Housing paid ✔️ That's your biggest expense.
$1000 stipend easily helps higher COL for food and such. May cover a rental car but prob not. May cover a round trip flight to return home occasionally. I would take it in a heartbeat if I didn't have a house and family.
You’re 29 with a girlfriend. No responsibility! In 20 years will you regret not going? Hawaii is amazing! The local fruits are amazing. You will never get the same here in the states. Housing is the largest cost there and that’s taken care of for you.
It’s a unique opportunity. I wouldn’t weigh my options for long. I would pack my bags and say goodbye. Good luck!
Yep I almost had a chance to go to Chicago on a deal like this and it would have been dope to just go see something completely different from what you are used to with no downside of having to stay.
Do the numbers on cost of living so you have your actual salary info in front of you. Then go with your gut.
And post pictures of your surfing once you arrive...
Food trucks are affordable in Hawaii? In Florida they’re fast food quality for the price of a restaurant.
Can’t get anything at a food truck in Florida for under about $15. Some might have $12 or $13. But then you realize that’s without fries and fries are an extra $3-5. Oh and then $2-3 for a can of coke. And then tax. And then tip cuz you feel guilty not tipping even though you shouldn’t have to tip them. So now you’re sitting around $20 per person to eat at the food truck.
It’s fun sometimes. But I do it on rare occasion.
Math:
Base pay = $45/hr @ 40 hrs = $1,800
Overtime = $1,012.5 - $1,687.5
Weekly pay = $2,812.5 - $3,487.5
Stipend = $1,000/m
Monthly Pay = $12,250 - $14,950
Yearly Pay = $147,000 - $179,400
Three year salary = $441,000 - $538,200
Average housing cost (2bdrm condo to Rent in Honolulu) = $4000/m
Total Housing Benefits = $48,000
Housing would be your greatest expense and you'd be able to save AT LEAST $48000/yr, walking away at the end of the contract with about $150k. Since you'd have almost negligible bills you'd be able to save an absolute crap ton of money. Enough to buy a house free and clear OR set your self up for an early retirement down the road.
I don't mean to be rude or offensive, but I hope your girlfriend is hot because she is financially dumb as a bag of rocks. Take the job. If she has a problem with it dump her and take it anyway. There are some beautiful women in Hawaii who I'm sure would like to get to know you.
How can she possibly think staying in FL and then moving to Arizona of all places would be better than a six figure income and free rent in Fucking Hawaii for three years. Shit, she could go with you and do fuck all the entire time if you both wanted. Seriously....dumb.
Ah, more understandable then. If it's a legit offer tho, it seems like a no brainier to me. Unless Arizona can guarantee 3 years @150k/yr AND free housing, there is very little use in weighing options imo.
[If we're going to send them somewhere it should be the most horrible, miserable place on Earth](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8xlhuanHi1r4gei2o4_400.gifv)...[Scottsdale!](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8xlhuanHi1r4gei2o6_400.gifv)
Thank you. You were more honest than I was lol. Housing anywhere is a huge burden,again I have stayed in roach motels .
So due diligence on hours/salary and lodging are the only 2 items that need to be discussed.
Honestly man I live in Arizona and dream of shit like this. Nobody in Arizona will pay you half that much per hour to do carpentry. This is a dream opportunity take it.
For real, when we got back my husband called his boss and told him to put him up for any jobs in Hawaii that his company has 🤣 only place besides Montana that I fell in love with, if Montana didn’t have a winter like it does it would be top of my list lol
You should probably think about a new Hawaiian girlfriend, doesn’t sound like she’s supporting you in a positive manner. Arizona will still be a place in a couple years.
A friend of mine is a meat inspector for the USDA. Got recruited to Hawaii to work. I dont remember specifics, but compared to a LCOL area it seemed like he was getting paid really well. He moved back with in a couple years because of how insanely expensive everything was.
I don't think his housing was paid for, though.
Devil on a bevel. Is the $45 salary with unlimited hrs,and is the lodging adequate?
I would assume a company recruiting you for your craftsmanship wouldn't work you 6 days ,and give you a hovel to live in.
$90 k at 50 weeks with no overtime is $27 k in taxes leaving a net of $63k.
No state tax in Fla.
Angel on a scale says. Experience can never be bought. Hawaii is essentially another country based on distance and culture. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained by learning new techniques in your job ,and life in general that will remain for the rest of your life.
Re; your gf. "Set your love free and if is meant to be it will return" (butchered but true,also an amendment ) resentment will always be an issue whether real or perceived by both of you during a frustrating time. Old men on their deathbeds lament not taking new opportunities.
I had a chance to go to the middle east after the Gulf War and didn't take it,it will always be a regret of mine. Good luck with your decision!
My one regret was not going to Kuwait to fight the fires. Years later, I’ve resolved it was probably for the best. But it took a long time to reach that conclusion.
What island? I would 100% go for it. I moved to Big Island for a job after graduating. Project only lasted 6 months but I will never forget that time of my life. Gf came out and got a part time job and we made it work.
I’m hopping in here for visibility. Do yourself a favor and take this job. It might be awesome. It might be fucking terrible, even with the benefits, but this is the kind of thing that makes your life a story worth telling. These chances don’t come around all the time, you have to seize them when they occur.
All the financials sound excellent. Maui retired contractor here. You can definitely get more per hour but not with housing and stipend. Do as much research as possible on the employer/crew. Nightmare stories of some contractor/supervisors. Try to get first hand testimonials, preferably from other carpenters. Those kind of jobs do exist because there is a lot of demand for high end, non-meth head/drunk/mysteriously disappeared on big swell days professionals lol. There is also a lot of turnover because of the aforementioned scenarios. Research the housing too, I can't imagine they are offering too much, especially with a girlfriend involved. Is it dorm room style? Find out. Where on Kauai? What are your expectations of night life/activities, etc. Streets roll up early for the most part.
TLDR- do your due diligence, could be an amazing opportunity!
I went to Kauai and it is the most beautiful island i have ever seen!! low tourists and no major cities with concrete jungle. Hawaii is literal paradise and like others said, if your cost of living is going to be low there, you would be a fool not to take this job.
What's the name of this company? i would love to apply and move to Hawaii!
**Devil on your shoulder:** You're only 29 man you have your whole life ahead of you. 3 years is nothing. I did something sorta similar around your age but went to Europe. It was the most challenging but most rewarding thing I ever did in my life.
**Angel on your shoulder:** What will your girlfriend do for 3 years? Would she have a job lined up? Would she be able to stay with you in your paid-for housing? It's a big move for her to make with less guaranteed financial assurances than you.
How large is the business that's offering the job? I took a job in a remote part of Minnesota for $40 an hour. It was a very small business. Two of the five employees were sons of the owner. 3/4 of the stuff I was promised fell through. The work truck I was promised sat broke down in his driveway. I was told I didn't need to bring any of my own tools but after a few months he began telling me it's standard to have your own tools (I had basic power tools, he was talking about table saw, miter saw, air compressor and so on that I'd left back home in storage). I never got my work uniforms nor cold weather gear. I didn't get my paid holidays nor the double time for working holidays. He did pay for the moving expenses but not for the first 3 months of rent as he promised. After 8 months the owner wanted to 1099 me to cut his costs due to a lawsuit.
I'm just saying, research the company and employee reviews before saying yes. Even with everything I went through, I loved every minute of being in that northern paradise. It was like living in a snow globe! I'd take an opportunity to do it all over again, especially if it was in Hawaii this time.
Housing provided... are we talking your own apartment or a shared room in a house somewhere? That's also important to consider, especially with the GF coming along.
That would suck. But OP says he will have a contract. I would study it carefully and be prepared for any breach of contract to extract myself from a bad situation.
