Dan - you and I are on exactly the same page. I am ready to take a financial hit, right now, if it meansthat I can start with one guy who is capable of running a crew.
To me, that means a salary - talking with lawyer about how to make that happen.
That also means medical and dental - I'm on board with that, too.
Investments, 401K? One step at a time....
But I have grown this company to as large as it can possibly be, with me having the sole leadership position. Heck, last year I had more trucks than I did guys - I've dumped far more into the biz than most reasonable people would do, given the company size: 6 brick saws, 3 compactors (1 large one to be added shortly), 7 wheelbarrows, hand tools up the wazoo, sod cutter, bed edger, rototiller, 2 lasers...only one skidsteer
.... I have everything I need to run 2+ crews, except the people.
But to the first question I had - how much is a reasonable amount to spend, on an annual basis, on benefits for an employee? $2K? $5K? I'm willing and able @ $2K, able and a bit less willing @ $5K, but I don't have a good sense if what a
reasonable amount is.