Making the transition from contractor to employee

RyanCafferky

RyanCafferky

Been here a while
Location
Hood River, Oregon
I’m in the process of trying to decide whether to remain a contract climber or to try and transition to become an employee of a company or municipality. As I get older the appeal of things like workers comp, retirement benefits, paid vacation, and steady work are starting to look really attractive. I tried to become a tree service in my market but I don’t find that appealing for a lot of reasons so I recently sold my truck and chipper.

Has anyone else made this transition? Was it hard? What were some of the challenges for you?

What I see being challenging for me is the steady schedule and committment level that I would need to have versus the freedom that I currently enjoy. I also think that having to be more of an integral part of the team of a company might be a challenge to me though it also is appealing in a way. Also, just having to do the day to day monotonous work doesn’t appeal to me. I’m more of a wait for the big nasty days kind of guy.
 
Sell yourself in as many ways as possible; climber, instructor, consulting arborist, safety inspector.

Remember, you are only worth what your market can support. If that is 100k a year awesome, if it is 50k maybe stick with subbing.

Fight for the perks; paid time off, company truck, gas card, gear allowance, profit sharing.

Make them want you, be a invaluable part of the company, and prove it, time and time again.

I just did this myself and approached it like I was negotiating for a professional sports team. Never forget your personal worth. You are not looking for a job, they are looking for a lead climber.

Let the company make the first offer. It might be too low, but then again it might be more then you were going to ask for yourself.

Good luck man.

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Ryan, I am in a very similar situation to you. I am both contract climbing and running my own small business (truck and chipper). I don't want to go into debt for better trucks/buckets/etc. Debt makes me sick and really puts the pressure on. However, I think I'd find it hard going back to being an employee.

I think one of the most challenging aspects is to truly see yourself as a part of the team. To treat all equipment, customers, employees, and jobs as if it were your own business. I can see that being difficult but if done properly, you can boost the company like no other. I have noticed certain changes that I made going out on my own that I should have been doing all along at another company, but being overworked always made me feel like there was no real goal in sight.

I heard very good things about you from Chris Ward back in the day. So I'm sure whatever choices you make will suit your needs. I'd be extremely patient and look for a great company that wants everything that you bring to the table rather than a disposable commodity, accept offers and weigh your options slowly. I think patience is key.

Question: Workers comp is required for subcontractors in NY. Big fines if you sub out without WC. Do companies generally throw you on their policy when you are subbing?

Best of Luck Brother
 
Ask to do a trial week and not just a day when your shopping around. Some places will put you with their ace on some fun Work on your test day but next thing you know your shearing bushes on their D team. Try to let them let you work on different crews to get a feel for the guys/girls. Plan that with a few places and tell them you’ll get back to them. If your areas like mine there’s always another tree service to go to. If one sucks just leave on the spot. No use wasting your time trying to be nice in this industry.
 
This transition can be hard

Being self employed put you in charge of everything. Working for someone or muni changes that to a totally different environmment

It took me a long time to understand the power dynamics that I gave up. Will you be brought in as a skilled body or as a problem solver who can think onyour feet? Then, how will your new thinking be accepted? As a threat to the power structure? Will you be perceived as 'Mr Know Almost All'?

You can do all of the work from shrubs to technical removals. How will you fit in?

When you interview with companies look in the 'corner of the screen'. What do the vehicles look like in the employee parking lot compared to management? What books are on the shelves in the office and employee break rooms? Any certifications of the staff? Would you give All of the climbing and rigging gear a pass? Too much duct tape and wire repairs? Donthe seat belts work in all of the vehicles? Who has the longest tenure with the company? What's the average tenure of field and Managemt teams? Is there a revolving door on their employement office?
 
I agree with Tom, I started climbing in 1978 and then took a brief leave for the Navy, I was lucky to be home port San Diego, my home,, I climbed for every company I could here, did real good, it was a good life until I met my woman , oh yeah, then having three daughters, I climbed for 25 years and then joined a big company and went into management, more stress and long hours with massive responsibilities, but I feel good.
 
Pretty much ditto that. It's a way of life. And a pretty tough one to reproduce at that.

But....that's what I value in life....others are different. The one thing I would suggest is that it would be worth it to invest a fair bit into finding out the 'bad' that goes with the 'good' for where you believe you are headed. Like if I were wanting to go into municipal arb work I would search out people in it, take them out for a meal and find out as much as possible.

Also.....maybe list out all the things you want in a career from here on out. Then with that clarity you might easily see where you can get that or others here may have ideas. Whereas just going to city, county, or working for others, I could see a list as long as my arm of negatives for me - half of which only truly manifest after one is there for a time.
 
I have no experience in your industry but the older I get, the more important the insurance and benefits become. To be honest, the cost of insurance and such keep me from starting my own business. You have the skills and could always work part-time on your own.

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