after reading the answers so far I'm wondering how all these companies that employ 7-8 people stay in bussiness.
" no one will ever take as much care as you" yes they will, all it takes is documented quality control get them to leave a questioniare with the customer asking how they performed. if the employee knows there work is being checked they will keep up the standard.
who says they won't respect your equipment, I've worked for lots of companies and i never abused their equipment, i don't think you can tar everyone with the same brush. there's lot of good people out their, you just need to find them.
I know this is a Guru cow dung
but with your attitudes you only ever own your job not a salable bussiness.
Mike