How's Business?

[HBCraig]

I have no availability to sell cranes. If I had 6 ro 10 cranes I could sell them
Crazy. Big stuff too.

 

[angiebaby]

Our county is dying. Several smaller businesses will go under after Christmas. Many hoped for a boost with Christmas sales, but it isn't happening. Lots of businesses for sale. Nobody is hiring. Hard to watch as I love where I live,,,,

It's so sad. I love that area also. It should be doing great being the gateway to the parks. But you can't have a tourist town and attract people to stay and play when you have vagrants and mentally ill all over the streets in your downtown hotel area. It was zombie land when we went to Eureka about 5 years ago. People were shuffling down the middle of the road, screaming at air. Some were getting in fights on the sidewalk. The Best Western that we stayed at had a limousine on site to take patrons the 4 blocks to downtown so they wouldn't have to deal with the homeless. We picked the hotel because it was within walking distance of restaurants and shops, so I thought the limo was just a fun perk until I got there and understood why. Many of the shops and restaurants were closed already, and it was pretty sad and obvious where it was headed. Whatever bleeding heart liberals decided to have the homeless mission in the middle of the downtown area really screwed up. I vowed never to go back. I figure if I ever go back to the parks, we will try to stay in Crescent City and see if it's any better.

 

[dread Pirate]

It's so sad. I love that area also. It should be doing great being the gateway to the parks. But you can't have a tourist town and attract people to stay and play when you have vagrants and mentally ill all over the streets in your downtown hotel area. It was zombie land when we went to Eureka about 5 years ago. People were shuffling down the middle of the road, screaming at air. Some were getting in fights on the sidewalk. The Best Western that we stayed at had a limousine on site to take patrons the 4 blocks to downtown so they wouldn't have to deal with the homeless. We picked the hotel because it was within walking distance of restaurants and shops, so I thought the limo was just a fun perk until I got there and understood why. Many of the shops and restaurants were closed already, and it was pretty sad and obvious where it was headed. Whatever bleeding heart liberals decided to have the homeless mission in the middle of the downtown area really screwed up. I vowed never to go back. I figure if I ever go back to the parks, we will try to stay in Crescent City and see if it's any better.

Honestly your best bet is a vrbo or an rv and stay in the parks. Crescent City isn't any better but the area is beautiful and the Smith River really has to be seen. Best fish n chips I've ever had is in Crescent City. Gonna make a Home Depot run up there mostly for the food next week

 

[TPC]

Local Italian Deli had lines out the door from 10:30 AM to 3 PM, M-SAT.
No longer.
He said his business is really hurting.

 

[regor]

Behind a paywall but I have read other places about jobs numbers not being reported accurately
Things like tax revenue to the government down even as the number of people employed are supposed to be going up

Wasn’t behind the paywall initially and I won’t pay for it either.

 

[TimeBandit]

Local Italian Deli had lines out the door from 10:30 AM to 3 PM, M-SAT.
No longer.
He said his business is really hurting.

Which one?

 

[DMF]

Local Italian Deli had lines out the door from 10:30 AM to 3 PM, M-SAT.
No longer.
He said his business is really hurting.

There is one in Redlands called Saverinos. They have zero signs of slowing down. These guys are always slammed busy.

 

[shintoooo]

Quarterly update. How is business going so far this year? Goes without saying, I am slammed right now but only 5 days left. I've been doing 80 hour weeks since mid February 9am to 9-10pm mon-Friday and 15-20 hours on weekends. I need to hire one more person. My clients are mostly doing well still but some have definitely slowed down. The big construction companies are booked for the year and my real estate clients are doing well out of state.

How are you guys doing?

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Shift from Resi to Commercial is very evident in my sector... last month was my worst month in years. This month is shaping up to be "normal" just different product lines. Essentially all commercial inverters, and such...I have exactly 1 residential project order in my inbox...the rest are ALL commercial. The interest rate's and loan fees in residential solar have finally reached the tip point I think where people just say no. With the incentives for commercial, non-profits, etc it is penciling well for that side. Hoping back more stable by June. We told customers to expect a rocky road on sales through Q3.

Oddball components like monitoring dongles etc for certain inverters are back not available so that tells me there is some manufacturing bottlenecks still left over.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’m on the commercial construction side of things and 2023 was my biggest year yet. 2024 is shaping up to way outperform 2023 based on the opportunities I’m working on now.

I’m still uneasy what it looks like 18 months from now but the next twelve look good.

 

[JFMFG]

Slamming up 25 percent so far this year.

 

[regor]

Are these recent upticks government funded in any way?

 

[shintoooo]

Are these recent upticks government funded in any way?

In my case, I'm trying to keep money away from the government lol.

