Economy looking up?

[fredtoo]

Just a couple observations and wondering if others are seeing the same things?

I had some drywall delivered last week for a build out on some rental properties and the delivery guys said deliveries are up!

One of our real estate sign customers has indicated a fairly substantial upswing in sales.

We had an excellent January and February is looking good also.

I'm optimistic, what about ya'll? :)

[gene]

The end of last year was strong . so far this year is dead , I keep checking the phone to make sure it is working cause it sure isnt ringing.:(

[bleeth]

Requests for estimates are up. I also hear Architects are getting a bit busier. I don't expect miracles though. The residential real estate market around here (what there is of it) is being driven by bank foreclosure sales and cash buyers and bid pricing on commercial casework is still way to close to the bone. Looks like the first area to start rebounding is home remodel for long time owners.

[gene]

Home remodel and repairs are how i have held on the last two years. if i depended on cabinet work i would have had to file bankrupt some time ago:(
I do have high hopes that a rebound is coming soon:)

[butch]

Until this past month, I have been busier than heck. But for the past month I have done nothing but finish up some loose ends and put out bids. But it seems that it is starting to turn. A rule of forecast is how many requests for sales people and marketing skills are in the hiring pool, and that seems those hires are up. If those jobs are up than buiness's are believing sales are there to support those positions and anticipating an increase in sales.

[wberminio]

Economy UP?Maybe? The phone is ringing a bit more.I'm bidding on little more work-
But-first thing I hear-"I Don't want to pay a lot"
Material prices have not gone down.maybe up
Other shop expenses have gone up -not down.
Jobs I got I had to lower my rate 30- 40 % from 3 years ago
It's a different world!Nothing is as it was.

I heard on the news that the recession was over 18 months ago!
I don't think they told any one!

[dlcw]

I've seen a little more activity here in the northwest. A couple of the home builders and remodelers councils I belong to are reporting a slight up-tick in RFQ's. I've been doing almost any projects related to wood to keep the lights on. It has paid the bills but I drive a school bus in the early mornings (0500-0800) to have a little extra spending money.

The one thing I have noted is a substantial increase in worth of my retirement and investment accounts. Not sure what that means but I'm happy about that.

[michael_schwartz]

optimistic yes
confident, maybe...

I live in a major ski town in Vermont which is home to one of the largest ski resorts in the east. Our town is pretty much depends on tourism for survival. We see tourism from most of the northeast, parts of Canada, and the mid Atlantic. Our local situation really depends on the economy of the east coast at large.

For the last few years, you could really tell people weren't spending money, and were taking fewer, shorter vacations. Last year we saw a minor improvement, but things have been looking much better this year. I think that may be a good sign that people might start building second homes again.

Personally buisness has been on nothing but an upward trend, but as a start up that is to be expected.

In my area at least people feel very strongly about buying local, and supporting businesses within the community. The box stores are about an hour away, and gas prices can make shopping at Walmart expensive.

Keeping a positive attitude however is the only way to get anywhere in my opinion.

[bleeth]

Last year was pretty busy for us but a lot of the work was on contracts that came from institutions that had earmarked the money previously.By the end of the year severe price dropping by competitors and less jobs available made getting new work a real challenge. This year started off with a complete fizzle but things are looking up now.
The break gave me a chance to analyze issues over the past couple of years and I realized after a long look at the job costing reports that I needed to make some personnel changes.
The interesting thing is, that even with a slow economy and many shops in my area shutting down, reliable employees are still hard to find.
One guy, who has good basic skills and is taking to the CNC quite well, thinks ahead and is really a good personality has now pulled his 3rd no show in a month. Another man who I hired 2 weeks ago and left my office with a "see you in the morning, I really like your shop and am looking forward to working here" never showed up or called!
Go figure. :confused: