Happy Trails Construction

The suspension bridge is ready to go at Santa's Village. We will finish this trail soon....

A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE: A customer asked a contractor friend of mine how much it would cost to do this project. My friend gave him a proposal: $4...500 The customer responded: That’s seems really high. My friend asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job? The customer answered: $2500 maximum My friend responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself. The customer answered: I don't know how to. My friend responded: Alright, then how about for $2500 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $2000, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future. The customer answered: Sounds good! Let’s do it! My friend responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc.. The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all of these for one job. My friend responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $300 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project. The customer answered: Okay. That’s fair. My friend responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday. The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends. My friend responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you will need to take 3 days off work. The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time! My friend responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors. The customer answered: What do you mean by that? My friend responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. That’s all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the lumberyard at 6:00am. The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am! My friend responded: Well then you’re in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to your job site. The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $4500 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project. CONCLUSION: When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for: Knowledge Experience Custom Skills Tools Time to plan Time to prepare Professionalism Work Ethic Excellence Discipline Commitment Integrity Taxes Licenses Sacrifices Liabilities Insurance Permits If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please don’t disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices. If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with getting other proposals. Just remember.. you get what you pay for. SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it. CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it. Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.

The HCSA has relocated short (400 yard) section of TOP B112 off of private property at the request of a very patient landowner onto a Minden Hills Township road... allowance. It's location between Gelert and Minden (South Lake area) secures the future of this trail and our access into Minden. To get this done took a lot of discussion with different groups. The landowner allowed the HCSA on his property for at least three seasons while the details were worked out. We are beyond grateful ! Job Done: with gates and final grading. Thanks to Snow County Snowmobile Region, The Corporation of the Township of Minden Hills and our contractor Happy Trails Construction. Your permit dollars invested. Partners pulling together ! See more

5 years ago at Rays Place

There is no hunting on Bigwin Island. So the deer have no fear! https://www.facebook.com/happytrailsconstruction/

Boardwalks and Bridges

Still makin trails... :-)