Builder from Mogilev tells how much he earns and why he no longer wants to work in Russia

Illustrative photo: LookByMedia

How much can one earn in construction?

Andrei from Mogilev is 40 years old, and he has spent almost half of them in construction.

Over two decades, Andrei has developed his own system for settling accounts with clients. The main rule is no work on credit until the victorious end.

— I work according to a strict payment schedule. We agree on a price, and at the end of each week, I collect money for the completed volume of work. It's bad when you've done a huge piece of work, and they still owe you a lot of money. So, if you've done work worth, say, 1000 dollars — you take that sum and sleep soundly.

Andrei does not hide the numbers. Incomes in construction are seasonal, but with due diligence, they are quite decent for the region.

In spring, the Mogilev resident worked with a partner on a site in the Mogilev district. The schedule was tight: from nine in the morning until seven in the evening. Over 35 working days, each received about 8000 rubles. In summer, they did cosmetic repairs of an office. They finished quickly. Over one and a half weeks, the net earnings amounted to 2000 rubles.

"I aim to earn from 150 rubles a day in winter and from 200 in summer"

— I know that in Minsk, guys can earn 6-7 thousand rubles a month. I aim to earn from 150 rubles a day in winter and from 200 in summer. For a builder in Mogilev, this is adequate money. In winter, the rate always drops a bit, because there are fewer orders and competition is higher.

The most profitable work in construction is facades. Here Andrei highlights two factors: large volume and decent rates.

— For a square meter of facade, they currently pay 40-50 rubles, but if the object is complex, you can agree on 80-100. Although I remember times two years ago when we worked for 15-20 rubles.

Experience in Rublyovka: Fireplaces at the Price of an Apartment

In Andrei's biography, there was a period of Moscow earnings. More than 15 years ago, he went to the legendary Rublyovka.

— We worked hard on the roof for a month, installing the rafter system. I didn't earn much back then, a little over 1000 dollars.

Later there was work with elite Italian marble: installation of floors, fireplaces, and bathtubs. This was the highest level of craftsmanship, where a mistake cost insane money.

— A fireplace could consist of seven elements that had to be glued with filigree precision. The work was not accepted by the owner, but by a company representative or designer. He literally ran his finger along the seams: if the seam was not perfectly "blended" to match the stone's tone or if even the slightest bump was felt — rework it.

It was especially terrifying to approach marble bathtubs.

— A set of stone then cost over 30,000 dollars. All slabs were cut from a single rock. If you made a millimeter mistake and the pattern didn't match — that's it, the unique natural pattern was lost. This was an enormous responsibility.

Why He is No Longer Drawn to Russia

Despite his work experience in the Moscow region, today Andrei prefers to work at home. The main reason is the risk of being left with empty pockets.

— I don't want to go to Russia now. You can earn money here too, but there are too many intermediaries and "shady" firms there. Money blinds people. Often the object owner pays honestly, but the money reaches the worker through three layers of intermediaries. And everyone wants to take a piece.

They can easily tell you: "You messed up here," — and simply not pay the rest. That's how we worked in the Moscow region: they paid the main part, but the "tail" of 1000 dollars remained unpaid. We never saw that money again. For you to be paid properly in such structures, you need to be able to suck up, to flatter. But I don't have that kind of character.

Andrei admits that he feels most comfortable working with ordinary people.

— Among those who have recently become rich, this attitude often pops up: "Who are you, and who am I?". They look down on you. With simple clients, it's easier; human relations come first there.

The Mogilev resident looks at the construction market soberly, without illusions, but also does not plan to change professions.

— As long as you have health and a tool in your hands — you have money. This is not a job for delicate people; here you have to bend your back and breathe in dust. But at least I am my own boss. I don't have to wait for an advance from the factory or beg the boss for a bonus. Completed an object — received payment.

To the question of what he would advise young guys who are just coming into construction, Andrei answers briefly:

— The main thing is reputation. Our city is small, and the construction world is even smaller. Mess up once and you'll disappear from the radar. But if you work conscientiously, then no advertising is needed; "word of mouth" works better than any ads. Money comes and goes, but skill remains.

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