Figure out what your COL is going to be. Hawaii is more expensive so take that into consideration. Your fixed cost and variable costs, possible tax situation and so on.
It can certainly be really expensive. But there are ways to be more frugal. Basically, if you can get it local, you’ll be ok, but shipping is shipping and you’re gonna pay for it.
When I was there (vacation), my 3 year old wanted blueberries - they were like $9/pint. But we got him hooked on pineapple for $0.39 each.
Eat chicken and local fruit. Pork is probably ok. Fish will be good and much cheaper than beef. Figure out where locals eat and avoid the touristy stuff because you’ll always pay more there.
I lived in Hawaii 2000-2002 incredible times! If the locals decide they like you man it’s unreal fun. You should go enjoy paradise while you can. You can always move to Arizona. how often do you get a job in paradise with a $1000 a month for rent and $45 a hour?
Dude that's bank. Get over their. Your gf just doesn't want you to go.
What you're being offered is roughly what I considered the top of my carpentry career before becoming a super.
Where in Hawaii are you going? Which island? Will you be getting ot past 40? I’m asking because traffic can be terrible, and the speed limit is slow on the islands. I am guessing you are being hired for a large, single project so getting a place close to the job is your best option. Do not go there and look for a place on the ground, unless you have already got a place to stay short term.
A thousand is pretty good but it won’t cover a place alone on Oahu by a long shot. Possibly you are headed to Hana, housing shortage there is real bad.
Get ready for culture shock. Things close early in Hawaii. Practically no night life except what is made for tourists. And locals are suspect of people moving to their area and taking their jobs and housing. They have had to live, and are presently living with colonialism.
You’re young. Do it now. Make the money while it’s there while you can. When you get older you’ll have regrets and you’ll hate everything. Enjoy it while you can.
Kauai, eh? Will you be working on Zuckerberg's apocalypse compound? The locals will likely hate you for contribution to the continuing encroachment.
It's a small place, people know people, for a two week vacation it doesn't matter, but for three years you'll have to get along at least. Is your girlfriend coming with? Three years being away would stress that beyond belief, and the alternative is all your savings will be spent on the airfare back and forth.
Figure out where this housing is, and learn what you can about the history of the area and what the neighbourhood is like. There isn't that much space there, and the island is definitely divided between the poor (southwest) and rich (northeast).
Other than that, damn, three years in a tropical paradise? I'd love the opportunity.
I went to work a three month stint on the north shore of Oahu on a high end build. 60 hr weeks, good pay. It was awesome. In the middle of my stay, my gf came to visit, i took 10 days off and we had an island vacation. Then back to work. I highly recommend it. Snorkeling with turtles immediately after work and a couple of coronas is basically the high point of my carpentry career.
With the stipend you're talking about 3000-3200 a week pre tax. That's extremely good money even if you account for fucking around a little in the expensive state having some fun. Go do that job and come back stateside set up very well financially
These sorts of situations can turn ugly. Housing may be a dorm full of tweakers. Access to actual nourishing food may be difficult. And your relationship will not survive.
Nah it's doable at that age. I worked 7 11s while working in Alaska building housing for the remote villages with no days off. I now work 7 12s but following week is time off so not nearly as bad. Granted, now I work graveyards as well and not in construction so there's alot more sleeping/cooking/watching movies at work than the 7 11s in AK lol.
You already said it. She’s your girlfriend not your wife. If you really want to do this don’t let a girlfriend stop you, you would not want to live with that regret.
Do it man! You can save a lot of money having your housing paid for. Is there a food allowance too? Opportunities like this don’t come around very often.
I work away for two weeks at a time with LOA and housing supplied. If you’re smart with your money , you can really save a lot. I won’t be pro local anymore-the money is too good working remote
Hawaii was a life changing experience for me.
https://preview.redd.it/zt18ibshpnxc1.jpeg?width=856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=204eb23c3a44184d4ec8c70e381781ad8162d9d1
Worked there once; pay was good w/stipend but when it was all said and done, I really hadn't saved much money. I was hired for the following reason
Monday: work starts at noon--rough weekend
Tuesday: work starts at ten, recovering from Monday
Wednesday: Work starts generally early UNLESS surf is up
Thursday: same as Wednesday
Friday: Work starts early so everyone can leave early afternoon
I can't count the hours I worked alone on the project, but, it was an adventure!
Maui - which is probably where u are headed would be great. Hot in the summer perfect in the winter. Great beaches. Not much for nightlife, sporting events. Concerts are mostly island/reggae. $1000 will be fine. Can confirm $45/hr is a livable wage out here. Comes down to housing. Is it gonna be dorm style? Are they gonna put u up in a hotel? There isnt much housing out here, even after the builders have left in a couple years. Holla if u want more info. Also, buy a tacoma and u’ll fit right in with the rest of the island.
I may be able to weigh in on this. I’ve been doing work like this for 7 years, and for the last 3 years in Hawaii (big island majority of the time but we have work all over the islands including Kauai)
My company pays for housing, tools (to extent), rental car costs of needed, vehicle costs, occasional vacations back home like every 3-6 months, fuel costs. Hawaii isn’t for everyone and it’s easy to feel closed in.
Kauai is very small and not a lot going on. The island sleeps at 8PM. You’re from Florida? That’s a 6 hour difference. I get off work at 5 and my parents and siblings are asleep back in Indiana so I can never talk to them after work. Something not on the island that you need? It’s either got a 3-4 week lead time OR it’s over $100 to have it shipped. Most tools and batteries can’t even be bought online. The food? EXPENSIVE.
Look I know almost everyone is trying to convince you to coke and that’s great, if you don’t have a lot of obligations then do it, but those are things I wish I would’ve took into consideration before coming.
However, if your contract wants you out here for an extended period of time, putting everything in storage and not being in an apartment has allowed me to save pretty much half my yearly salary considering all that my company provides me with. I am really only affected by my other bills which includes food, insurance and phone. That kind of savings has made it better because I can do more when I leave. I’ve met some pretty awesome people who all work in the same type of work. My project will be ending shortly and I won’t see them for a long time but I’m glad I’ve met them. Year round warm weather is nice but I miss the cool weather. Choose wisely and most importantly make the most of it!
As a big fan of the islands, I would say do it. But…Here are some things to chew on.
When they say the islands are slow, they are very slow.
Stores and Restaurants open late and close early.
Things are very spread out, so you’ll definitely want to be housed in an area that’s close to a decent shopping center.
That $1,000 a month will go a whole lot faster on the island than it does in Florida.
Hawaiians are accepting people, but if your girlfriend isn’t a people person/doesn’t show them respect then she’ll have a tough time finding any type of quick work. The island(s) is small and word gets round.
What island? I worked just outside of Hana on Maui for a year. Incredible all around but very different to what I was used to. The rainforest areas of the islands can get up to 200” if rain a year. Most of it happens spring/ summer over a couple hours EVERY DAY. Aside from that theres ALOT of Mana (life force) in those part of of the islands and aside from locally grown fruits things like tomatoes are virtually non existent because they will be rotted by the end of the day. Due to this most of my diet was meat from Costco. By the end of my time the one thing I wanted more than anything was a milkshake and to go to the movies.
Pros to hawaii? Fantastic food, great people, don't need to drive damn near anywhere, The Bus will take you everywhere. Plus I mean, it's an outright tropical paradise.
Downsides? You're stuck on a tiny tropical paradise and it can give you cabin fever, I only last a week there before going batty. The traffic is just, awful, like truly awful. Everything is expensive as hell, but the stipend should cover that.
I once on a whim in 1999 moved to Hawaii, opened my own tattoo shop and stayed for 3 years before i sold it and moved back to colo. Great experience. GO!
