Picking back up–after a few months off here–with the analysis of only self-reported “full-time” builders. I will basically follow the same question ordering and structure below as I did in my earlier “livelihood” posts for the full sample, to make for an easier comparison.
That said, I should repeat my same warning about making comparisons with the results from the full sample of all builders: please keep in mind that the “all builders” analyses I began with also include the full-timers as well! If you pull up the “all builders” figures and compare them to the “full-time builders” figures, you are not looking at a comparison of two distinct (mutually exclusive) groups – you are looking, in essence, at the average for “all people selling handmade bikes in the U.S.” compared with those doing it “full time”.
At some point I should also replicate these analyses for part-time builders – at which point we could make a true comparison of the PT vs. FT groups.
Until then, though, I think it is still interesting and useful to think about the position of full-time builders as their own distinct category….and that is what you see below!
What kinds of production model are full-timers using?
In a typical recent year, how much of your work time has been dedicated to the following activities?
While the typical full-time builder is mainly doing work under their own brand, it seems notable that ~28% of full-time builders are doing occasional or mainly contract building. Likewise, ~50% of full-time builders are doing some amount of other fabrication work.
Have you considered a stock size/model or batch-built production model?
- “Already doing this”: 22%
- “Currently considering for the future”: 22%
- “Have tried this and no longer doing it”: 17%
- “Not interested/Have considered it but chosen not to pursue it”: 35%
What is your current wait time, roughly from order to delivery?
- Mean: 7 months
- Median: 5 months
- Mode: 2 months
So, what about the business position and more direct life and livelihood position of builders?
Do you own/mortgage or rent your housing?
- Own: 86%
- Rent: 14%
Do you own/mortgage or rent your shop space?
- Own: 54%
- Rent: 46%
Where is your shop space located?
- Same premises as residence: 57%
- Separate premises: 43%
Of those who own their shop, 94% of them are located on their same premises, meaning only 6% own a separate shop space.
Of those renting their shop space, 88% of them are located away from their residence, with 12% renting shop space located at their residence.
How do you currently access health insurance?
- Purchase individually: 62%
- Purchase through partner: 31%
- No insurance: 7%
Do you formally save for retirement from your framebuilding income?
- Yes: 33% (meaning, yes, 67% of full-time builders are not saving for retirement)
Handbuilding Value 