hi i am seeking some advice some background first i am 68 years old still working in automotive repair industry for 45 years when i was younger i learned masonry skills now i have a desire to get back in home building probable as a contractor am i crazy or not brutal honesty is ok thank you
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It's a different, more regulated world than when you last worked in it.
Yea i know its that way in all industries or occupations thank you for answer guess I just don't want to stop working and always think about what I truly loved made good living as mechanic / body-mind and painter
I understand completely. Two years ago, at 57, I left a cushy desk job to go back to work in the trades.
If you have the resources, you can buy a home, fix it up to flip it, and see how it goes.
That's a great point.
Good idea! Flipping will let you check things out without a lot of risk.
If your masonry skills are good and you catch up on the best materials available these days there should be work for you. Maybe it will take some time to get a name in your area, but skilled work and honest, fair prices go a long way. Sounds like your work ethic is great.
You might check out this article (and dig into the report and survey linked in the article): https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/business/physical-worker-retiring.html
https://transamericacenter.org/docs/default-source/global-survey-2018/tcrs2019_sr_physical-workers-retirement.pdf
My thought is what do you think a "contractor" does? the house flipping idea is a good one as you'd have to oversee multiple subs doing the work needed. If you want to do work yourself (masonry), you're really a mason more than a contractor. hopefully I'm not offending anyone but I think you have to "define" what you want to do. I'm "retired" but I work pretty much everyday on my rental properties or for family. My skillset is varied so I can do pretty much everything I need to and I'm a registered contractor (meaning insurance and some education) in my home state. When I need a plumber or electrician, I have licensed guys to pull the permits and do the work. I act as "the go-fer" so it helps w/the costs and I learn more about that trade. all in all, keeps me busy and out of "trouble"
good luck