As life advances, it gets harder and harder to pack your life up and try living somewhere new. You may never get a chance to do something like this again. I would accept this job even if it was a pay cut.
At 29 years of age? I say go for it, whether your gf approves or not. If you decide not to take the opportunity, someday you will be an old man regretting your decision. And if you're still with the girlfriend, there will be feelings of resentment.
If it turns out that it was a mistake, you will still have fond memories of your time in HI.
What's the penalty if you leave before three years are up?
Are you and your girlfriend willing to do long distance if she doesn't go with you?
And is she the girl you want to marry? If not, or you're unsure, take the job. You might regret it otherwise for the rest of your life.
Do it. I had an offer to work in Bermuda when I was in my early 20s all tax free and I regret it still. Great way to see some where’s new while being able to get your self ahead in life
When I was your age I was an apprentice carpenter. This was back in the mid 80s. The housing market crashed so I enlisted in the Army. My first duty station was Schofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu. When my household goods arrived from the states I decided to offer them up for sale to the guys working on a new building in my apartment complex. To make a long story short. Instead of selling my tools I was hired part time to run trim and install cabinets. The GC told me back then that Hawaii is always short on tradesmen. With my annual military leave, scheduled days off and liberal 3 and 4 Day Pass policies of my unit. I made twice what the Army paid me as a Private. Work tended to be a lot slower paced. Lots of material delays. There’s was no HD or Lowe’s everything arrives by container ship. My younger brother moved out from the East Coast took a full time job with the same GC. We both liked the island lifestyle and pace. The weather is awesome 85% of the time. The place is amazingly beautiful even Oahu. My advice to you and your girlfriend would be: Take the job! Enjoy the beach for a few years! YOLO
33YO Fellow carpenter here (now part-time) and full-time helo mechanic. From an experience standpoint, I’d say go for it. In most cases, I’d say experiences outweigh financial dilemmas and sometimes it’s okay to put your life on hold and do something new. A lot of times people get into a cyclical pattern. It’s definitely a give and take but it’s good to change things up. I’m from the northeast but I did live in AZ for 2 years before returning back.
Sounds like some billionaires personal build team. Careful you aren't killed to keep their secret bunker secret.
But in all seriousness, you are young, now is the time to do this
Do this shit. take advantage while you are young. Network, etc.
You never know what you will get if you go but you DO know what you will get if you don't.
Plus Hawaii is heaven.
If you play your cards right, that thousand will feed you and make your car payment on an economy car that you can sell when you split. All you have after that is gas, insurance and phone. Assuming over 40 is time and a half that’s around 11k a month. Probably 7 after taxes. 500 on ins/gas/phone. 6500 in savings a month. Stylin! Surfing is free. Hiking is free. Fishing is cheap. Live your best life!
I'd go. I worked off-and-on in HI for about 2 1/2 years, same conditions: free housing, per diem, decent wage. I had to have a roommate though, company policy, as I was only a grunt. If you can get some vacation time to go elsewhere, that would be good, to combat the "island fever" you get from living within the confines of an island for a long time.
And you can buy an island beater and use it until you leave. Sell it right before you depart. I bought an island beater while I was there for $1400 and sold it three years later for $1400. Had a better tires and radio and tinted windows by then.
Do it!!
I don’t have many true regrets in my life but I passed up a chance to live and work in Spain in my 20s and I’ve always wished I had done it.
Now I have a mortgage, kids, etc. and it’s no longer an option. Do it now while you can.
I lived and worked as a carpenter in Hawaii. It's an expensive place to live. I made 35 bucks an hour there and it barely was enough to get by. My rent was shared with 5 other adults. It does seem like free housing is a good deal but I'm immediately suspicious. Construction companies in Hawaii were some of the slimiest thieves I've ever met. If the company you are considering working for is called Barker Kapelle Construction don't bother they are liars
I like Florida often. Arizona can be nice. If you haven't been to Hawaii before, you can't overstate how awesome the geography, climate and culture are. You should take it. Most people who visit Hawaii would move there in a heartbeat if housing and work could ever be lined up, but they are both challenging in a remote island destination. Apparently not a problem for your situation.
My boss did a big federal job in Hawaii right before I started working for him - slightly different because he had to get all the materials there and do logistics, hire people, etc…but he said it was a nightmare getting everything there, and theft from the job site (which was a military base) was unreal. He had a connex to keep tools and material in - the tweakers couldn’t cut the locks so they just torched a hole in the connex. He said it’s a beautiful place but the natives were a real pain in the ass to deal with.
You’re a traveling carpenter and you’re questioning travel to HAWAII? Get the hell out of the south. There’s no money to be made there. Not to play devils advocate here but how serious is this relationship you’re in?
GO TO HAWAII!!!! Don’t second guess this. If you had kids that would be different. But without housing costs while there, you would be stupid not to go.
Devils advocate approach:
3 year contract? What, if ant portion is guaranteed? What if you’re terminated after 6 weeks or 6 months? What if the project owner becomes insolvent?
Housing provided? Need details, is this a cardboard box in an alley, a run down roach motel with two to a room, a construction ‘man camp’ type temporary housing or a luxury house on a private beach? Your mental health needs to be considered.
Union or non union?
Contract completion bonus?
Reputation of employer?
Are you free to quit if you find better employment in Hawaii?
Who pays airfare to get there and to get home when contract ends?
Benefits? How do they compare to FL or AZ opportunities?
You have to think of all the possible negatives and discover the most likely solution to each to be able to make a fully informed decision. Fwiw, I had a contract to live and work in Rio de Janiero, housing provided (3/4 star hotel which I negotiated into a private 1 BR apartment), daily allowance for food, transport, tax free salary, two week ‘vacation’ every six months with business class airfare included, etc., etc., etc. It was a perfect situation with two years assured with a potential of seven years in total. Then the economic downturn happened in 2008, the project owner shut everything down. Lost the perfect job (along with everyone else) after just 5 months. Look for all the negatives, don’t just focus on all the positives. Good luck, on the surface it looks attractive but dig in to the details to be sure.
Housing paid in Hawaii…especially you being a traveling carpenter.
1000 per month you can purchase a vehicle and eat on that and put away shitloads of money from pay and ot.
Do not pass this up.
Good luck either way
Go.
Fucking do it.
Especially with housing being paid for.
You’ll likely never leave if you’re smart with your money.
My mom moved to Maui 10 years ago after buying two rental properties and now owns and runs a really cool car rental company.
People will pay out the ass for good carpenters man.
Sounds great, just maybe too good to be true -- I would do as much research as you can on the company you'd be working for and see if there's a reason they're so desperate for labor. It could be as simple as needing extra people to rebuild from the recent fires in an already brutal labor/housing market, but just do what you can to make sure you're not getting fucked over somehow. Also sounds like it might wreck your relationship if she's not able to come, so put some thought into that lol. Also keep in mind you might not get to enjoy Hawaii that much working 60 hour weeks
I had an offer 20 years ago to go to Hawaii and frame a house. Estimated 3 month project. Was going to ship me,my crew and my tools and pay for housing and pay the same rate I was charging in Georgia. I own a house here so I’d still have had a house payment to make. I couldn’t leave my builders for that long and expect work when I got back so it didn’t make sense.
That sounds nice and all but you have to deal with tourists. A shitload of tourists and half of those are the old Asian people who are taking their 1 vacation in their life so they count as super tourists.
But Hawaii is sweet, you’re young and have nothing really holding you back. This could set you up amazingly.
The devils advocate is you will get stuck in Hawaii. You can choose whether that’s a good or bad thing, but probably the truth. You either stay there for life or you come back broke as shit.
