Sorry if this subject is a re-hash.
Are you timber framers busy?
I'm about to give up and throw it all in.

Things are tough up here in Canada. I am new to the Trade and doing things to learn. But I will not open up my shop until things get better. It is hard for people in the construction and forest industry here in British Columbia. I would suggest to keep your essential tools and work at something else. Until things get better then go for your passion again.
Good luck!!!!!!!
Eric

I am still working. 3 months from now may be another story. What would one do in lieu of timber framing. Speculation? Cut a frame and sell at a discount? Would you lower your rates to keep busy? Catch up on work at home, doesn't pay the bills. Don't give up, keep at it, what ever else you do could bottom out as well.

Tim

Busy enough. Design work keeps trickling in, and in addition to TF design / consulting I'm seeing a spurt of traditional building going on - primarily remodels. I'm tied into several builders and so far I've been kept busy.

We're busy -- sort of. We have work to do, but we are a smaller and leaner company than we've been in several years. We had a couple of people leave to pursue other opportunities and we haven't replaced them. Probably won't for the time being.

I am hopeful that we'll keep stringing jobs together -- it looks like we're set until late summer, but if things get worse....

There is still work to do here in Central Ontario, some new framing and a handfull of barns to repair. The TF classes I've been teaching seem to be better with the recession, with more students on the list than normal.
The business environment is a bit scarey though, with all clients having something to say about the financial times we are in.

Anyway, east coast guy here looking for immediate work. Will travel.
Do have shop (maybe not for long). Two excellent employees laid off.
pm, if anything pops into mind.
thanks.

Ha!
And I forgot how important sealing the deal was, letting a few slide while keeping all my eggs in one basket for three years.
Tell him time and materials with an in the ball park figure?...and just start. If he trusts you, you're in.

Derek, it sounds like you might be stretched a bit thin. It's good to see another TF'er being so accommodating. Will you squeeze that all in by June? I won't wish you good luck, but I do wish you well.

Tim

I find the money one of the most dificult aspects of business. A necessary evil. There are some movement out there designing a non-monetary system, a utopian island.

Tim