7/19/20 – Well, here we are in the middle of a global
pandemic. And no one ever told me ‘You need to build a business model that will
survive a recession depression, DIY culture, and this…’ Yet, 5 months into this
new reality, I’m grateful to be able to say we haven’t missed a beat. Honestly,
it was only the first week of the Shelter In Place order that we pulled back,
and almost immediately the need for essential/emergency work had us back on the
job.
Getting used to all the moving parts of this is quite
another story, though. Yes, we have and use the proper PPE when working inside
or in close proximity, and the crew and I take this seriously. But navigating
the unpredictability of our subcontractors, the Building Department, materials
vendors, and our clients is my new part-time job. The Building Departments
(City and County) are doing their best to re-tool the way they do things, but
for now it’s unpredictable, inconsistent, and sometimes frustrating. Materials
vendors and their supply chains are taking 2 months to provide an item that
used to take 2 weeks. Some have yet to re-open at all. Some subcontractors won’t
work indoors, some aren’t working. And each homeowner we work with has different
expectations – literally from zero PPE, distancing, or sanitary measures, to
postponing work indefinitely. Though I have to say, to my surprise, only one or two have wanted to wait. In truth,
we are busier than we were last year at this time.
Grateful to our clients that entrust their work and their
homes to us, to my crew that does what needs to be done (as safely as
possible), and to everyone else involved that I know are just trying to do the
best they can and navigate this uncharted territory with us.
PICTURED (L to R): Betto, Forest, Reese, (kneeling) Mark, and
Eduardo
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