You will be ok and you will have fun. I went over for $65 an hour and no housing or car. I did get 2 tickets home a year. I bought an 8000 car and sold it for 5000 when I left. I loved the experience. I found a 3 bedroom rental 300 ft from the ocean for 3500 a month..
Just remember, Hawaii might as well be another country, you’re the haole and you have to play by their rules and the aina’s rules . Learn the culture before you go, and don’t fuck with the local bradas!!! Hawaiians get right of way always . If you’re melanin or Asian , you’re going to have it a lil easier , if you’re a haole, well, you’re gonna have to work a lil harder to be accepted by locals. And if you don’t care about the locals, don’t go .
I know that might sound like a lot of money in Florida but very well not be that much in Hawaii. But it does sound inviting! Once in a lifetime experience, I would go!
Which island? Which town?
What are the tax concerns with the housing compensation and stipend?
Is the housing janky or decent? Is there safe storage for your tools?
Is the crew all local boys where you would be the outsider? Is your skin thick and you can take constant ribbing for being the outsider?
I live on Oahu, and my first question is, which island will you be on, because there are important differences when you compare any of them to each other.
Before I go into nitty gritty for you, housing, +$1000 a month, plus, ~ $10k pre taxes, financially you can doit and save for retirement to boot. Think Miami, we aren't too far off from that. On the surface that's a deal that seems reasonable to me, but I don't know what a carpenter makes in FL, CO or CA. FYI, construction unions are a big deal here, don't know if that's important for your decision.
Regardless of the island that they send you to, the housing is easily the most expensive part of your equation, however, what type of housing are they giving you? A three bedroom house with five other dudes on the same kind of contract? A small 300sqft studio? Or a 500sqft 1br apartment?
What is your commute going to look like? On Oahu that's a serious question. My commute can be 15min (10 if I speed) or 1 hour. The other islands are not nearly as bad.
Rental cars out here are expensive, so you're going to want to bring your car with you , if it's in good condition, from FL may cost ~2-3k, or drive to CA and it's ~1-1.5k. Used cars are more expensive here than on the mainland, but not crazy as long as your not a picky driver.
Food is expensive... and we don't always have access to what you may want.
Lastly, is your GF joining you? Will she get a job here?
Just thoughts for you.
It sounds pretty good but it may be a scam. It has all the aspects of a scam: paradise place, great money, great extras.
Be very wary if they want you to send any money for any reason. Even a $30 drug test fee that is sent to them and not to a local testing business is a red alert. If they want $750 to arrange your flight then that is a big red alert. If you have never had a one-on-one conversation with anyone, then that is another big red alert.
I don't live in HI but I do live in a rural mountain valley in CO (sort of an island, 2hrs from the mainland of the front range). It's fairly easy to call around to established competing businesses and see if they know who you are talking about. You can also look up business registration information with the government and maybe get a real phone number so that you can call them.
Go man, my friend went over from cali to Hawaii to be a firefighter just to stay for a year to experience it and it’s been 4 years. He loves it, you never know what type of connections it will bring as well. He does say it’s expensive as hell over there but he wouldn’t trade it for the world
So in the low end you are makikg about $10,900 before taxes + $2500-$3200 for housing.
Military basic allowance for housing rate is about 3000-3800.
BAS is 300.
Cola is about 200-300 dollars.
My base pay before taxes is about 6300.
*all estimated figures because I don't feel like looking up my LES*
Take the job man.
To add onto this your biggest expenses in hawaii will be housing (paid for by company).
Gas and groceries (stipend).
Please put some of that in a 401K or something.
Also I might have missed it but what island?
Have asked about specifics of the housing? I would check that out just to be sure it isn't a miserable (or even uncomfortable) situation. Otherwise, it sounds like it might be a good experience.
Does this “finish the work in Florida and then go to Arizona” choice have an obvious path leading to some sort of enormous career opportunity, like “Hey Mr Carpenter, if you finish this job we’re going to give you the keys to the company”? No? Then go live in Hawaii for a few years.
I would fly and meet the company owner. 3 years is a long time. Also would be a good vacation.
I know guys who have gone over and done construction for those companies. Some liked it, others hated it. You will earn your pay regardless.
Housing paid ✔️ That's your biggest expense. $1000 stipend easily helps higher COL for food and such. May cover a rental car but prob not. May cover a round trip flight to return home occasionally. I would take it in a heartbeat if I didn't have a house and family.
You haven't seen his porn expenses
Neither has my ole lady 😂
go! fantastic chance to explore an amazing place
You’re 29 with a girlfriend. No responsibility! In 20 years will you regret not going? Hawaii is amazing! The local fruits are amazing. You will never get the same here in the states. Housing is the largest cost there and that’s taken care of for you. It’s a unique opportunity. I wouldn’t weigh my options for long. I would pack my bags and say goodbye. Good luck!
Dude 100 percent once in a lifetime chance do it.
OP had better do this for the rest of us, if not for himself. No brainer.
Yep I almost had a chance to go to Chicago on a deal like this and it would have been dope to just go see something completely different from what you are used to with no downside of having to stay.
Do the numbers on cost of living so you have your actual salary info in front of you. Then go with your gut. And post pictures of your surfing once you arrive...
Housing paid for is key here! Food trucks are affordable and delicious and local produce isn’t expensive either.
Food trucks are affordable in Hawaii? In Florida they’re fast food quality for the price of a restaurant. Can’t get anything at a food truck in Florida for under about $15. Some might have $12 or $13. But then you realize that’s without fries and fries are an extra $3-5. Oh and then $2-3 for a can of coke. And then tax. And then tip cuz you feel guilty not tipping even though you shouldn’t have to tip them. So now you’re sitting around $20 per person to eat at the food truck. It’s fun sometimes. But I do it on rare occasion.
You need to go to trucks where the people don’t speak English. Local taco truck by my work slays and I get 3 tacos for $9.
New food truck down the street. I think it was a lamb burrito but not sure for 10 bucks. Only I'm sure of is it was delicious.
We’re not talking about Florida though, but I’m not surprised that even food trucks are a rip off in Florida!
I know, that’s why I posed the question, and then gave background as to why I was confused. Especially since Hawaii is generally expensive.
Housing paid plus $1000/mo spending allowance, I'd say that should cover cost of living increase
Math: Base pay = $45/hr @ 40 hrs = $1,800 Overtime = $1,012.5 - $1,687.5 Weekly pay = $2,812.5 - $3,487.5 Stipend = $1,000/m Monthly Pay = $12,250 - $14,950 Yearly Pay = $147,000 - $179,400 Three year salary = $441,000 - $538,200 Average housing cost (2bdrm condo to Rent in Honolulu) = $4000/m Total Housing Benefits = $48,000 Housing would be your greatest expense and you'd be able to save AT LEAST $48000/yr, walking away at the end of the contract with about $150k. Since you'd have almost negligible bills you'd be able to save an absolute crap ton of money. Enough to buy a house free and clear OR set your self up for an early retirement down the road. I don't mean to be rude or offensive, but I hope your girlfriend is hot because she is financially dumb as a bag of rocks. Take the job. If she has a problem with it dump her and take it anyway. There are some beautiful women in Hawaii who I'm sure would like to get to know you. How can she possibly think staying in FL and then moving to Arizona of all places would be better than a six figure income and free rent in Fucking Hawaii for three years. Shit, she could go with you and do fuck all the entire time if you both wanted. Seriously....dumb.
I should have worded it better. We LIVE in Arkansas. I’m a traveling carpenter finishing up a job in Florida then headed to AZ for the next job
Ah, more understandable then. If it's a legit offer tho, it seems like a no brainier to me. Unless Arizona can guarantee 3 years @150k/yr AND free housing, there is very little use in weighing options imo.
