Its no wonder why so many building companies collapse these days, the cost of employing proficient skilled trades is getting harder by the day in Australia. Years ago young people were brought up learning how to make something or fix something, these days they play computer games and don't even know how to change a car tyre.
My business was building luxury sailing catamarans for pleasure and the charter industry, all vessels were built under a contract.
The charter vessels need to be built to a survey standard for whichever State that they will be operated in, this also becomes a nightmare in itself.
A boat builder must always know his costs and have a good handle on the time for labour times for completion. Obviously this is a luxury industry and the margins are far greater than for the home building industry however the equipment is far more specialized and in many cases not easily acquired, you don't buy in Bunnings. Eventually you learn to do everything in house and I mean everything, from hull and deck fibreglass construction, stainless steel fabrication to refrigeration, electrical and timber fitout.
Getting staff who are capable is the hardest task these days as there are very few people who are capable at doing more than one job. An employee who can fibreglass knows nothing about masts and rigging. How many people these days know how to setup a complex refrigeration system? The cost of employing staff in the marine industry is getting so difficult that most have now move to Asia. Its almost impossible to employ competent people, the good ones are getting old and retiring. Young people today are no longer willing to get the skills. So its not surprising that Australia now has very few boat builders who build quality yachts, most new vessels today come from Asia or Europe. Most of these are just popped out of a fibreglass mold with very little character.