 

[Done-it-again]

In the material handling business bidding work like crazy, and signed a mil $ project the other day with a few more bids close to a mil..

Will see how it pans out, but nothing is for sure without a PO in hand..

 

[Cobalt232]

Up 7.5% in Q1. 2023 was +4%, but should have been +- 10% but had to close to new clients in June and July due to not having enough employees.

 

[lbhsbz]

Had a record month last month. I've mostly killed off one product line to make time for others, but haven't had the time to update/add products or work on cataloging in about 8 months. Still more business than I know what to do with.

 

[evantwheeler]

Are these recent upticks government funded in any way?

Municipal upgrades, maintenance, and expansion is what keeps us alive. I think there is some EPA forced work that we benefit from, but not exactly sure if the money actually comes from the FED.gov or if its just local municipalities being forced to spend money to satisfy FED mandates. We don't do any residential, commercial or private work, so we are insulated from the roller coaster ride that is residential / commercial development and construction.

The company has been busy since the 80's.....there have been ebbs and flows, but from my understanding, it's never been like the spigot was just shut off like some experienced with the tech bubble in the 2000's or the RE bubble in 2010's.

 

[regor]

In my case, I'm trying to keep money away from the government lol.

Not you, I know your job!! talking to the construction guys and homeboy up 25%.

 

[mobldj]

people still get married no matter how the economy is. im not the cheapest nor the most expensive.2 weddings in april,5 in may and 4 in june.cant complain !

 

[JFMFG]

Are these recent upticks government funded in any way?

I am in the golf course furnishing business. All the out door furniture, plastic, stakes, signs, flags you name it. If it’s on the course we make it. Golf has been booming since Covid. I added 4 new inside sales people last year so that’s part of the uptick but I am very pleased. A lot of my courses are private. But we do deal with some city courses as well.

 

[EmpirE231]

Revenues are up, and paying more in taxes.... but do not seem to have more buying power. #thanksinflation #dollaraintworthshit

 

[Mandelon]

Super busy. Getting busier. Hired several new guys recently. Trying to keep up. Turning down projects regularly. Raising prices.

 

[BHC Vic]

I’m way busier than I need to be. Honestly at this point I hope it lasts because I’m trying to retire early. Like 45 and find something else to do with my time. I don’t mean not work anymore I just mean shift gears

 

[JFMFG]

Being busy is never a bad thing. I’d rather be busy than slow. So anyone who is to busy send everyone my way. Money doesn’t sleep

 

[Riverhound 2.0]

2023 was a record year, and 2024 is on pace to match or beat it... North American auto manufacturers are scrambling to get good products to commerce.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Ive heard the multi family real estate market in Prescott Valley, AZ is on fire!









Too soon?

 

[JLG614]

One thing to consider on this. how is everyone doing gross profit vs net? Everything costs more these days so everyone is raising prices which is making their total revenue higher. Is that transferring over to increased net profit?

 

[angiebaby]

In my case, I'm trying to keep money away from the government lol.

We appreciate the work you do

 

[BHC Vic]

We appreciate the work you do

Yes we do especially when we drag our feet causing the 80 hour work weeks

 

[attitude]

One thing to consider on this. how is everyone doing gross profit vs net? Everything costs more these days so everyone is raising prices which is making their total revenue higher. Is that transferring over to increased net profit?

That’s the question that needs to be asked. Net profit is becoming an issue for the company I work for even though we are busier than ever.

 

[Bpracing1127]

Large defense contractor. We are doubling down on remote employees as it’s working very well. Sold off 3 buildings. Bought several companies last year. Cash, revenue, profits are all exceed goals. We are killing it. Our funding comes from taxpayers.

I spend your money very well….

 

[Todd Mohr]

Large defense contractor. We are doubling down on remote employees as it’s working very well. Sold off 3 buildings. Bought several companies last year. Cash, revenue, profits are all exceed goals. We are killing it. Our funding comes from taxpayers.

I spend your money very well….

Passing cars ain't cheap

 

[shintoooo]

Yes we do especially when we drag our feet causing the 80 hour work weeks

I just finished yours. Check your email.

 

[Done-it-again]

Quarterly update. How is business going so far this year? Goes without saying, I am slammed right now but only 5 days left. I've been doing 80 hour weeks since mid February 9am to 9-10pm mon-Friday and 15-20 hours on weekends. I need to hire one more person. My clients are mostly doing well still but some have definitely slowed down. The big construction companies are booked for the year and my real estate clients are doing well out of state.

How are you guys doing?

I'm holding out with a extension..... Need that R&D bill past.... ha ha ha..