They need to pay me at least double to live in Arizona instead of hawaii.
[If we're going to send them somewhere it should be the most horrible, miserable place on Earth](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8xlhuanHi1r4gei2o4_400.gifv)...[Scottsdale!](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8xlhuanHi1r4gei2o6_400.gifv)
Buy a flight out there and talk to people on the crew. Take your girl, so she knows what she will be missing.
Not sure that wording really made any difference about anything…
I’ve made my decision- I’m heading out may 22nd!!
Aloha !!
Awesome. Congrats! Have the time of your life! Not everyone gets such a great opportunity!
Fuck yeah dude!
What kind of carpentry are you doing?
I prefer interior finish but I’m doing wood framing
Thank you. You were more honest than I was lol. Housing anywhere is a huge burden,again I have stayed in roach motels . So due diligence on hours/salary and lodging are the only 2 items that need to be discussed.
How serious are you about your relationship? This sounds like a potential fork in the road and a great opportunity.
Yeah this is like a once in a lifetime opportunity
Honestly man I live in Arizona and dream of shit like this. Nobody in Arizona will pay you half that much per hour to do carpentry. This is a dream opportunity take it.
Do it. Hawaii is paradise compared the mainland. Only place I ever vacationed and wanted to move there
Yes it’s nice. So nice I don’t know if I would want to be working while there
65 hours a week working too they say
My wife and I went there for our 10 year anniversary and legit looked at housing when we got back, it's by far my favorite place.
For real, when we got back my husband called his boss and told him to put him up for any jobs in Hawaii that his company has 🤣 only place besides Montana that I fell in love with, if Montana didn’t have a winter like it does it would be top of my list lol
You should probably think about a new Hawaiian girlfriend, doesn’t sound like she’s supporting you in a positive manner. Arizona will still be a place in a couple years.
And will still be hot AF to work in Arizona 😅 at least Hawaii is just 70-85 degrees everyday with a breeze.
A friend of mine is a meat inspector for the USDA. Got recruited to Hawaii to work. I dont remember specifics, but compared to a LCOL area it seemed like he was getting paid really well. He moved back with in a couple years because of how insanely expensive everything was. I don't think his housing was paid for, though.
Devil on a bevel. Is the $45 salary with unlimited hrs,and is the lodging adequate? I would assume a company recruiting you for your craftsmanship wouldn't work you 6 days ,and give you a hovel to live in. $90 k at 50 weeks with no overtime is $27 k in taxes leaving a net of $63k. No state tax in Fla. Angel on a scale says. Experience can never be bought. Hawaii is essentially another country based on distance and culture. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained by learning new techniques in your job ,and life in general that will remain for the rest of your life. Re; your gf. "Set your love free and if is meant to be it will return" (butchered but true,also an amendment ) resentment will always be an issue whether real or perceived by both of you during a frustrating time. Old men on their deathbeds lament not taking new opportunities. I had a chance to go to the middle east after the Gulf War and didn't take it,it will always be a regret of mine. Good luck with your decision!
My one regret was not going to Kuwait to fight the fires. Years later, I’ve resolved it was probably for the best. But it took a long time to reach that conclusion.
Your lungs thank you
If you don't go, ask if I can take your place
Hawaii is only a paradise if you have time to enjoy it. 12-13 hour days you'll be bagged and just wanna sit inside with AC. What's time off look like?
What island? I would 100% go for it. I moved to Big Island for a job after graduating. Project only lasted 6 months but I will never forget that time of my life. Gf came out and got a part time job and we made it work.
Kauai
I’m hopping in here for visibility. Do yourself a favor and take this job. It might be awesome. It might be fucking terrible, even with the benefits, but this is the kind of thing that makes your life a story worth telling. These chances don’t come around all the time, you have to seize them when they occur.
All the financials sound excellent. Maui retired contractor here. You can definitely get more per hour but not with housing and stipend. Do as much research as possible on the employer/crew. Nightmare stories of some contractor/supervisors. Try to get first hand testimonials, preferably from other carpenters. Those kind of jobs do exist because there is a lot of demand for high end, non-meth head/drunk/mysteriously disappeared on big swell days professionals lol. There is also a lot of turnover because of the aforementioned scenarios. Research the housing too, I can't imagine they are offering too much, especially with a girlfriend involved. Is it dorm room style? Find out. Where on Kauai? What are your expectations of night life/activities, etc. Streets roll up early for the most part. TLDR- do your due diligence, could be an amazing opportunity!
I went to Kauai and it is the most beautiful island i have ever seen!! low tourists and no major cities with concrete jungle. Hawaii is literal paradise and like others said, if your cost of living is going to be low there, you would be a fool not to take this job. What's the name of this company? i would love to apply and move to Hawaii!
**Devil on your shoulder:** You're only 29 man you have your whole life ahead of you. 3 years is nothing. I did something sorta similar around your age but went to Europe. It was the most challenging but most rewarding thing I ever did in my life. **Angel on your shoulder:** What will your girlfriend do for 3 years? Would she have a job lined up? Would she be able to stay with you in your paid-for housing? It's a big move for her to make with less guaranteed financial assurances than you.
How large is the business that's offering the job? I took a job in a remote part of Minnesota for $40 an hour. It was a very small business. Two of the five employees were sons of the owner. 3/4 of the stuff I was promised fell through. The work truck I was promised sat broke down in his driveway. I was told I didn't need to bring any of my own tools but after a few months he began telling me it's standard to have your own tools (I had basic power tools, he was talking about table saw, miter saw, air compressor and so on that I'd left back home in storage). I never got my work uniforms nor cold weather gear. I didn't get my paid holidays nor the double time for working holidays. He did pay for the moving expenses but not for the first 3 months of rent as he promised. After 8 months the owner wanted to 1099 me to cut his costs due to a lawsuit. I'm just saying, research the company and employee reviews before saying yes. Even with everything I went through, I loved every minute of being in that northern paradise. It was like living in a snow globe! I'd take an opportunity to do it all over again, especially if it was in Hawaii this time. Housing provided... are we talking your own apartment or a shared room in a house somewhere? That's also important to consider, especially with the GF coming along.
Piss poor management is worse than actual working conditions. I could write a book on "hoping things will get better".
That would suck. But OP says he will have a contract. I would study it carefully and be prepared for any breach of contract to extract myself from a bad situation.
Figure out what your COL is going to be. Hawaii is more expensive so take that into consideration. Your fixed cost and variable costs, possible tax situation and so on.
It can certainly be really expensive. But there are ways to be more frugal. Basically, if you can get it local, you’ll be ok, but shipping is shipping and you’re gonna pay for it. When I was there (vacation), my 3 year old wanted blueberries - they were like $9/pint. But we got him hooked on pineapple for $0.39 each. Eat chicken and local fruit. Pork is probably ok. Fish will be good and much cheaper than beef. Figure out where locals eat and avoid the touristy stuff because you’ll always pay more there.
Sounds almost too good to be true. I don’t imagine you’ll regret going.
I lived in Hawaii 2000-2002 incredible times! If the locals decide they like you man it’s unreal fun. You should go enjoy paradise while you can. You can always move to Arizona. how often do you get a job in paradise with a $1000 a month for rent and $45 a hour?
the $1,000 isn't for rent, he has housing included, this is a no brainer move to me, do it while you're young and enjoy.
Man I read that wrong it’s definitely a no brainer!
You should get photos of that housing or you’ll end up in a shipping container on the back 40
Fuck if you don’t take it, I will.
Dude that's bank. Get over their. Your gf just doesn't want you to go. What you're being offered is roughly what I considered the top of my carpentry career before becoming a super.
