Hmmm.... tough call.

[Chefasaurus]

I've been propositioned by one of my clients to take on a HUGE project.


Sixty semi's, sixty 53' aluminum trailers, and several more pickups, and various owners' cars, and 3 boats (19', 26', and 33').


From a financial standpoint, it's HUGE money. The semi's pay out between 400-800 each, the trailers pay between 500-800 each, the pickups pay around 250-300 each, and the boats are 20/foot. I'd be starting the week after July 4th.



However... and bear in mind, this is just something I'm brewing in my head... I like having my freedom. If I took on that contract, I'd be an employee of their company. Not that this is necessarily a big deal. However, with 6-day weeks, I wouldn't have any free time to do the "fun" work; the likes of the cars on here.



I'm gonna toss it around for a few days before I say yes or no, but if all that *does* go through, I'd be out of my financial hole, and in position to either look at houses, or maybe re-locate back to a big city and get back into the restaurant industry.



Thoughts?

[prostcj]

How long would this take? It looks like as much as 80K. Seems like a no brainer if money is tight.

[Broadfield]

You would be stupid to not go for it. Hell, I have worked 6-day weeks, even a lot of 7-day weeks for the last 16 years of my life. I have even worked some 120+ hour weeks. I don't regret any of it. However, I LOVE my job and it is very flexible. I am also not a big vacationer..... just some car events here and there...... so I don't really need to take much time off anyway. Also, since I have been doing it for so long, a 6-day work week is standard to me.

The money will be great!

[Chefasaurus]

Exactly, financially, it's a no-brainer.


But the only drawback I saw, was that I wouldn't be working for myself anymore. I've grown to love being able to work on my own schedule.




But for that kind of money, it seems like it's worth losing almost all semblance of that.


Time-frame would be full-time. It'd be a long-term position. As the trucks come in, they need to get cleaned up, and back on the road.

[NOPIS10]

Don't forget to negotiate. You have the power to set some of your own terms which could help you get over the whole not working for yourself thing. Even just a small thing like a small advertisement on the trucks for vanity detailing.

[Chefasaurus]

Don't forget to negotiate. You have the power to set some of your own terms which could help you get over the whole not working for yourself thing. Even just a small thing like a small advertisement on the trucks for vanity detailing.

Not a bad idea. Will probably use that for a bargaining chip.

[Hornswoggler]

or if you could get it to a 5-day work week, sounds like a great opportunity!

Why would you become an employee and not a contractor?

[Chefasaurus]

or if you could get it to a 5-day work week, sounds like a great opportunity!

Why would you become an employee and not a contractor?

It's not out of realm of possibility, but I'd have to get a $10M insurance policy.

[psssst...passedyou]

It's not out of realm of possibility, but I'd have to get a $10M insurance policy.
10million general liabilty or errors & omissions? If it is only Gen liability u can get that,stay working as a indepedent contractor and still set your own hours and own your own business.

[TenDown]

Don't be foolish here. The rewards of taking this career move out wieghs you detailing woo rides rollin dubs and petitioning people on this board with money off discounts. Not what you are doing is wrong just as profitable in the long run as this could be. I know I come off as an asshole here but I'm just trying to be blunt. You need money like all of us do and how long can a deal like this wait around for you? If you sold the product and they want you I say do it. Go buy a gtr and call it a day LOL. Best luck!

[AMaench]

Don't be foolish here. The rewards of taking this career move out wieghs you detailing woo rides rollin dubs and petitioning people on this board with money off discounts. Not what you are doing is wrong just as profitable in the long run as this could be. I know I come off as an asshole here but I'm just trying to be blunt. You need money like all of us do and how long can a deal like this wait around for you? If you sold the product and they want you I say do it. Go buy a gtr and call it a day LOL. Best luck!


Exactly, take this. As Broadfield said you would be dumb not to. To bad you couldn't be a contractor then you could use them as a reference and example of your work instead of just being an employee and hoping they throw some credit your way.

Nothing wrong with building a little bit of a nestegg of money for rainy days and to cover slow times.

[psssst...passedyou]

You could just buy a 60" DA and be done faster.....hahaha

I have worked as many as 80ish hours regularly, currently am at around 55, it is not too bad. 6 days a week is cake after a while.


Take the F'n job....right after you detail my car. :D

[blacktavert]

I would take it. Working long days and hours sucks, I did that at my last job. Averaging 60-70 hours a week. In this economy right now, I would take the work.
what time would you be working on these trucks? I worked for a trucking company right out of college, and these trucks are usually gone all day and only parked on the lot at night or weekends only.

[marty]

it's a tough call only if you're a masochist... oh wait, you work in the restaurant industry :P

do this job until you've made some decent bank and are sick of it. then go do something else!

[haunter]

what he said.

[BWG]

take it you'd be stupid not to

[haunter]

I know this is like, a hobby for you and want the kitchen to be the career

but how sad would you be if say, you made this career and had cooking as a hobby for most of your life.

something to think about/sleep on.

