carpenter moving to Austin from New Jersey

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by BJB817

Coming from the north, you'll be appalled at what passes for quality workmanship here.

I've heard that from a custom home builder from NY whose son lives here. He's shocked at what is built in TX at any price point.

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by BJB817

Sorry I can't post a rosier picture, but it is what it is. Feel free to PM me if you like. All that said, this area desperately could use some carpenters that understand the lost arts of plumb, level and square.

They don't own a plumb, level or square. It is Mexican eyeballed! I joke not!

I do floors also, and talk about out of square!

I've had walls 3½" out, where they popped their line for the wall on the slab, with the X on the wrong side on one end. Talk about cheating some wood flooring to make it up! Thank goodness it was a bigger room!

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by BJB817

The low quality and often outright botched work turned out by illegals and accepted by the builders insures me a steady stream of work for years to come. Coming from the north, you'll be appalled at what passes for quality workmanship here. People are truly getting what they pay for. Ok, off the soapbox...

All that said, this area desperately could use some carpenters that understand the lost arts of plumb, level and square.

Very true - that is exactly what my son says, so he has a never-ending workload....and he is a native Austinite.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by cBach

ScoPro,

These are non standard cabinets, not off the shelf and the space is quite different. Believe me, standard cabinet makers won't go near it unless it can be derived from standard cabinet dimensions. You might want to ask him if he can do fully custom work.

Will do, but it may take a few days.

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by BentBow

The illegal alien trespassers don't own a plumb, level or square. It is Mexican eyeballed! I joke not!
I do floors also, and talk about out of square!

I've had walls 3½" out, where they popped their line for the wall on the slab, with the X on the wrong side on one end. Talk about cheating some wood flooring to make it up! Thank goodness it was a bigger room!

ScoPro wrote:

Very true - that is exactly what my son says, so he has a never-ending workload....and he is a native Austinite.

I'm constantly asked if I will be doing the work, or subcontracting it out to Mexicans. The price is where they balk. "It only cost me $$$ to have this done".... Why did you call me to see if I could fix it, ma'am?

They crap when it is going to cost 3 to 4 times what they originally paid, just to fix or redo it.

Moderator cut: orphaned

I have a lot of Cherokee and Comanche in me, with a dash of Seminole, but first and foremost, I'm an American!




Coming from the northern States to relocate here to do construction, is a very bad move, until we secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws that are set in stone today. I personally saw a big ramp up in "jobs Americans don't want to do", starting in 1987 after the last amnesty granted.

[Cjd350]

Hi there, I do have a green card so can work legally. I have been hearing that it's hard to get decent pay as a carpenter. Some people saying high end work is where the money is at and that is what I do at the moment I work for a custom home builder in north NJ. All trim and tile along with kitchens and stairs/banisters. Appreciate the honesty! Anyone who may have any contacts would be really appreciated may try make some contacts before we make the move! Thanks again people!

[G Grasshopper]

My brother in law does finish carpentry, and has been just scraping by for the last few years. He used to do just high end projects. Now he does whatever he can find. Its tough out there.

[Cjd350]

Hi there, thanks for your input. I think we are waiting for another year before the big move but it's where we want to be and think the struggle will be worth it. If you have any suggestions on what's the best way to get contacts and get started in Austin it would be really appreciated. Maybe you know some people who need a proper carpenter that knows how to read a level. Anyway thanks again.

[BentBow]

Interior designers!!! Picky and willing to pay for the custom stuff. My kind of client!

Smaller Custom Builders, not the fast pace builders.

We may be better in a few years, since the new Texas Legislature is coming into session.
We won't be fighting for work, with those willing to do jobs Americans love to do at poverty prices, sending the majority out of our nation.

[Cjd350]

Just wondering what the legislature is and what will come of it?