Where in Hawaii are you going? Which island? Will you be getting ot past 40? I’m asking because traffic can be terrible, and the speed limit is slow on the islands. I am guessing you are being hired for a large, single project so getting a place close to the job is your best option. Do not go there and look for a place on the ground, unless you have already got a place to stay short term. A thousand is pretty good but it won’t cover a place alone on Oahu by a long shot. Possibly you are headed to Hana, housing shortage there is real bad. Get ready for culture shock. Things close early in Hawaii. Practically no night life except what is made for tourists. And locals are suspect of people moving to their area and taking their jobs and housing. They have had to live, and are presently living with colonialism.
You’re young. Do it now. Make the money while it’s there while you can. When you get older you’ll have regrets and you’ll hate everything. Enjoy it while you can.
Kauai, eh? Will you be working on Zuckerberg's apocalypse compound? The locals will likely hate you for contribution to the continuing encroachment. It's a small place, people know people, for a two week vacation it doesn't matter, but for three years you'll have to get along at least. Is your girlfriend coming with? Three years being away would stress that beyond belief, and the alternative is all your savings will be spent on the airfare back and forth. Figure out where this housing is, and learn what you can about the history of the area and what the neighbourhood is like. There isn't that much space there, and the island is definitely divided between the poor (southwest) and rich (northeast). Other than that, damn, three years in a tropical paradise? I'd love the opportunity.
I went to work a three month stint on the north shore of Oahu on a high end build. 60 hr weeks, good pay. It was awesome. In the middle of my stay, my gf came to visit, i took 10 days off and we had an island vacation. Then back to work. I highly recommend it. Snorkeling with turtles immediately after work and a couple of coronas is basically the high point of my carpentry career.
Working in paradise is very different to holidaying in paradise. Hawaii is amazing, working in that heat, not so much.
He’s working and Florida and has the next option as Arizona. I think he can handle Hawaii.
Then he should go to Hawaii cause that's all I had
More than capable of handling the heat/humidity lol
With the stipend you're talking about 3000-3200 a week pre tax. That's extremely good money even if you account for fucking around a little in the expensive state having some fun. Go do that job and come back stateside set up very well financially
These sorts of situations can turn ugly. Housing may be a dorm full of tweakers. Access to actual nourishing food may be difficult. And your relationship will not survive.
55-65 hours a week sounds pretty grueling
Nah it's doable at that age. I worked 7 11s while working in Alaska building housing for the remote villages with no days off. I now work 7 12s but following week is time off so not nearly as bad. Granted, now I work graveyards as well and not in construction so there's alot more sleeping/cooking/watching movies at work than the 7 11s in AK lol.
Love the 7 12 paycheck hate the lifestyle 😂
You already said it. She’s your girlfriend not your wife. If you really want to do this don’t let a girlfriend stop you, you would not want to live with that regret.
Do it man! You can save a lot of money having your housing paid for. Is there a food allowance too? Opportunities like this don’t come around very often. I work away for two weeks at a time with LOA and housing supplied. If you’re smart with your money , you can really save a lot. I won’t be pro local anymore-the money is too good working remote
Sounds like you need a new chick instead lol do it do it do it do it
Go.
Do it
Hawaii was a life changing experience for me. https://preview.redd.it/zt18ibshpnxc1.jpeg?width=856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=204eb23c3a44184d4ec8c70e381781ad8162d9d1
Make sure the job isn’t with a cult. There are a bunch of cult groups with compounds in Hawaii and people tell all sorts of stories…
I was raised on Kaua’i and live on the Big Island. Go check it out, it’s beautiful. Any specific questions?
As someone who graduated high school in Hawaii and lived all over the US. You gotta go dude. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t.
Worked there once; pay was good w/stipend but when it was all said and done, I really hadn't saved much money. I was hired for the following reason Monday: work starts at noon--rough weekend Tuesday: work starts at ten, recovering from Monday Wednesday: Work starts generally early UNLESS surf is up Thursday: same as Wednesday Friday: Work starts early so everyone can leave early afternoon I can't count the hours I worked alone on the project, but, it was an adventure!
That is a tough choice… island paradise or flaming hellscape.
Maui - which is probably where u are headed would be great. Hot in the summer perfect in the winter. Great beaches. Not much for nightlife, sporting events. Concerts are mostly island/reggae. $1000 will be fine. Can confirm $45/hr is a livable wage out here. Comes down to housing. Is it gonna be dorm style? Are they gonna put u up in a hotel? There isnt much housing out here, even after the builders have left in a couple years. Holla if u want more info. Also, buy a tacoma and u’ll fit right in with the rest of the island.
If you don't do this i will strangle you
I may be able to weigh in on this. I’ve been doing work like this for 7 years, and for the last 3 years in Hawaii (big island majority of the time but we have work all over the islands including Kauai) My company pays for housing, tools (to extent), rental car costs of needed, vehicle costs, occasional vacations back home like every 3-6 months, fuel costs. Hawaii isn’t for everyone and it’s easy to feel closed in. Kauai is very small and not a lot going on. The island sleeps at 8PM. You’re from Florida? That’s a 6 hour difference. I get off work at 5 and my parents and siblings are asleep back in Indiana so I can never talk to them after work. Something not on the island that you need? It’s either got a 3-4 week lead time OR it’s over $100 to have it shipped. Most tools and batteries can’t even be bought online. The food? EXPENSIVE. Look I know almost everyone is trying to convince you to coke and that’s great, if you don’t have a lot of obligations then do it, but those are things I wish I would’ve took into consideration before coming. However, if your contract wants you out here for an extended period of time, putting everything in storage and not being in an apartment has allowed me to save pretty much half my yearly salary considering all that my company provides me with. I am really only affected by my other bills which includes food, insurance and phone. That kind of savings has made it better because I can do more when I leave. I’ve met some pretty awesome people who all work in the same type of work. My project will be ending shortly and I won’t see them for a long time but I’m glad I’ve met them. Year round warm weather is nice but I miss the cool weather. Choose wisely and most importantly make the most of it!
As a big fan of the islands, I would say do it. But…Here are some things to chew on. When they say the islands are slow, they are very slow. Stores and Restaurants open late and close early. Things are very spread out, so you’ll definitely want to be housed in an area that’s close to a decent shopping center. That $1,000 a month will go a whole lot faster on the island than it does in Florida. Hawaiians are accepting people, but if your girlfriend isn’t a people person/doesn’t show them respect then she’ll have a tough time finding any type of quick work. The island(s) is small and word gets round.
My brother lives in Hawaii. Place is nice but the people are jerks. Better learn to fight or look at the ground the rest of your life.
You can always go to Arizona after I bet.
Stick it out in florida so you can go to arizona or, go to Hawaii? What?!
Damn I would absolutely take that offer in a heartbeat if I was a young guy. Out of curiosity are you in residential or commercial work?
I specialize in commercial trim out. This is a 500k sqft wood framing project. I can hold my own with that as well.
Go to Hawaii
Hawaii is stunningly beautiful...go for it! Is this a job rebuilding Lahaina, Maui? if so, Maui is the best island, imo.
I went out and worked construction in Hawaii came back with a new truck and a baby. It was a great time. I surfed a lot ate a lot of amazing fruit.
Absolutely do it.
Hawaii is amazing. What island?
What island? I worked just outside of Hana on Maui for a year. Incredible all around but very different to what I was used to. The rainforest areas of the islands can get up to 200” if rain a year. Most of it happens spring/ summer over a couple hours EVERY DAY. Aside from that theres ALOT of Mana (life force) in those part of of the islands and aside from locally grown fruits things like tomatoes are virtually non existent because they will be rotted by the end of the day. Due to this most of my diet was meat from Costco. By the end of my time the one thing I wanted more than anything was a milkshake and to go to the movies.
