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AR15.COM
6/21/2010 2:58:39 PM EDT
I am thinking about moving to Key Largo.  The main thing I have to find out is if there is enough decent paying work down there to keep me busy. I am a small general contractor : carpentry, plumbing, electrical, flooring, and painting. I basically do everything except masonry. I mostly do home remodeling jobs.

I have work up here in Philly. I've been lucky enough to have some regular customers and I almost all of my work is from referrals. I work by myself most of the time but I will hire guys for a few days at a time on bigger jobs.  

The reason I am thinking about moving to Key Largo is that I have a friend who lives there and she says that there is a real need for a guy like me there because the big contractors all live on the Florida mainland and do not want to be bothered coming down to the Keys for smaller jobs. She say that many of the people who live in the Keys are more concerned with drinking and partying then working.

I plan to visit my friend in Key Largo and see for myself if there is work around. I would also appreciate any input from Florida members who live or work in the Keys.

Thanks in advance.
6/21/2010 3:27:26 PM EDT
[#1]
Keys are closed....Infact Florida is closed
6/21/2010 3:33:03 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Keys are closed....Infact Florida is closed


People from the less metropolitan areas of PA are alright just as long as they don't bring PA with them when they move down here.

6/21/2010 6:09:31 PM EDT
[#3]
I travel to Key Largo at least once a week and by the way the place looks, yes a general contractor is in need. There are lots of small businesses down there that need a tidy up.
6/22/2010 2:48:31 AM EDT
[#4]
visit for a week and give it a shot.
let people know your services are available.
If you get a few jobs do them to pay for your stay.
Then backlog a few and go back and get what you need.
When you come back continue what you left.

Good Luck
6/22/2010 4:38:24 AM EDT
[#5]
None of the contractors live there because it's too expensive.  In general, jobs in FL are hard to come by, contractor jobs are even harder to find as there are tens of thousands of GC's without work.  Add to that the illegal population in that area and you will almost always be underbid.

I'd give yourself a month or two to test the waters before committing to a move.  You can find a monthly rental there I'm sure...then get to work.
6/22/2010 8:50:33 AM EDT
[#6]
Very good advice. the keys look easy till your here
6/22/2010 12:45:07 PM EDT
[#7]
OP don't forget about licensing requirements. It is expensive to live in the keys.
6/23/2010 4:05:34 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
None of the contractors live there because it's too expensive.  In general, jobs in FL are hard to come by, contractor jobs are even harder to find as there are tens of thousands of GC's without work.  Add to that the illegal population in that area and you will almost always be underbid.


According to my friend who lives in Key Largo there are very few illegals in the Keys. She says that the cops are very strict down there and the locals basically don't let them move in. We have tons of illegals here in Philly and I still have work. They don't even hide. I can go by one Home Depot and there will be 50-100 of them every morning standing around in the parking lot waiting to be hired for the day. From what she tells me the illegal situation is actually better (as in much less of them) in the Keys.

I'm still gonna come down and see for myself but any input would be helpful.