[scrapin_frame]

[Cliffs notes] DO IT! [/Cliffs notes]

You seem to be doing well with the detailing, so I would go with it instead of the chef thing. Maybe it is time to do something instead of the pipedream goals. I dont see why you couldnt work as a subcontractor, unless they are insisting that you be their employee. I dont see why you would need such high insurance as a truck is not worth $10 mill. Surely damage to one truck is not gonna be more than a couple grand. We operate a construction company with $2 million insurance policy and we can fuck up alot more in construction than you can detailing a truck.

You should contact the state and find out what you need to do to start a detailing business.

I am not trying to be harsh, but think about this. You have, from our point of view, struggled in the restaurant industry. I am sure it has nothing to do with your skill, but more your attitude and demeanor. How long do you have to bounce from job to job? Being your own boss seems to be what you really need. Start a detailing business. You arleady have a good reputation going when it comes to detailing.. Build off of that. Hell, I am damn near 2 hours away and want to bring my stuff to you. If you can really get your name out, you will do good. Take this chance, use the money wisely, dont buy a car or move... rent a small 2 bay garage and start there. Get an assistant, teach them. Build build build on this business. In a couple years, once you have saved enough money, perhaps bought your own shop, and have plenty of repeat business and a couple good trustworthy employees, then try starting your restaurant. Dont be overambitious! Again, start with a small place and build up.

I hope you can really keep realistic about this. I am sure we would all like to see you succeed and this could be the start of something for you.

[Chefasaurus]

A lot of valid points in this thread, and definitely a lot of stuff to think about.

[haunter]

most certainly. these decisions are not to be made lightly.

to add to the pile.

I would suggest, if you haven't already, registering Vanity Auto & Marine Detailing with the county clerk as an official Sole Proprietorship and getting a state tax ID #.

You could still keep people off the books, but use that to get paid if you go contractor style, it will make taxes much easier and allow you to keep receipts for supplies for business expense deductions, and possibly get comp'd for mileage as well.

THe state would then tax you less cuz you made less based on the expenses.

for Sole proprietor it costs like....20 bucks total by the time you go through the hoops.

[scrapin_frame]

very good idea.. a friends family has a shop. they only claim credit card and checks.. all cash they pocket

[haunter]

exactly.

I have 2 state agencies that want to pay me with grant money in check form to do some IT support....so I have been looking at SP LLC and incorporating, IL just raised the LLC creating fee's more than double(over 500 bucks now) so SP it is!

[Emanuel]

very good idea.. a friends family has a shop. they only claim credit card and checks.. all cash they pocket

its essentially tax fraud, but people do it anyway:rolleyes:

[haunter]

not essentially, it IS tax fraud.

so is fixing someones car for beer if you dont claim the beer as income.

[Emanuel]

not essentially, it IS tax fraud.

so is fixing someones car for beer if you dont claim the beer as income.

true, however we talking a bit larger amounts here, which have the potenzial to destroy all his restaurant dreams, if convicted

don't say you've not been warned.

[gary p]

Why would you rather be a contractor than an employee? Contractors get no benefits, no unemployment protection, and must pay additional self employment tax. If you're going to be married to the place, up to your eyeballs with all the work they're going to throw at you and have no time to do any other work, it makes more sense to take thier employment offer. Any illusions you have that being a "contractor" instead of an "employee" gives you more freedom are just that, illusions.

[haunter]

true, but only if they are offering benefits. The tax stuff is more difficult, balancing the books with the state/fed quarterly.

[haunter]

true, however we talking a bit larger amounts here, which have the potenzial to destroy all his restaurant dreams, if convicted

don't say you've not been warned.

never said it was a good idea or legal. but its also a very common practice, its not like they audit all waiters/bartenders/delivery drivers for their tips that they are required by law to report.

as long as you dont do anything stupid, you dont get audited.

[scrapin_frame]

If their are benefits, then it is worth it. Being their employee has its good points, but as a sub-contractor he is not required to pay into social security or unemployment which means more money in his pocket.

It all depends on the terms. I dont want him to have his culinary goals dashed away, I just think he should capitalize on this opportunity. His ambition gets the better of him most times.

[Emanuel]

most certainly. these decisions are not to be made lightly.

to add to the pile.

I would suggest, if you haven't already, registering Vanity Auto & Marine Detailing with the county clerk as an official Sole Proprietorship and getting a state tax ID #.

You could still keep people off the books, but use that to get paid if you go contractor style, it will make taxes much easier and allow you to keep receipts for supplies for business expense deductions, and possibly get comp'd for mileage as well.

THe state would then tax you less cuz you made less based on the expenses.

for Sole proprietor it costs like....20 bucks total by the time you go through the hoops.

never said it was a good idea or legal. but its also a very common practice, its not like they audit all waiters/bartenders/delivery drivers for their tips that they are required by law to report.

as long as you dont do anything stupid, you dont get audited.


