unable to afford it otherwise.

Maine is a state of small towns. Your largest cities are larger than most of the larger cities in Maine. Bangor is the second largest city in Maine, with about 35,000, followed by Lewiston. After that most cities in Maine are between 5 and 12,000 people, and there are many many more towns that have populations of less than 2000.

The reason I asked if you had any family in Maine was because if you did have family, they might be able to give you a place to live while you found your way around a bit, and perhaps located a combination of jobs and residence that could be made to work.

It seems to me that this is about the worst time for you to move to this state unless you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself for at least the first year or two with little income.

I moved to Maine more than 30 years ago. I moved to an area that I knew fairly well since I had come here with my family as a child every summer. In addition I had a place to live, although it was very basic, and I was single. Finally, I had some family in the general area. But what I found out was that despite both a bachelors and masters degree, I was either overqualified or underqualified for any job that was available. In the end I became self employed and remained that way through thick and thin ever since.

Can you move to Maine and survive? Sure. You CAN do it. But this is a lousy time, and in this state, you will have no easier time than you are having in South Dakota. You live now in a state with a small economy, and Maine has one that is really not much different in terms of dollars available "on the street". If you chose to press on with your plans, plan also to have a very hard time of it. Most people in Maine now are having hard times, too.

[dmyankee]

Anyone with a tool belt and chainsaw represent 80% of carpenters in Maine. They often arrive in an older F 150, have varying skills, and quote half the job up front with the balance due on completion. Beware of frequent breaks during hunting, fishing and snowmobile season. Their attitude is to do it their way, or no way. However, they can be the cheapest.

15% of Maine carpenters are well skilled and may have a newer truck with a nice painted sign along the side. They show up on time because they need the business. They will provide references when asked. Beware, that despite what you may want done, "If it was good enough for my father and his father, that's the way it will be done." They may want top dollar for work. Beware of frequent breaks during hunting, fishing and snowmobile season.

The remaining 5% of Maine carpenters have a legitimate business and a nice logo trailer they haul behind. They will provide references and receipts. Expect to wait a year or more for the start of a project. No worry of frequent breaks because they hire real help.

As far as moving in this economy, it's going to be tough sledding. A lot of major and minor construction projects have been put on hold indefinitely, statewide. Lion has it right about the amount of money to spread around. I, like many in my area have a retail business catering mostly to the out of staters. The outlook is bleak for the the time being. There are plans for hotel resort and almost a thousand house lots in limbo up here due to the radical environmentalism and the crappy economy ruining this state.

[Deborah Caldwell]

Try 'Intentional Communities' in Tennessee. It would be okay to move there at this time of year, even though they do have a cold winter. Nothing like the Dakotas or Maine, though, , and they have a big successful farming community there. I think they have a space. They have been a successful commune since the 70's. They have established businesses and they know how to help each other.