crew leader

forklift operator

inventory control specialist

construction laborer

construction assistant

Ricks Custom Fencing and Decking

The first day I walked through the door smelling cedar. At the time, I was still green. The scent was sweet and full. You get to smell that every day here, and it never gets old or nauseating. It's one of the many little pleasures I enjoy working here at Rick's. 
     I began my journey here from being stuck behind a cash register. To me, being chained to a space that small all day can only be for those special occupations you fully love. If you aren't absolutely enamoured with something as thrilling as asking a throng of constant persons "paper or plastic?" all day long and watching them like a river flow right past you and on out to an open ocean of living, superstores are not for you. Retail was not for me.
     Here at Rick's, there's a whole yard with fresh air to go through and work in. Crews are going out into the world to create. Every salesman is in and out to meet with people at their jobsites. Nobody is stuck in a five-by-five cage. The excitement of having so much variety in a single workday has definitely been one of my favorite parts of the job. 
     Another great bonus here is that one basically gets a free gym membership being employed at Rick's. So, if physical work is something that excites you or you want to pack on some more muscle, working here will compensate you in more ways than one.
     I consider myself more of a scholar and get fulfillment from intellectually-stimulating tasks; Not holding a lot by way of experience in construction. Though a large portion is exercise, a lot of thought goes into making things come together. This company provided me a great opportunity to learn. I increased in knowledge in things I knew only the basics of prior and understand how to build fences and decks a million times better today. I miss school: Research papers, trigonometry assignments, physics labs, exams, libraries... Yet, this has gifted me an outlet to use some of my skills I acquired there. That is, there are some problems to solve that aid in the stimulation of that itch from time to time. I have to be grateful for the fact that it's far superior than asking someone "Paper or plastic?" all day long in that regard. 
     The people are the best part of Rick's though. They work hard, but they know how to have fun through getting their work done. Sometimes things get stressful or chaotic. Sometimes tensions can flare a bit, but we're always a team that will make it all come together. When tensions do arise, I notice reconciliation is just around the corner in most cases, and we end up all getting along at the end of most every shift. You can't find that kind of comeraderie in many places.
     The managers all work with their employees to pick up slack here or there. They will take up tasks one would assume to be beneath them or dealt to new hires every now and again, demonstrating how they do not consider themselves better than their staff. They're always willing to help or instruct. Of course, they will smell the wafting of a bad egg on occasion and be prompt in being firm with them while repaying their diligent staff with respect and kindness. They are some of the best managers one could ask for. 
     As aforementioned above, I am more of a scholar, so the hardest part for me has been struggling with not enough of an academic feel here. That's why some things are scored a bit lower in my review, but it's mainly a personal thing for me while trying to be as honest as possible with my responses. To those who don't desire more reading, writing, and arithmetic, this place is amazing to work for. Even if you're like me, this place kept me feeling it was 5-stars for the first two years of employment before I started feeling like I was missing my more natural atmosphere. 
    I am telling you this because I want you to understand a few of my lower scores above. In telling you this, I want to briefly expound on this a bit too: Just because I have these feelings does not mean I either think others are less intelligent here or I deserve to be at NASA or something and nobody else here is as great. I believe everyone here is truly a genius with specialties in things I know either only in part or nothing about at all. Also, I am very appreciative of where I am because I've seen the alternatives around me, and I see how incredible I have got it here. I just have different preferences and things that make me feel more fulfilled, which I don't know that I'm getting fully here. I can't quite put my finger on it, but all I know is I miss studying and turning in homework and taking exams, and I feel like a golf ball on a basketball court a lot of times. For the time being, Rick's has been very good to me while I attempt to find my way though, and as I said before, I had plenty of learning when I started and it took years before these thoughts even arose. This difficulty is all just personal though and in no way whatsoever a negative point against the company.
     Despite my inner struggles and thinking about my personal future in a different position, I wouldn't trade the experience of working here. This has been good, and I love working with these people. It has been a pleasure throughout, and there are so many positives I can't even list out. I assume you'll love it too.
     So if you're willing to work hard, and enjoy working outdoors, then this place will be perfect for you. Come on over!

I started with the company almost 25 years ago. I was fresh out of high school with very little experience.  Many of my friends headed off to college but I felt that wasn't for me. I started working in the yard as an entry level position. We would pull materials for crews and I was taught how to drive a forklift. A few months into the job I was asked to be a helper on crew building fences. I was taught by the crew leader and crew manager how to build every style of fence possible including a lot of custom fences. Then by the following year I was running my own fence crew. I loved working outside and feeling accomplished at the end of every day. A few years into running my own fence crew I was promoted to deck crew where I followed a similar promotion path. I was again taught by a master carpenter how to build decks, covers, handrails, stairs, pergolas and a lot of other awesome custom projects. I learned to manage other crews, do take-offs, and secure building permits. After 10 years of being on crew I took a sales position and I have loved every part of it. The job is different every day and the day seems to fly by. We are helping customers with outdoor living projects. A lot of the projects we sell are an extension of their living space. It is seasonal so I put more time in during the summer months but get extra time off during the winter. This is an extremely rewarding job if you are willing to work hard.

