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My husband and I have lived in Ogden Utah our whole lives. We are both licensed professionals in our feilds and have years of experience. We have good work ethics, are good law abiding people with 2 fantastic grown sons. My husband has his General Contractors license, he has been licensed since 1997, but has been doing construction since he was 14 yrs. old. He's very good at his work. Never calls in sick, works overtime, and have good work ethics. He recently had to start working as an employee for a larger contractor as the larger companies have swallowed up all the larger projects and this leaves nothing for the little guys. He is a crew chief for this employer and can't even make 25K. I am a licensed Cosmetologist/Instructor and have been for 12+ years. Worked in salons, owned a home shop, and taught in a school for 4 years. Can't make any money here as the economy is so bad that noone can afford to get things done here. So they don't and the ones that do, want to go to the high end salons. Teaching is a joke, as they don't pay very well, no benefits for teachers, and the classrooms are huge. State law requires 20 students per instructor, but, most often I worked with 60 to 80 students and was their sole instructor. Also, worked overtime, usually 52-65 hours a week and didn't get paid overtime. They said it was comp time. To be used later for vacations and such. Which you could never do because there were no other instructors to take your place. Sound illegal, but, in Utah, this is reality. Finally quit and am currently working in a Insurance Agency doing CSR on Commercial accounts and direct billing etc.
Have been in customer service for 25+ years with lots of office/management/customer service experience.
Now, if we move to Nevada, these licenses will not apply. They will be void for the state. So we will have only our experience to rely on.
That being said, what are our chances of gaining successful employment that pays decent. We have been told that we should be able to double our income with no problem. But is this realistic? We are currently making between us less that $30K a year gross.
We have been told that my husband should be able to get his small business license, and with his experience get work doing finish work, upgrades and the like to new construction. And remodeling for old houses. Is this realistic?
I would be able to work in anything with customer service, office, middle management. Could we expect to see a better life income wise if we move.
This brings me to my original comment.
We have looked at both Las Vegas and Pahrump.
But, we don't know what is best.
We have been going to Las Vegas for the past 10 years about 2-3 times a year. And we have relatives that live there and keep telling us that we should have no problem finding employment with good pay and benefits. And that we should move there.
We have also researched to housing situation in both places. And have found that Pahrump has a better deal for the buck. You can get alot more for your money. But, is there a strong economy there? Are there jobs that we can realistically aquire in Pahrump vs. Vegas?
We are moving also because of the winters here, they are too cold for our taste and the effects that it is having on our health. The Wasatch Front, as they call the area we live in here, has recently been deemed one of the most polluted places in the country. Sometimes it gets so bad that you can't see the mountains at all. We also don't like the influence the church is having on politics and jobs. It's not just who you know here, but, where you worship. And if you aren't in the club, you are not going to get the jobs, raises, and promotions that you deserve and would receive in other places in this country based on your merit of work.
So I guess I just want to find out what we can expect realistically. Are we getting the wrong information? Or are we looking in the right direction?
Anyone, with any information on either place and all aspects are welcome.
We just want the truth. No sugar coating. Just facts.
Thanks to all in advance.
Bear in mind that comparing Pahrump to Las Vegas is like comparing Ogden to New York City- they're two totally different cities.
Pahrump is still essentially "small town USA", and your husband may find it difficult to find enough work to keep busy full time. Opportunities for you will also be more limited, as the population (and therefore need for cosmetology services) is much smaller. The pay scales will likely by lower as well.
Also, your husband will need more than a "small business license" to operate as a contractor in Nevada. He'll need to be licensed by the State Contractors Board, which entails a lengthy application, a test, and posting of a bond (the amount of which is determined by his license classification and limit).
Thanks Bob for your input.
We had a realtor tell us that my husband could get a small business license and not have to get his contractors license if he is just advertizing as a Handy Man doing finish work etc. So I guess from you comment, that is not true at all. Am I correct in this assumption?
Also, what about other construction opportunities for him. He doesn't mind working for other people, as long as he gets paid for what he does. But, he really wants to do finish work, cabinets (either custom or just installation), hardware, remodeling and the like. Does he have to have a contractors license for that? We see lots of people advertizing on Craigslist without licenses. How are they getting around it?
Also, what are my opportunities. I want to find something where I might be in middle management or even secratarial. My biggest thing is I want to make a little more money than I am here, but still want a traditional schedule. I don't mind working a little overtime, if I am getting paid for it. But, I prefer not to work on weekends, holidays or nights. What is my outlook realistically?
Thanks for all your comments and help in advance.
He can do "handyman" jobs as long as the price isn't over $500- that would put a real limit on the types/size of jobs he can do (which is the idea of the limit....). There's plenty of unlicensed, uninsured jackleg contractors in both Pahrump and Las Vegas- I was hoping he wanted to go legit instead of joining the ranks of those who end up cutting prices and working for $10/hour.
Even as a trim carpenter, he'd need a license- it would just be a specialty classification instead of a B-2 General Contractor classification.
I can't speak too much to the secretarial jobs specifically, but I'm sure you could find something. Salaries could range from $7-8/hour and up.
The reason my husband doesn't want to get too crazy with the whole contractor license thing is because of two reasons.
First of all his experience here has been really bad. The cost to have and maintain the license far outweighs what he can make. Unless you are well connected, and that requires being "in the club." He has worked hard and is a great builder. But, again he has had a bad experience with it here. And is afraid to invest money and time, only to find that the same situation exists in Nevada. He has worked hard and hasn't seen anything come from it. And again, there is the religious overtones here, (we live in Utah), most of the connected people in the industry are staunch members of the church, and they just don't want to help you in any business here once they find out you're not in the club. The state has also started to require more and more financially from the people who are liscensed, the system is turning more and more to a situation where only the most elite and connected with money can meet the requirements.
