Construction industry in Mt.,Co or Wy

[mixedbag]

I'm a home improvement/remodeling contractor here in Pa.We are still hit hard with the recession but I've been able to stay busy.I'm thinking of relocating in the next few years to either Co,Wy, or Montana.My kids are getting closer to graduation.Just wanted to see what are some good areas to look at from a locals point of view.Looking at craigs list under help wanted it looked like Colorado Springs,Fort Collins and Bozeman have decent amounts of work;or at least jobs posted.Going off that, I assume if guys are hiring that theres a decent amount of work available
I saved quite a bit of money when times were real good so I have the ability to come out and advertise strong and wait out rough times.Well, as long as the stock market stops falling.
If there are any contractors on here, what are the downsides of your area?Would I be in competition with alot of illegals?How does the cost of living work out to average pay scales?I still have to look into whats required to be licensed.My work now is mostly finish basements(man caves)bathroom remodels,decks, and additions.But, we do just about anything concrete,roofing/siding,replacement windows ect..

 

[DavidKeenan]

Mixedbag
Not jumping in front of anyone, and I don.t know a lot in that line of work.about the west. I started out as a trucker for a good while. Things got real slow, here in the coal bus. I then went to equipment on pipeline,road work,etc. Then went into building construction. It was real good for a while. Of course you know about the the time it started going down hill. I had six employees, along with some different subs. On certain jobs or some I just wanted and got but didn't have the man power. Now i'm back to over the road trucking. I thought of moving out there too and starting into building/remodeling also but with a lot of family ties here its hard to leave.

My mom worked for a real estate in WY and now lives in Billings. If you don.t get any other bites here I could get you the names of some builders that may be able to help you. I'm sure any area you may go too you would want to be in a pretty populated area. What part of Pa are you in?

I do know the cost of living is up a little more, especially housing. Most houses are almost double what ours are. Compared to my local ones that is. Not sure on pay scale. I have heard them say that Co is more expensive to as far as housing , TAXES, etc.

 

[HUNTMAN]

Thats what i do and the last 4 years have been tough. Went from building 15-18 a years to 3 last year. Had lots of bids but little work.

 

[sweetnectar]

Wyoming tends to be booming due to oil, gas, and coal developments plus they don't have a state income tax. As long as the natural resource side of Wyoming stays strong and doesn't bust there should be some good money to make.
Bozeman MT has more contractors than demand.
I have a bother in law in Denver (he's a super for a very large construction company) that says when they bid jobs they have 60 plus plumbers to choose from, 100's of drywall subs, etc. that all want to participate in bidding or in other words that are looking for work. It sounds to me like that is not a place to make much of a buck when you have to compete with so many to get a job.

 

[jlmatthew]

According to our local news, the only construction going on in Colorado Springs is on Ft Carson. The base is growing and they've announced some major construction projects, but from my work on Peterson AFB, you had better be a minority or veteran to get in on the action.

Home constuction has finally slowed down the last couple of years (THANK GOD!), the region has been sprawling all over until recently. Now you can call the city "Forclosure Springs"

 

[mixedbag]

Thanks sweetnectar, that was kind of the insight I was looking for.I'll look into Wy. a little more.Its probably my most preferred state.Big problem for Co. to me is the no trapping laws,and I love trapping yotes
I'm not in the new construction side of the industry.I'm sure thats slow everywhere because the banks won't give anybody loans.You were all pretty helpful to me.To answer Daves question, I'm from the Poconos in Pa.I commute to the cities close by for all my work.I couldn't stand to live down there so I have no problem with an hour ride to work each way.Plus, I can charge the people from the cities alot more,and still get most of my bids.I love living in the mountains with the deer and bear as my close neighbors.Theres just something about the Rockies that keep calling out to me

 

[Rancho Loco]

Lot's of established contractors are hungry here.. The boom times are over for a while. If you think you're going to come to Montana and compete with them, you need to step back and re-examine.

Reality is, you'll come here and get a job as a carpenter if you can come to work on time and sober, and do a good job. You'll most likely start at around $16-18 an hour. if your wife needs work too, to make ends meet, research those wages, too. Montana is known as a low wage state, for good reason..

 

[Southwind]

I know a lot of folks in Wyoming in the construction business and believe you would be sadly disappointed. First off the population just doesn't support much in a good year let alone lean times. Wyo half million, Pa 12.7 million. The contractors I know are suffering so you are going to be competing with contractors just trying to stay a float. As someone else mentioned Colorado is worse just because of the scale of the industry being so much larger. More competition with a lot more contractors lean on work. Also, the cost of living is very high coupled with a shorter building season.

I have been in the construction business for thirty years and have never seen it this bad,,,ever!

Good luck, but think twice because that nest egg may not go far.

 

[Brandenbowhunter]

I just hired 3 guys to our crew...we have a lot right now...been lucky...seems to be picking up a bit. Not a landfall at all though.

 

[tarheel]

I looked around and talked to some people in Douglas, WY last fall and they felt that unemployment was pretty low due to the gas drilling going on but no growth to speak of, and driving through town there wasn't much construction apparent. If it's like every place else, the builders are falling back on remodeling work, changing direction, or doing without.

 

[cadman59501]

I seem to be extremely busy up her in NE MT but up here the work is all relative to the agriculture and some oil money moving this way. I could use another good hand in case anybody is looking.

 

[belly-deep]

NW MT is in the shitter, don't come here. Things were crazy during the boom a few years ago. Everybody wanted a second home in MT. It seemed like every male between the ages of 18 and 50 was working construction. Now most are unemployed. Not to mention quite a few contractors from the coast would bid for the bigger projects too.

 

[DreaminofMT6X6s]

Bozeman is sexy, let's face it, but if I were you I'd move to the area with the largest population in the state you desired. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how cool an area you live in if you can't pay the bills. Billings, MT, Denver, CO or Cheyenne, WY (for federal jobs/contracts) would be my recommendation. At least you'll live in a cool state and can easily get to some awesome recreation areas in a few hours. Just something to consider.

 

[THWAK1]

The Flathead Valley in Montana is growing out of control! I'd say even more so than Bozeman. Check it out also, but like Bozeman, the cost of living is much higher. Good luck.

 

[M. R. Byrd]

Business is very good in Dodge City, but living here is the pits. Unemployment 3 to 4 %. Decent amount of new construction being residential, commercial, farm buildings/barns, grain facilities. I am retired from the construction industry and as soon as I can get the house sold will be getting the heck out of Dodge.