Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Sep 14th 2008, 7:58 pm
#16
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
You could always end up at Home Depot or Lowes, doing their installs for kitchen and bath remodels. (Like B&Q)
Or go out on your own and do Kitchen and bathroom remodeling, I've noticed with the new homes no longer being built in California some of our local home builders are going back to remodeling.
Maybe advertise yourself as a Cabinet maker/craftsman.
Or go out on your own and do Kitchen and bathroom remodeling, I've noticed with the new homes no longer being built in California some of our local home builders are going back to remodeling.
Maybe advertise yourself as a Cabinet maker/craftsman.
Sep 14th 2008, 8:03 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Tracy
Thanks for your advise working on residential properties would not be a problem, but as usual I have to think of the $ in my pocket. Here it pays better to do commercial.
Don't worry about the shoplifter thing I get it all the time here to. I find it quite endearing.
Thanks for your advise working on residential properties would not be a problem, but as usual I have to think of the $ in my pocket. Here it pays better to do commercial.
Don't worry about the shoplifter thing I get it all the time here to. I find it quite endearing.
As far as the $, could be the same here with commercial being more. However - working for yourself generally makes more than working for someone else, and it might be easier to have your own business doing residential.Re. the shoplifter... well, just make sure you print very very clearly on those job applications
I agree - I could see him running the show, as he knows all the skills.
Sep 14th 2008, 9:02 pm
#19
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Hi Folsinsky:
Thanks for you advise I'll use it wisely. Still not sure either about the Union thing, I can see the good and bad to it. I suppose I'd have to become a member if it is required by an employer I wish to work for, but that's another dilemma for another thread. LOL.
Thanks for you advise I'll use it wisely. Still not sure either about the Union thing, I can see the good and bad to it. I suppose I'd have to become a member if it is required by an employer I wish to work for, but that's another dilemma for another thread. LOL.
While for private work you most likely will not have to be a member of the carpenters union but if you wish to work on commercial projects, you will have to be a member. Do a google search for carpenters union in Detroit.
Nephew joined the CU in Florida and had to pass a hands on test to be accepted. Here in the NYC area, you need to be sponsored by another union member. Check out the requirements in Detroit.
Sep 14th 2008, 9:19 pm
#20
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
This Christmas gone I renovated the old Barclays storage unit on Airfield way and converted it into a factory for Whittle Shopfitting (fromerly in Southbourne). They now go under the name Interserve. This is where I now work.
Sep 14th 2008, 9:27 pm
#21
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Maybe someone's already suggested this but to help illustrate your skills and trade, you should have a portfolio of pictures of work you've done. This will make it for easier for anyone to understand what a "shopfitter" does and maybe an American will be able to give you the nearest equivalent job title or pointers to where you can apply your skills.
Sep 14th 2008, 10:29 pm
#22
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
To help in your job search, it may help to think that Americans think a 'shop" is a 'work shop'. (That is, my hubby fixes his tractors in a shop).
To better describe your skills, perhaps you could let people know you can do 'store interior installation and remodeling'?
To better describe your skills, perhaps you could let people know you can do 'store interior installation and remodeling'?
Sep 14th 2008, 10:30 pm
#23
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Good Luck with your move to MI. We left MI 9 months ago but still keep in contact with friends. Things are *really* bad up there. Many of my friends husbands have had to move out of state to work but the families can't go with them because they can't sell their houses.....things can only get better! and it could be worse..you could be in automotive!!
Sep 15th 2008, 12:05 am
#24
Time Lord
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,032
Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Small world.
Sep 15th 2008, 12:45 am
#25
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
It sounds like the work you are doing is similar to what a contractor does in the US. In most states if you work as a contractor, you must be licensed by the state.
Different states have different rules that distinguish a contractor from a handyman. A handyman can do much the same work as a contractor but usually isn't licensed but may be limited in what he can do and the size of the project.
All states have different laws for an unlicensed contractor (handyman) but the following may be some examples.
Different states have different rules that distinguish a contractor from a handyman. A handyman can do much the same work as a contractor but usually isn't licensed but may be limited in what he can do and the size of the project.
All states have different laws for an unlicensed contractor (handyman) but the following may be some examples.
- Job size/cost may be limited but may possibly not be limited if the homeowner pays the handyman on an hourly basis (not on a contract basis).
- A handyman may not be able to perform work for businesses.
- Usually a handyman works alone where as a contractor has a team.
- Certain parts of a job may not be performed (eg. electrical) without the appropriate license.
Last edited by Michael; Sep 15th 2008 at 12:49 am.
Sep 15th 2008, 3:53 am
#26
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
I live in Mid-West Michigan. The economy is not great here right now and the job front is not the best either. Good Luck with your move.
Sep 15th 2008, 7:49 am
#27
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Hi,
I'm Andy and I just joined this site. I'm moving from Bournemouth to the States as soon as my house sells (or may have to rent it). I already have my visa, I'm married to a U.S. citizen, and have to activate it by the beginning of January.
I'm moving to the suburbs of Detroit, Bloomfield is where my wife is from. I'm a little concerned as no one knows what a shopfitter is in the U.S. and was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. Some people have told me to look for cabinet maker or fine finish carpenter jobs, but I'm not sure if this is correct. Any thoughts?
I have been searching online for jobs and am trying to determine what salary I may make. Am I crazy to move to Michigan, considering their current economy? lol.
Any advice would be appreciated. Are there many forum members living in Michigan?
Thanks,
Andy
I'm Andy and I just joined this site. I'm moving from Bournemouth to the States as soon as my house sells (or may have to rent it). I already have my visa, I'm married to a U.S. citizen, and have to activate it by the beginning of January.
I'm moving to the suburbs of Detroit, Bloomfield is where my wife is from. I'm a little concerned as no one knows what a shopfitter is in the U.S. and was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. Some people have told me to look for cabinet maker or fine finish carpenter jobs, but I'm not sure if this is correct. Any thoughts?
I have been searching online for jobs and am trying to determine what salary I may make. Am I crazy to move to Michigan, considering their current economy? lol.
Any advice would be appreciated. Are there many forum members living in Michigan?
Thanks,
Andy
You can well survive around Detroit with that pastime 
Sep 15th 2008, 3:35 pm
#28
Time Lord
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,032
Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Or how about opening a crack house. It's one of the few growth industries in Detroit. The hours aren't that great though.
Sep 15th 2008, 3:45 pm
#29
And YOU'RE paying for it!
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
You should read some more about the US Trades Unions, too - they work in a very different way to the UK TUs.
I was just in MI and the (purely anecdotal) general feeling is that things are pretty bad. In particular, there were quite a few stalled construction projects around near where I was - both residential subdivisions and some shopping centers too. This was in Macomb County, which is close to Detroit but is pretty middle class/comfortable (afaics).
I was just in MI and the (purely anecdotal) general feeling is that things are pretty bad. In particular, there were quite a few stalled construction projects around near where I was - both residential subdivisions and some shopping centers too. This was in Macomb County, which is close to Detroit but is pretty middle class/comfortable (afaics).
Sep 15th 2008, 4:07 pm
#30
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Re: Shopfitter moving to MI looking for advice
Just a thought...a lot of people who live near Detroit or Port Huron where there are crossings to Canada commute over to work every day...maybe worth looking into jobs in Windsor or Sarnia.