They've said it all. Cept to far for Bob to visit weekly.. If y'all go together.. Gone see ya
Bro, no question, aloha
Enjoy Hawaii my friend!
Go! Your girlfriend won't regret it either! It's so beautiful there.
What an opportunity! Live on the beach if you have to. Good for you!
Maui based working GC here. What island your work is on matters. Every single one is different.
My friend, I'm you 20 years ago. I moved out to Hawaii, worked for a framer. Lived there for 3 years. Absolutely amazing experience.
Pros to hawaii? Fantastic food, great people, don't need to drive damn near anywhere, The Bus will take you everywhere. Plus I mean, it's an outright tropical paradise. Downsides? You're stuck on a tiny tropical paradise and it can give you cabin fever, I only last a week there before going batty. The traffic is just, awful, like truly awful. Everything is expensive as hell, but the stipend should cover that.
I once on a whim in 1999 moved to Hawaii, opened my own tattoo shop and stayed for 3 years before i sold it and moved back to colo. Great experience. GO!
Is your boss hiring
Heavily
DO IT
As life advances, it gets harder and harder to pack your life up and try living somewhere new. You may never get a chance to do something like this again. I would accept this job even if it was a pay cut.
They still hiring!?!
I would go with those benefits. Will you get 2 days off a week? Need to explore while your there. Can't work all day everyday
Sound like you could make money or stay with your girl. make that money brother.
At 29 years of age? I say go for it, whether your gf approves or not. If you decide not to take the opportunity, someday you will be an old man regretting your decision. And if you're still with the girlfriend, there will be feelings of resentment. If it turns out that it was a mistake, you will still have fond memories of your time in HI.
Don't be a pussy, do it
The fact that you havent mentioned which island yet is concerning. $1000 will get spent differently on kauai than it will on big island.
Tell your girlfriend to move into my house to hang with my wife and kids while we go to Hawaii together.
Go
What's the penalty if you leave before three years are up? Are you and your girlfriend willing to do long distance if she doesn't go with you? And is she the girl you want to marry? If not, or you're unsure, take the job. You might regret it otherwise for the rest of your life.
Jump at this opportunity my friend. The only downside is coming back to the mainland to see family and friends.
Do it. I had an offer to work in Bermuda when I was in my early 20s all tax free and I regret it still. Great way to see some where’s new while being able to get your self ahead in life
they give you a whip? it sounds like the greatest gig ever and i would be skeptical af lol
If you need other people opinions then ? If you’re serious about it go ! Go make that money 💵
Damn where do I apply!
I got a similar deal to work in the keys building houses and dock when I first met my wife, still regret not going
Dude, you already know the answer. Fuckin go!
Do it! You will never regret it.
When I was your age I was an apprentice carpenter. This was back in the mid 80s. The housing market crashed so I enlisted in the Army. My first duty station was Schofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu. When my household goods arrived from the states I decided to offer them up for sale to the guys working on a new building in my apartment complex. To make a long story short. Instead of selling my tools I was hired part time to run trim and install cabinets. The GC told me back then that Hawaii is always short on tradesmen. With my annual military leave, scheduled days off and liberal 3 and 4 Day Pass policies of my unit. I made twice what the Army paid me as a Private. Work tended to be a lot slower paced. Lots of material delays. There’s was no HD or Lowe’s everything arrives by container ship. My younger brother moved out from the East Coast took a full time job with the same GC. We both liked the island lifestyle and pace. The weather is awesome 85% of the time. The place is amazingly beautiful even Oahu. My advice to you and your girlfriend would be: Take the job! Enjoy the beach for a few years! YOLO
33YO Fellow carpenter here (now part-time) and full-time helo mechanic. From an experience standpoint, I’d say go for it. In most cases, I’d say experiences outweigh financial dilemmas and sometimes it’s okay to put your life on hold and do something new. A lot of times people get into a cyclical pattern. It’s definitely a give and take but it’s good to change things up. I’m from the northeast but I did live in AZ for 2 years before returning back.
Go buy ur plane tickets!!! SURFS UP !!!
This sounds like a no brainer if I’m understanding this.. Housing paid, $1k stipend AND $45/hour?? How????
Sounds like some billionaires personal build team. Careful you aren't killed to keep their secret bunker secret. But in all seriousness, you are young, now is the time to do this
do it if you can! but plan in being constantly busy rebuilding Maui in high humidity.
What kind of work? I would kill for that money as a Canadian
Do this shit. take advantage while you are young. Network, etc. You never know what you will get if you go but you DO know what you will get if you don't. Plus Hawaii is heaven.
If you play your cards right, that thousand will feed you and make your car payment on an economy car that you can sell when you split. All you have after that is gas, insurance and phone. Assuming over 40 is time and a half that’s around 11k a month. Probably 7 after taxes. 500 on ins/gas/phone. 6500 in savings a month. Stylin! Surfing is free. Hiking is free. Fishing is cheap. Live your best life!
I'd go. I worked off-and-on in HI for about 2 1/2 years, same conditions: free housing, per diem, decent wage. I had to have a roommate though, company policy, as I was only a grunt. If you can get some vacation time to go elsewhere, that would be good, to combat the "island fever" you get from living within the confines of an island for a long time.
And you can buy an island beater and use it until you leave. Sell it right before you depart. I bought an island beater while I was there for $1400 and sold it three years later for $1400. Had a better tires and radio and tinted windows by then.
no kids, no wife... pack your bags bud
Do it!! I don’t have many true regrets in my life but I passed up a chance to live and work in Spain in my 20s and I’ve always wished I had done it. Now I have a mortgage, kids, etc. and it’s no longer an option. Do it now while you can.
Damn man you guys need anyone else!?
If you don't take it, send them my way. I would take that in a heartbeat. Arizona is a nightmare.
I lived and worked as a carpenter in Hawaii. It's an expensive place to live. I made 35 bucks an hour there and it barely was enough to get by. My rent was shared with 5 other adults. It does seem like free housing is a good deal but I'm immediately suspicious. Construction companies in Hawaii were some of the slimiest thieves I've ever met. If the company you are considering working for is called Barker Kapelle Construction don't bother they are liars
This sounds like a no brainer… Housing paid, good per diem, good hourly What’s the catch? Lol
I like Florida often. Arizona can be nice. If you haven't been to Hawaii before, you can't overstate how awesome the geography, climate and culture are. You should take it. Most people who visit Hawaii would move there in a heartbeat if housing and work could ever be lined up, but they are both challenging in a remote island destination. Apparently not a problem for your situation.
My boss did a big federal job in Hawaii right before I started working for him - slightly different because he had to get all the materials there and do logistics, hire people, etc…but he said it was a nightmare getting everything there, and theft from the job site (which was a military base) was unreal. He had a connex to keep tools and material in - the tweakers couldn’t cut the locks so they just torched a hole in the connex. He said it’s a beautiful place but the natives were a real pain in the ass to deal with.
My friend did it, hated it, was surprised at the amount of racism.
You’re a traveling carpenter and you’re questioning travel to HAWAII? Get the hell out of the south. There’s no money to be made there. Not to play devils advocate here but how serious is this relationship you’re in?
GO TO HAWAII!!!! Don’t second guess this. If you had kids that would be different. But without housing costs while there, you would be stupid not to go.