I believe you:rolleyes:

[Chefasaurus]

To throw another variable into all of this, I have a car that I'm trying to buy. My dad flipped his lid when he found out. I owe my parents a TON of money. So, I may have struck a deal with him... if I get the car, I'll have him paid off by the end of the year.


I have been weighing options... and I think I'm gonna take the employee position. I still have 2 weeks until I have to let the client know.

It's all depending on if they offer insurance/benefits too. If not, then I'll go towards the contractor route... but I really don't want to get hit with the massive taxes at the end of the year.

Still gotta let it all marinate for a couple days.

[haunter]

I believe you:rolleyes:

two of my close friends are CPA's and was or were tax accountants.

bottom line is 95% of people cheat on their taxes, very few get audited.

http://www.wwwebtax.com/audits/audit_avoiding.htm


cliffs: dont be an idiot and you wont get audit'd.

if you buy a 40,000 car and report 20k in income that year, you will probably get audited.



really chef, if they have any benefits, and will buy your supplies, its way easier to be an employee and not have paperwork.

[Chefasaurus]

really chef, if they have any benefits, and will buy your supplies, its way easier to be an employee and not have paperwork.

That's my train of thought.



Even if I have to buy my own stuff, it gets a LOT cheaper when you start buying in bulk. A quart of one of the particular compounds I have is $29. A gallon is $65. A case of 4 gals. is $200. It takes about half a quart for a full semi.

[benny z]

chef - i am with toby. i haven't been doing it for 16 years, but for the past 3 i have been working at least 6 days a week, and reap the benefits. after a while you get used to it, and it really makes you appreciate your day off.

[Chefasaurus]

The long hours/long weeks aren't what are on my mind. Bear in mind I've been in the restaurant industry for almost 15 years.


One of the few drawbacks I saw, was that I wouldn't be able to take my time and do a 100% job on every project. It becomes quantity over quality. Any of my clients will tell attest, that the extra time invested is worth it. But here, I may only have 8 hours before the truck would have to go back on the road. It'd come back a few days later, and I'd have to start over. I'd still be getting paid for it, but I hate doing the same job twice. That's a personal thing, and part of my personality. It has to be "right."


I haven't committed to anything yet, but I'm leaning heavily towards it.

[Z3papa]

Why would you rather be a contractor than an employee? Contractors get no benefits, no unemployment protection, and must pay additional self employment tax. If you're going to be married to the place, up to your eyeballs with all the work they're going to throw at you and have no time to do any other work, it makes more sense to take thier employment offer. Any illusions you have that being a "contractor" instead of an "employee" gives you more freedom are just that, illusions.

I have not read the entire thread but you do not want to be a self-employed contractor under this deal. Your self-employment tax alone would mean 7.45% (6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare) less in the pocket let along worker's compensation, unemployment and other insurance issues. Take the gig, make some money, stay out of trouble and move on down the road. The economy is bad and now is not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Matt]

I may only have 8 hours before the truck would have to go back on the road. It'd come back a few days later, and I'd have to start over. I'd still be getting paid for it, but I hate doing the same job twice. That's a personal thing, and part of my personality. It has to be "right."


I haven't committed to anything yet, but I'm leaning heavily towards it.


that would be the toughest part for me as well. to me it seems like you detail because you enjoy it and your REALLY good at it. i would think that about day 2 of doing big ass semi after big ass semi it would not be fun anymore and just be more of a "job". it's not like you'd be detailing ferrari's and lamborghini's that the people driving them would appreciate it either, you'd have fat stinky truckers that don't give 2 shit's about someone else's rig and so it'll just piss you off more the 2nd time you see it come back completely trashed.

still a tough decision either way. i think here you're considered a professional detailer and there's you'd be known as the wash boy.

keep yourself happy. money will come.

[NOPIS10]

dolla dolla bills. That's what it comes down you. You don't have any dependents, or large time commitment. Now is the time to dig yourself out of the whole you've gotten yourself into over the past 10 years and start fresh!

[psssst...passedyou]

there is no contract if you are an employee right? So take the gig and quit in 2 months if do not like it.

[Chefasaurus]

It's a 6 month contract, with negotiation at the end of the contract.


It's basically full-time work through the end of January.

I'd be contractually obligated to be there and do the job asked of me... for 6mos.

[ghey]

It's a 6 month contract, with negotiation at the end of the contract.


It's basically full-time work through the end of January.

I'd be contractually obligated to be there and do the job asked of me... for 6mos.

6 months work for financial freedom?

You can't put off partying and for 6 months?!

Dude, it's a no brainer.

P.S.

Do my pink man missile before you take the contract:D

[scrapin_frame]

It's a 6 month contract, with negotiation at the end of the contract.


It's basically full-time work through the end of January.

I'd be contractually obligated to be there and do the job asked of me... for 6mos.

So at 6 months, it would be the longest job you've held

[haunter]

ouch hehehe

[Chefasaurus]

So at 6 months, it would be the longest job you've held

Clever, but incorrect.