Times are tough, but not for businesses serving folks who are choosing to repair, not replace.
The family car breaks down? Garages and auto techs are staying busy, while new car sales lag.
The fridge is on the fritz? Calling for a repair often is less expensive, and more affordable, than replacement.
Everything from home improvements (in lieu of buying a new home) to hitting the resale shops has numerous repair and reuse businesses thriving.
For those who service the oldest mode of transport, walking, shoe repair clients have become plentiful. More customers are seeking new heels and a shine, some bringing in sacks full of shoes for restoration.
*Home makeovers gain ground*
Home sellers in this extremely competitive market also are keeping numerous fix-up services busy. They are needed to help every property attract the most showings, net the highest sales price and hook one of the few ready buyers.
While commercial and residential builders, and construction workers aren’t flourishing with new builds, small-project contractors and workers who maintain and repair existing buildings are staying employed.
Some of their customers are those who can’t afford to move and, instead, are hiring help to repair, remodel and update property. Sure, owners may be bandaging their property, instead of authorizing full repairs
No. 1 on the list of most cost-effective fixes, according to Realtors, is paint. That explains why painters, drywallers, carpenters and contractors are in demand.
Next in recommended home upkeep is floors. Carpet and wood floor maintenance businesses also are staying busy. No. 3 is window replacement, followed by appliances. These need to be kept working in any dwelling.
Electricians, roofers, plumbers, furnace specialists and other contractors have seen a surge in business during the economic downturn. Emergencies still are their bread and butter, and occur in good times and bad.
*Revving up aging wheels*
The story is the same with motor vehicles. As fewer drivers are able to buy new cars, the age of their cars increases, as well as the vehicles’ need for maintenance and repairs.
The average U.S. car was 9.2 years old in 2007, a truck was 7.3 years, according to R. L. Polk research company.
Motor vehicles also require emergency repairs, with accidents that occur unexpectedly in every economy.
If you happen to be a handyman, it might be time to polish those skills and market them to a potential employer or in your own start-up business. Joining the local chamber of commerce and encouraging friends and clients to spread the word about your business is a great first step.
Training is available at 113 Colorado community colleges (www.cccs.edu/AboutCCCS/amend50.html, (303) 620-4000) offering 1,200 secondary and 800 postsecondary career and technical programs across the state. Private schools also ready graduates for careers in truck driving, medical, food service, IT, graphics and other occupations.
Courses can prepare students for a new career in a matter of months or a year or two. Area schools offer training in auto technology and collision repair, engine overhauls, welding, custodial services, HVAC/R — even aviation maintenance.
Apprenticeships and training programs also are available locally in plumbing, electrical, masonry, pipe fitting, sheet metal, voice/data/video, chef, operating engineering and more. Check with counselors at Emily Griffith Opportunity School (www.egos-school.com/site/public/ StartPage) or area unemployment offices, or make an appointment with a career adviser to narrow your interests and widen options.
Online enrollment at DeVry University (www.choosedevry.com/landing27/default2.aspx?vc=166085) increased from 41,128 to 51,628 in November 2008, compared with 2007. Graduate student enrollment rose from 15,657 to 17,803.
Job-hunters can use the free resources at Colorado Workforce Centers (www.coworkforce.com/EMP/WFCs.asp), offering job-hunt help and access to job vacancies, training, scholarships and more for youth to senior workers.
Baby boomer-aged innovators are driving new business openings nationwide, choosing to be their own boss, offering their own services and skills. SCORE (www.score.org/index.html) advisers can provide free mentors and advice for starting, financing and managing a small business.
_Nancy Crimmins is special sections editor with the Denver Newspaper Agency’s Creative Services Department._