Anyone worked in another country that they don't live in

**Joepro0000** · 10-29-2009, 05:34 PM

I got invited to bid on a small tenant buildout in Puerto Rico, but don't think I'll bid it.

Anyone ever left to go work in another country like that, or Bahamas, or Canada?

**MarkMc** · 10-29-2009, 06:15 PM

PR is not exactly another country. But on that point, I did work in Arkansas once.

**frenchie** · 10-29-2009, 07:01 PM

I work 3 months of the year in Italy, last two summers, probably doing it again next summer. What's your question, Joe?

If you're really not gonna bid on it - I'm suddenly less happy to be swamped this winter. Otherwise I'd be asking you for the details... Winter in Puerto Rico? Sweet.

**Dancing Dan** · 10-29-2009, 07:14 PM

I lived in Puerto Rico for 9 months many years ago - a beautiful place. You should do it, Joe. Just don't pull the "another country" crap - won't make many friends.

**Overbuilders** · 10-29-2009, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by MarkMc

But on that point, I did work in Arkansas once.

Boulder, CO. Same difference, other spectrum.

**MarkMc** · 10-29-2009, 08:28 PM

Must explain the need for them to wear those expensive spectrum altering glasses. Must be the granola.

**kawendtco** · 10-29-2009, 08:35 PM

i just this evening spoke to a contractor friend of mine that is talking about going over to iraq to work on a huge concrete pour. they are offering him 12000 a month tax free. it would be a two month job. it is in a semi protected area--whatever that means. if i didnt have kids and a wife i would probably consider doing this. i have talked with several officers here at fort leavenworth and there is a tremendous amount of money out there for a construction background if you want to go.

**Joepro0000** · 10-29-2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by frenchie

I work 3 months of the year in Italy, last two summers, probably doing it again next summer. What's your question, Joe?

If you're really not gonna bid on it - I'm suddenly less happy to be swamped this winter. Otherwise I'd be asking you for the details... Winter in Puerto Rico? Sweet.

What parts of Italy, and what type of work you been doing there?

**frenchie** · 10-29-2009, 09:49 PM

Tuscany - about 30 minutes south of Siena.

Friends / ex-employers / 'surrogate family' of my wife's, own a house there. They live there off-season, rent it out during tourist season... My wife cooks & does most of the cleaning; I help her with those, but mostly look after the pool & the garden & fix anything that breaks.

**dave_k** · 10-30-2009, 03:01 AM

i don't leave the country, I don't work on jobs that don't allow me to at least come home for the weekend, but I work with a lot of people who do. A couple of local shops do a lot of millwork jobs in the Caribbean so guys are working down in the Bahamas, St. Lucia and Bermuda.

Typically you have to get a temporary work permit before entering the country. The money you earn is tax free but you pay income tax bringing it into the country. Talk to an accountant before you take on the job and figure out how to get the money back home paying the least amount of tax. One friend of mine worked in Bermuda half the year for 5 years. He has the money he earned in an offshore bank account and after paying off his house in one big whack has been bring the money home in dribs and drabs. He hasn't worked there in 5 years but is still bringing money in.

Find out what you are going to need on the job and what's available locally like screws and tools. What guys do is ship tools down in the container with the millwork and figure that the power tools are only making a one way trip. You take your hand tools down there on the plane but guys tend to leave power tools on the islands. The salt and humidity ruins them fast so it's not worth the cost of shipping them home. One guy I know who works as a retail super all over the USA brings a small veto bag with his layout tools and buys a tool kit and cordless for each job then gives them away at the end. It buys him a lot of goodwill if he comes back to town.

The quality of fasteners may be limited and it may not be as simple as running to your hardware store if you need something. Also bring your favorite toothpaste, toilet paper, medication. Get travel and health insurance. See your doctor about risk of disease, vaccinations etc. You may run into some new and exotic STD's so be prepared and figure out how you're going to explain it to your wife before you leave.

For estimating purposes do your homework re. costs and availability. Check out labor laws. You may find you are required to hire locals and they don't have the same productivity and work ethic you are accustomed to.

**jackleg** · 10-30-2009, 06:55 AM

si senor,...... u.s.a!!!!!!!!!!

**Stilts** · 10-31-2009, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Overbuilders

Boulder, CO. Same difference, other spectrum.

This man speaks a whole lot of truth.

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