Todd,
There is a great demand in my area for good trim carpenters. In fact, I would expect that anywhere they are building lots of new houses, there is plenty of demand. The guy who did my house (I am ashamed to say, it was only paint grade and mdf, because I couldn't afford the good stuff) was and is excellent, and he is booked months in advance.
Here's my point. If your business is fine as is, and you like what you are doing, keep doing what you like. Everyone who has seen your work, on the net or in person, knows you are an excellent craftsmen.
However, if business is slow, or you don't have a preference for the kind of woodworking you do, then perhaps you should consider trimming out houses. Why? Money and job security...
If you decide that is what you want to do, I would suggest you start with a smaller house, and not on a tight schedule. With any new type of work, there will be a learning curve, and it would be better to bid a smaller house, or maybe a couple, until you figure out how to bid accurately, and exactly how to write the contract so you don't get burned. Better to get burned once or twice on a smaller job, then to get really burned on a big job.
The guy who trimmed my house had two helpers at the time working with him. Sometimes he and one guy worked on my house, while the third guy was doing callbacks on previous jobs. Trimming is not a one man job, so you would need to consider hiring help, and all the headaches that go with it.
I have no idea how competitive the market is, i.e., if the builders can dictate prices to you or not. That would be something else to consider.
Good luck in your decision. I know, either way, you will continue to be successful.
Martin
Last edited by Martin Shupe; 04-27-2004 at 2:25 PM.
Reason: spelling error
Martin, Granbury, TX
Student of the Shaker style