Rocky Gagnon is a 50-year old journeyman carpenter, laborer, and craftsman. Over the past 30 years, Rocky has worked in almost every job and phase of the house building process. Rocky is getting older and his back is getting sore. He loves the construction business and feels that now is the time for him to start working more with his mind than his back. Rocky wants to become a general contractor.
Some general contractors have their own facilities, equipment and employees. Others simply work out of their homes and subcontract all of the work required to complete a particular project.
Rocky has an idea and a vision for something a little different. He wants to put together a team of tradespeople who will agree to work together toward the successful completion of about eight to fifteen homes per year. At the same time, each individual will be able to continue to operate as an independent contractor during off hours.
One of the results of working for 30 years in the local building trades is a large and varied network of friends and acquaintances. Rocky has enjoyed many a drink with the local plumbing and heating contractors, roofers, insulation people, land surveyors, and others. Rocky wants to take advantage of those relationships. The general profile of local contractors, according to Rocky, is that of a highly skilled, very independent group of people with poor communication skills. The workmanship is generally very good—when it finally gets done.
Many jobs and phases of the house building process take place in a logical