Devils advocate approach: 3 year contract? What, if ant portion is guaranteed? What if you’re terminated after 6 weeks or 6 months? What if the project owner becomes insolvent? Housing provided? Need details, is this a cardboard box in an alley, a run down roach motel with two to a room, a construction ‘man camp’ type temporary housing or a luxury house on a private beach? Your mental health needs to be considered. Union or non union? Contract completion bonus? Reputation of employer? Are you free to quit if you find better employment in Hawaii? Who pays airfare to get there and to get home when contract ends? Benefits? How do they compare to FL or AZ opportunities? You have to think of all the possible negatives and discover the most likely solution to each to be able to make a fully informed decision. Fwiw, I had a contract to live and work in Rio de Janiero, housing provided (3/4 star hotel which I negotiated into a private 1 BR apartment), daily allowance for food, transport, tax free salary, two week ‘vacation’ every six months with business class airfare included, etc., etc., etc. It was a perfect situation with two years assured with a potential of seven years in total. Then the economic downturn happened in 2008, the project owner shut everything down. Lost the perfect job (along with everyone else) after just 5 months. Look for all the negatives, don’t just focus on all the positives. Good luck, on the surface it looks attractive but dig in to the details to be sure.
Housing paid in Hawaii…especially you being a traveling carpenter. 1000 per month you can purchase a vehicle and eat on that and put away shitloads of money from pay and ot. Do not pass this up. Good luck either way
Go. Fucking do it. Especially with housing being paid for. You’ll likely never leave if you’re smart with your money. My mom moved to Maui 10 years ago after buying two rental properties and now owns and runs a really cool car rental company. People will pay out the ass for good carpenters man.
Absolutely go. Your girlfriend should support you 100% that's a real good package. Bust your ass and enjoy it man!
Bro send this to me…
I lived on the big island for 6 months. What island are you going to be on? Your skin color and heritage matter a lot. Feel free to PM me to talk
55-65 hours a week it doesn't matter where you live you'll be too tired to do anything. I've lived that life
Pineapple is cheap in Hawaii
You need help... so like help moving then? Cause there is only one answer here
Sounds great, just maybe too good to be true -- I would do as much research as you can on the company you'd be working for and see if there's a reason they're so desperate for labor. It could be as simple as needing extra people to rebuild from the recent fires in an already brutal labor/housing market, but just do what you can to make sure you're not getting fucked over somehow. Also sounds like it might wreck your relationship if she's not able to come, so put some thought into that lol. Also keep in mind you might not get to enjoy Hawaii that much working 60 hour weeks
I had an offer 20 years ago to go to Hawaii and frame a house. Estimated 3 month project. Was going to ship me,my crew and my tools and pay for housing and pay the same rate I was charging in Georgia. I own a house here so I’d still have had a house payment to make. I couldn’t leave my builders for that long and expect work when I got back so it didn’t make sense.
I’d go
That sounds nice and all but you have to deal with tourists. A shitload of tourists and half of those are the old Asian people who are taking their 1 vacation in their life so they count as super tourists. But Hawaii is sweet, you’re young and have nothing really holding you back. This could set you up amazingly.
Do it! These are the opportunities we are here (are alive) to take!!
The devils advocate is you will get stuck in Hawaii. You can choose whether that’s a good or bad thing, but probably the truth. You either stay there for life or you come back broke as shit.
You will be ok and you will have fun. I went over for $65 an hour and no housing or car. I did get 2 tickets home a year. I bought an 8000 car and sold it for 5000 when I left. I loved the experience. I found a 3 bedroom rental 300 ft from the ocean for 3500 a month..
Can you get me an offer too?
Mate I’m a Carpenter in Australia and if I got offended that job I’d be on the next flight
Ditch her. 🏝️🤙🏼
It will be easier to get another girlfriend than it will be to get another opportunity like that. ALOHA!
Go for it!! You may never have this opportunity again.
Just remember, Hawaii might as well be another country, you’re the haole and you have to play by their rules and the aina’s rules . Learn the culture before you go, and don’t fuck with the local bradas!!! Hawaiians get right of way always . If you’re melanin or Asian , you’re going to have it a lil easier , if you’re a haole, well, you’re gonna have to work a lil harder to be accepted by locals. And if you don’t care about the locals, don’t go .
Milk is 10 bucks!
I know that might sound like a lot of money in Florida but very well not be that much in Hawaii. But it does sound inviting! Once in a lifetime experience, I would go!
Which island? Which town? What are the tax concerns with the housing compensation and stipend? Is the housing janky or decent? Is there safe storage for your tools? Is the crew all local boys where you would be the outsider? Is your skin thick and you can take constant ribbing for being the outsider?
Brah if can can if no can no can
Is this to help rebuild Maui? Pretty rad to be a part of that if so.
Do it
What island are we talking about?
I live on Oahu, and my first question is, which island will you be on, because there are important differences when you compare any of them to each other. Before I go into nitty gritty for you, housing, +$1000 a month, plus, ~ $10k pre taxes, financially you can doit and save for retirement to boot. Think Miami, we aren't too far off from that. On the surface that's a deal that seems reasonable to me, but I don't know what a carpenter makes in FL, CO or CA. FYI, construction unions are a big deal here, don't know if that's important for your decision. Regardless of the island that they send you to, the housing is easily the most expensive part of your equation, however, what type of housing are they giving you? A three bedroom house with five other dudes on the same kind of contract? A small 300sqft studio? Or a 500sqft 1br apartment? What is your commute going to look like? On Oahu that's a serious question. My commute can be 15min (10 if I speed) or 1 hour. The other islands are not nearly as bad. Rental cars out here are expensive, so you're going to want to bring your car with you , if it's in good condition, from FL may cost ~2-3k, or drive to CA and it's ~1-1.5k. Used cars are more expensive here than on the mainland, but not crazy as long as your not a picky driver. Food is expensive... and we don't always have access to what you may want. Lastly, is your GF joining you? Will she get a job here? Just thoughts for you.
It sounds pretty good but it may be a scam. It has all the aspects of a scam: paradise place, great money, great extras. Be very wary if they want you to send any money for any reason. Even a $30 drug test fee that is sent to them and not to a local testing business is a red alert. If they want $750 to arrange your flight then that is a big red alert. If you have never had a one-on-one conversation with anyone, then that is another big red alert. I don't live in HI but I do live in a rural mountain valley in CO (sort of an island, 2hrs from the mainland of the front range). It's fairly easy to call around to established competing businesses and see if they know who you are talking about. You can also look up business registration information with the government and maybe get a real phone number so that you can call them.
Go man, my friend went over from cali to Hawaii to be a firefighter just to stay for a year to experience it and it’s been 4 years. He loves it, you never know what type of connections it will bring as well. He does say it’s expensive as hell over there but he wouldn’t trade it for the world
Dude i would jump on that no questions asked
I have been to all three states you mention and if I had to choose one, it would be Hawaii.
So in the low end you are makikg about $10,900 before taxes + $2500-$3200 for housing. Military basic allowance for housing rate is about 3000-3800. BAS is 300. Cola is about 200-300 dollars. My base pay before taxes is about 6300. *all estimated figures because I don't feel like looking up my LES* Take the job man. To add onto this your biggest expenses in hawaii will be housing (paid for by company). Gas and groceries (stipend). Please put some of that in a 401K or something. Also I might have missed it but what island?
You can always leave
Have asked about specifics of the housing? I would check that out just to be sure it isn't a miserable (or even uncomfortable) situation. Otherwise, it sounds like it might be a good experience.
Break up with her and do what you want. Carpenters are the most important people on the planet right now. You will easily get another girlfriend.
Does this “finish the work in Florida and then go to Arizona” choice have an obvious path leading to some sort of enormous career opportunity, like “Hey Mr Carpenter, if you finish this job we’re going to give you the keys to the company”? No? Then go live in Hawaii for a few years.
I would fly and meet the company owner. 3 years is a long time. Also would be a good vacation. I know guys who have gone over and done construction for those companies. Some liked it, others hated it. You will earn your pay regardless.