My first 5000 square foot solo job felt like a fluke, not a win

Everyone in here talks about hitting big square footage numbers like it's the only mark of a real installer. I just finished a 5000 square foot basement in a new build over in Cedar Rapids, and honestly, it left me feeling kind of empty. The money was good, sure, but it was just me, a lift, and a mountain of board for three straight weeks. I missed the back-and-forth of a two-man crew, the jokes to break up the day. The homeowner came down once, said 'looks great,' and that was it. No real connection, just a check. I think we put too much weight on these solo milestones and forget that this trade was built on crews working together. Has anyone else finished a big solo project and felt more lonely than proud?

4 comments

4 Comments

ruby_bell473mo ago

You're talking about missing the crew, but that solo control is the real win.

jessica3313mo ago

Totally get the appeal of flying solo.

jamiesullivan3mo ago

Yeah, flying solo really does have its own kind of magic. I read this article about how doing things alone lets you move at your own speed without any group compromise. It made me see what ruby_bell47 is saying about that solo control being the real win. You're not waiting on anyone or fitting into someone else's plan. That freedom to just decide on a whim is a huge part of the appeal for me. It turns a normal trip into something that feels truly your own.

samreed23d ago

its funny you mention the whole "move at your own speed" thing because that's actually the part i struggled with at first. in my experience, being alone with your own thoughts for too long can get a little heavy. you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off of or to pull you out of a weird mood. but i found that's kind of the point after a while. you learn to sit with the quiet, and that's where you end up having the most unexpected conversations with locals or stumble into a random spot you never would have found with a group. there's a rawness to it that group trips just don't have, for better or worse. your mileage may vary, but for me the solo part is less about control and more about the weird little moments that only happen when you're fully on your own.