Company has a “boy’s club” vibe, which is still somewhat typical in the construction industry. A few times the line of harassment was crossed, and I spoke out immediately. The person(s) apologized, and I was able to move past it. There are a few unique perks like monthly birthday/anniversary treats, staff parties & events. The store is closed Sunday’s. The benefits package could really use input from employees. For the back-breaking work some employees are faced with, they’re not compensated as well as they could be. That said, if you’re a good employee and quick-learner, you can move up the ranks quickly and make good money (on crew or as a Salesperson.) Unconventional pay structure for crew & sales staff; a few love it and others loathe it. 
Still has some antiquated equipment, but all of their locations have been aesthetically updated. Crew and PMs were fun and knowledgeable. Management could be difficult to communicate with. Fun to see the projects being drawn, and then see the results from the crews’ efforts. 

An all around great place to work as long as you work hard, slackers dont last long. The work isnt very difficult  but can be physically demanding. Management are there to help you succeed and are willing to work with you if you have a problem(they are good people). Its highly discouraged to request time off throughout summer(its our busy season) so this isnt the job for you if you plan on taking a 2 month vacation in the middle of summer, However we do close for a little over a week during christmas so that's nice. As a yard worker or ICS you are expected to work outside in the rain, snow, and summer heat. The starting pay is decent and there are opportunities for raises. All in all this is a good company and I would highly recommend it to anyone willing to put in hard work and doesnt mind getting their hands dirty.

As a fence installation manager, it is my job to make sure the fence crews are installing projects properly.  In order for me to perform my job, I rely on others to do their jobs.  Our yard manager makes sure material is in the yard and available for install; our fabrication manager makes sure custom materials are accurate per job; our sales crew makes sure we have the information we need to accurately review the jobs prior to install; and the store manager pulls all of it together so we work as a team.  I wouldn't be able to do my job without the support of my fellow managers and coworkers.  The work is demanding, but the pay is incredibly competitive - if not above industry standard.  Pay structure for installers is commission based, so the only thing standing between an employee and a higher pay rate is efficient use of time and material.

A typical day of work consist of making sure employees have what they need for the day.
In 30yrs of experience I have learned a wide variety of things and from time to time I still
learn something new.
I probably have around 15yrs in management which has been a great learning process, 
anywhere from hiring, scheduling to do lists, ordering in material, etc.
Probably the hardest part of the job is not having an item for the day its needed than
trying to figure out how I'm going to get it.
What I like about Rick's is the possible opportunity in different positions with the company.
I really like the day to day challenges which makes me feel good once I conquer them.

Started working at Rick's several years ago.  Everything is about the money for Rick.  After taking his money, sales commission and material costs, the crew gets what is left whether it takes you 2 hours or 12.  Excess material is charged to you.  You even have to buy your own company mandated clothing (t-shirt, polo or sweatshirt) and they don't come cheap!  Management could not give a rat's booty about their employees.  "Benefits" are what you pay for with the company providing nothing to offset cost.  Changed my job and pay without telling me that they were taking money from me.  Charged me for my initial drug test.  Steer well clear of this place!

Once you’ve learned the “Ricks way” it then becomes sharpening your tools (or perfecting your craft!) Ive learned that working for Ricks you’re working with a team, we all help each other! If your store is slow with work call another store and go help out! The company promotes from within so even if you start at the bottom you can one day be at the top! I wouldn’t say our job is hard, it’s physical yes but, it’s also mental. The best part of the job for me is never being in one place for too long, getting to meet several new people a month, and the pride I take when I see a customer smile during my victory walk (end of job!)

In the 6 years that I have been with Ricks I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.  Ricks gives you every opportunity to prove yourself and advance in the company.  I have seen guys start as helpers in the lumber yard and work their way in to management positions. Pay for the fence and deck builders is higher than anyone else in the area, and the potential pay for sales/estimators is also extremely generous if you execute your job well. I would recommend Ricks as a career to anyone who is willing to work hard and take pride in their job.

A typical day at work starts with checking out and loading crews so they can get to the job site. After that I continue the day by pulling crew loads for upcoming jobs. I also pull stock to ship to other stores. I complete paper work for purchase orders as well as entering crew hours into our time system. 

I have learned while working at Ricks to frame and built decks and fences. 

The managers are good and helpful. 
The culture is all men currently work there. But can be inclusive. 
The hardest part of the job is the long hours, but conversely having 3 days off is nice.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Crew leader 6 salaries reported	$27.83 per hour
Forklift operator 6 salaries reported	$17.58 per hour
Inventory control specialist 7 salaries reported	$19.43 per hour
Construction laborer 6 salaries reported	$28.00 per hour
Construction assistant 5 salaries reported	$18.60 per hour

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