 

[702sandman]

23’ was great had to hire 10+ new guys to keep up with new contracts. 24’ has been exactly the same, net profits are up year over year. I’m in the HVAC trade and do primarily 2-30 million dollar custom homes and they do not seem to be slowing down. I’m still passing up on new contracts due to man power.

 

[Bajap1]

I'm a residential GC in san diego we do kitchens, concrete, landscape, patio covers and palapas, 2024 has been weird...phone wasn't ringing about a month ago, now I have more than I can do....where is all the skilled labor though??

 

[DMF]

I'm a residential GC in san diego we do kitchens, concrete, landscape, patio covers and palapas, 2024 has been weird...phone wasn't ringing about a month ago, now I have more than I can do....where is all the skilled labor though??

We are aging out!

 

[arch stanton]

I do local dump truck and equipment moving in San Diego the rain has really caused us to lose work,last year was the same thing down 50 % gross for first quarter this year is about the same
As soon as it dries out we are busy

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

One thing to consider on this. how is everyone doing gross profit vs net? Everything costs more these days so everyone is raising prices which is making their total revenue higher. Is that transferring over to increased net profit?

Nailed it.

 

[RIVERBORN]

Sooo.. not being facetious… but how many are actual owners of “how’s business going”
Not, I work for, or “we” etc..etc,..

 

[FCT]

Just had three record months in a row, gross and net. I sure as hell Hope it stays that way.

 

[702sandman]

Sooo.. not being facetious… but how many are actual owners of “how’s business going”
Not, I work for, or “we” etc..etc,..

Im the owner of my company so I’m giving real world knowledge of what I’m seeing. Here in vegas we haven’t slowed down. I was also in St. George Utah a couple weeks ago and construction there looks like it’s doing great as well.

 

[702sandman]

I can honestly say that I was so far far behind the 8 ball on my pricing after covid, it took over a year for me to correct my pricing and start making good money again. My son in law came aboard and I let him bid some of the jobs and he opened my eyes to where my pricing was Versus our costs and I was shocked on how much prices went up and I didn’t realize it. For the last year and half I’ve been on top of any increase and kept the good times rolling lol.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Shits expensive on the farming/consumer side as far as stuff we have to purchase to keep operations moving along to have production or at least have a shot to harvest it.

Everything from parts for machines which in this world dealers have the market for quality…but getting so out of hand it’s hard not to Amazon 2 of the same part you need for half the cost of 1 and hope for the best. Same with the irrigation side. It’s forcing us to find the same stuff that’s being sold for much less of a markup online somewhere (like 100% less).

End of the day everything costs more material wise now days. ALOT more which is what it is but nobody’s taking the hit on it and the cost is being passed on to the guys buying it (they have to). While the price they sell crops has been going down year after year.

Within the next couple years the CA farming is going to obsolete with these conditions. It will be very interesting how it pans out politically as there isn’t much else to do in the Central Valley with the economic prices it’s been brought up to.

 

[kevin1988]

$20 minimum wage is really a pain in the ass when these people generally don't bring any type of skill. Positive is I'm getting more applicants now than I have in the last 12 years I've ran restaurants. Negative is I have to staff less hours to try to still make money without raising prices.

 

[jet496]

We're busy but it's almost impossible to find competent help. Most people are fine just half-assing it. That's the new America for you. I have a feeling we're in trouble with this lazy workforce. Other countries blow us away with integrity, honor & pride in the workforce. I've never seen such a lazy, incompetent, unhealthy (sloppy fat), lot in all areas (healthcare, trades, restaurants, everywhere) as I've seen the past couple years.

 

[NicPaus]

This is my 18th year owning my own business. Lots of work here in the Southbay. Costs have gone way up. I definitely need to start raising prices from the bids I have been seeing.

I do a lot of bathroom remodels. I could easily have 14 going currently if I could find more good subs. Have a friend that has been getting bids. I told him if he could wait a month I could help him out. He is ready now. His bids for his 2 bathrooms are in the $50-60K range for each. Bathrooms I use to bid for $24K. Been debating bidding a few in the $35K range to cover my insurance increases and see if I get them. These are basic 5x10 and 5x12 bathrooms. Seems like not long ago I was doing them for $8-12K.

 

[Kenboat]

Part of a large electrical contracting firm in the mid west. We do industrial, commercial, and low voltage systems. 2023 was a record year for revenue and profits and 2024 is even better. All of the talk of slowing due to higher interest rates has not hit us at all. If we could hire 400 more electricians we have work for them!
Not many of these project have free Biden money but funded by private industry.

 

[boatpi]

We are up close to double our 2024 forecast.

 

[NicPaus]

I just had a inspection. Inspector said they are really busy with jobs. He has 18 stops today. My ground up job. Just passed plumbing rough and poured the garage slab today. Framing crew on Monday