Greenfield vs. retrofit: which one actually saves you more headache in the long run?

I've been doing this for about 8 years now and I'm still going back and forth on this. Did a new build last month in a suburb outside Portland where everything was open walls and easy access. Took me maybe 4 hours to run 12 drops. Then this week I had to fish cable through an old office building from the 70s with fire blocks and metal studs. Took 3 times as long for half the drops. Is the extra time on retrofits worth it for the higher pay, or would you rather take the easier greenfield jobs for less stress? Who's picking what side?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivanb4119d ago

Those 70s metal stud builds are a nightmare every time with the fire blocks. I honestly think the whole greenfield vs. retrofit debate ties into something bigger about how we value things that look easy on paper. We get lured by the quick cash on new builds, but like @lily89 pointed out, the retrofits have way less competition and you control the timeline with hourly billing. It's a trade off between immediate comfort and long term peace of mind, and most people pick the short term win until they get burned a few times. Do you find the old buildings with knob and tube are more or less common in your area these days?

lily8919d ago

Picked up a greenfield job in a new apartment complex outside Austin last year. Open ceilings, no insulation yet, ran 24 drops in about 5 hours flat. The money was decent but nothing special. Then I did a retrofit in a brick church from the 1920s with plaster walls and knob and tube wiring still in some spots. Took two full days for 8 drops and I charged triple what the new build paid. I'll take the retrofit every time if I can bill by the hour. Less competition for those jobs too.