Hello,
I’m new to this forum and was hoping to get some feedback. I’ve discovered over the years that I enjoy working with my hands and would like to pursue a career in the trades. I’m self taught with no formal training but have a great curiosity and am a quick study. I’ve owned and renovated six houses and have done a variety of work to include framing, sheetrock, plumbing and minor electrical. I’ve built decks, fences, replaced existing doors with new french doors, done quite a bit of ceramic tile (floors and counters). I have my own tools and a truck. I currently work at a desk bound job in the cell phone industry that I would leave tomorrow if I could find the right opportunity. Also, I’m 49 years old, the kids are grown, so I live with my wife of 16 years. Ideally, I would like to work for a remodeler and learn as much as possible about all aspects of that job.
Any thoughts. Thank you in advance.
Steve
Replies
Welcome,
To this forum, and to the trades. We need more good people. Thje fact that you know about this place is a feather in your cap already. Stick around.
Now, does your sixteen year old wife know that you like to walk on the edge?
;)
Whaer are you located, more or less?
Excellence is its own reward!
I tsounds like you've gotten a good start already with some of your projects. Finding a good remodeler to work for ,IMO, is the way to go. Its the way I learned the trade. If you are at all interested in eventually runnng your own business, find one that will let you pick his brain on operating a business as well as learning a trade. Just remember, you'll probably go home with sore muscles (at the least) for awhile, since you'll probably be starting as a helper.
Good Luck and have fun ( ya gotta be happy in your work!)
I would urge you to take some business courses as well.
Ok.........You're 49 years old............why waste (at this age) your time working for someone else at a probably low range hourly rate.
Sounds like you know enough........got the tools.........got the truck...........
go get some business cards..........and get going......on your own...........do what you know..........and expand from there............you can even keep your day job till you gain some confidence in yourself.
you don't sound like such a novice to me. I suggest you isolate a few of your favorite skills -- and pursue a few paying jobs that will give you more confidence. you'll run into peripheral demands that panic and perseverence will force your horizons to broaden. everything out there can be learned by an eager student. and don't forget to read, read, read.
some people may not agree with me, but I still like to watch Norm. I still glean tips and tricks from some of the old episodes that I may not have understood or been able to relate to in my rookie years.
Welcome to the forum!
I agree with a few of the previous posters. Do what you already know. I just finished a big addition for a guy about your age who started his own "Handyman Services" type business after years of working as a social worker. This guy will do pretty much anything from hanging curtain rods to swapping out doors. All word of mouth referals and he is as busy as he wants to be. Told me he charges a flat $50/hr plus cost of materials and has never had a problem getting paid and it's pretty low-risk way of running a construction type business. Not a bad living. His wife has Lupus and needs a little more of his time/attention than normal. He has no problem finding the time to take care of her and working a full schedule as he works when and where he wants.
Keep your job for awhile. Get some business cards made up and put the word out. Register with your state if necessary. Work afternoons, evening and/or weekends 'till you seem busy enough to go it alone. Then quit your boring old job!
I'll tell you, this guy's career choice really opened my eyes. I could see myself settling into a semi-retirement with a similar career path in another 20 years or so. Looks good to me!
hi steve, go for it start part time ,small ad in paper, handy man service, mr. Fixit whatever, painting,patching tile repair sm jobs to begin. dont be afraid you sound like you know enough to get started. I was a cook for 8 yrs , put a sm ad in the paper, my first job paid me twice in 5 easy days building a sm deck what i made in 40 hard hot greesy hours. and never went back. Now 18 years later working for a lot of people , done a lot of jobs, some bad ,some hard, some real dirty, but some great jobs too. and for some wonderful people too. now i pick and choose what i will do. I do a few bathrooms about 7 a year 3 to 5 week jobs I take my time and do it as right as i can / tile, cabinetry,paint, doors and windows, small additions . taking the next two weeks off xmas and new years just because i can . im going to work on my new bathroom up stairs . I love tools and I get paid to do what I always did for my hobbie . its great when you love what you do for your living . watch carpenters watch T.V. home shows and read about tools and how to books but you sound like you've been doing that already. good luck and dont giv up!
Dogboy
If you do decide to go into business for yourself right away, be sure to find out what insurance and liscencing requirements are for your area. You may not like having to pay for them, but its worth it.
Does your wife work. Can you get on her health insurance? Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
You have made a good decision to be self employed. I started my handyman business part-time until it got busy enough to quit my job and do it full time. The two hardest things for me when I started was my age (I was only 22 but looked 18) and learning how to estimate (there is no formula for this, only experience). Now 14 years later I have gone from one man handy man service to a renovation company, employing 4 full time staff and working on multi-million dollar homes.
Two tricks I have learned have been to make quality work win out over high profit margins and secondly because of item #1 you will have many referred customers and still make a decent living.
Enjoy your self and remember that a bad day on a construction site is still better then a good day in the office.
Let me thank all of you that replied to me. This is the kick in the rear that I need to make this happen. I'll keep you posted.
If you pay me $15 an hour you can come to work for me!
My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I thought it was $10 per hour for the first week, ah thats right COLA, is coming up real quick, what 14 more days?? Note to haslet, good luck on whatever you decide. Jim J
I am late, but where do you live and are you still looking? I am in Pasadena, CA. have a remodelling busines and haven't missed a days work since 1978 when I started out.
haslet
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LocationSeattle
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Age49
I'm in Seattle and yes I am still looking. Remodeling since 1978! I'm jealous! I'm having trouble taking time away from everything else to concentrate on making this happen.
seattle huh? Wow that's a long commute! Hope all is well, if you want to send resume I'll be glad to look at it, providing of course that you are interested in working in the Promised land, and learning Spanish. Sort of a joke, but really it is very helpful. Dan