The second reason is that he fell 3 stories in '97 just after aquiring his license, and broke his back. He almost died, and was off work for a year. The injuries he received in the fall required 3 vertibrae being replaced and titanium plates and screws to hold his back together. As well as a crushed wrist and closed head injury. He's lucky to be alive, let alone walking and working. But, the framing is hurting his back. So he thinks he will do better to do more custom type things and finish work. Things that don't require so much climbing and lifting of heavy items. So it's not because he wants to be lazy or not be legal, he just doesn't want to start all over again, just to have the same results as before. It has been hard for him to get back into the industry and now that he has, again there just isn't any support for the little guy either from the industry community or the state.
I've lived in Utah and I understand your frustration. Lots of people there just don't have much disposable income because families are large and salaries are low. It's a beautiful place to live but a hard place to make a living!
Economically speaking, Las Vegas is probably a better choice. Lots of jobs there and the building never stops. It would take your husband a while to study and be licensed in Nevada. But there is demand for what he does! You are in demand too. There are always openings for cosmetologists. There are many salons and all the hotels have spas as well. If you want to make money, it's Vegas.
Pahrump is small town. Fewer people and a lot fewer jobs. There is a large retired population to compete with for every position. You won't make as much money there. The pace is much slower and the cost of housing is less.
Yee gads, we are leaving Pahrump, salaries here are horrible, crime is getting worse all the time, and mean spirited people are thick. We bought here in 93 thinking nice small town, full time rv'd for 15 years, and came back to settle on our land, extreme north end of valley. Beautiful rural location we love, but to go to town, yuk! You will have a better chance of finding work in Vegas, but homes are high, as they are here. Your hubby will find jobs either place, and you will do better in VEgas, low unemployment rate. The north end of Vegas has homes starting in the low $200K range, about as cheap as you'll find there.
Best of luck, if I can help let me know. aphouser
The north end of Vegas has homes starting in the low $200K range, about as cheap as you'll find there.
Those are in the ghetto area. In the north valley, homes start around $280,000 and up for something in a good area.
Alot of square feet will start at $300,000 or higher.
I currently work for Aveda Institute in Las Vegas and we are looking for instructors. Are you looking to move to las vegas? They pay way more than what you are making together now it looks like and I know that they are looking for a manicuring instructor right away. It is a great company to work for with benefits, 401K and the best people in the business to work with. This instructor position comes with your own class room and a gravy position; teaching only around 4-6 students at a time. If your serious about moving here, you should apply soon. This is the truth, no sugar coatings! As for your Husband, most contractors can always find a real good paying job out here for a casino/hotel company with excellent benefits.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andyssam
My husband and I have lived in Ogden Utah our whole lives. We are both licensed professionals in our feilds and have years of experience. We have good work ethics, are good law abiding people with 2 fantastic grown sons. My husband has his General Contractors license, he has been licensed since 1997, but has been doing construction since he was 14 yrs. old. He's very good at his work. Never calls in sick, works overtime, and have good work ethics. He recently had to start working as an employee for a larger contractor as the larger companies have swallowed up all the larger projects and this leaves nothing for the little guys. He is a crew chief for this employer and can't even make 25K. I am a licensed Cosmetologist/Instructor and have been for 12+ years. Worked in salons, owned a home shop, and taught in a school for 4 years. Can't make any money here as the economy is so bad that noone can afford to get things done here. So they don't and the ones that do, want to go to the high end salons. Teaching is a joke, as they don't pay very well, no benefits for teachers, and the classrooms are huge. State law requires 20 students per instructor, but, most often I worked with 60 to 80 students and was their sole instructor. Also, worked overtime, usually 52-65 hours a week and didn't get paid overtime. They said it was comp time. To be used later for vacations and such. Which you could never do because there were no other instructors to take your place. Sound illegal, but, in Utah, this is reality. Finally quit and am currently working in a Insurance Agency doing CSR on Commercial accounts and direct billing etc.
Have been in customer service for 25+ years with lots of office/management/customer service experience.
Now, if we move to Nevada, these licenses will not apply. They will be void for the state. So we will have only our experience to rely on.
That being said, what are our chances of gaining successful employment that pays decent. We have been told that we should be able to double our income with no problem. But is this realistic? We are currently making between us less that $30K a year gross.
We have been told that my husband should be able to get his small business license, and with his experience get work doing finish work, upgrades and the like to new construction. And remodeling for old houses. Is this realistic?
I would be able to work in anything with customer service, office, middle management. Could we expect to see a better life income wise if we move.
This brings me to my original comment.
We have looked at both Las Vegas and Pahrump.
But, we don't know what is best.
We have been going to Las Vegas for the past 10 years about 2-3 times a year. And we have relatives that live there and keep telling us that we should have no problem finding employment with good pay and benefits. And that we should move there.
We have also researched to housing situation in both places. And have found that Pahrump has a better deal for the buck. You can get alot more for your money. But, is there a strong economy there? Are there jobs that we can realistically aquire in Pahrump vs. Vegas?
We are moving also because of the winters here, they are too cold for our taste and the effects that it is having on our health. The Wasatch Front, as they call the area we live in here, has recently been deemed one of the most polluted places in the country. Sometimes it gets so bad that you can't see the mountains at all. We also don't like the influence the church is having on politics and jobs. It's not just who you know here, but, where you worship. And if you aren't in the club, you are not going to get the jobs, raises, and promotions that you deserve and would receive in other places in this country based on your merit of work.
So I guess I just want to find out what we can expect realistically. Are we getting the wrong information? Or are we looking in the right direction?
Anyone, with any information on either place and all aspects are welcome.
We just want the truth. No sugar coating. Just facts.
Thanks to all in advance.
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Are you looking to work in las vegas?
