Replies

1. 
   G80104 | May 21, 2003 05:49am | #1

   Bj,

         I know a bunch of 50+ ex carpenters. They run Handyman Services turn down work & make $60K -$80K a year. Some do Home inspectioins. Still tons of work out there, most young guys just dont know how to find it! People who just bought the house down the street paid an older handyman  $ 150. 00 to change out some lockset on the new used house they bought. Frist 2 guys  did the no show! Maybe 2hrs labor they supplied the locksets.

1. 
   xMikeSmith | May 21, 2003 06:07am | #2

   bj.. i'm 58... my buddy is 59.. and another one is 60... we're all still pluggin...

   once you  recover from your rotator cuff, think about remodeling.. put your skills and knowledge to work instead of your backMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   darrel | May 21, 2003 06:26am | #3

   Cash in that disability insurance and get a hammock.

2. 
   bjr | May 21, 2003 07:33am | #5

   great idea, thanks. how do they advertize or do they?

1. 
   JohnSprung | May 21, 2003 09:00pm | #9

   My BIL does that.  He started out by word of mouth, stayed with word of mouth, and gets loads more work than he can handle.

   -- J.S.

3. 
   bjr | May 21, 2003 07:49am | #6

   what part of the country do you reside in ?

1. 
   G80104 | May 21, 2003 03:40pm | #7

        Bj,  

                   A-lot of the guys place ads in the small papers. One guy who comes to mind runs an ad like " My wife calls me  Mr. Fix-It, You can Call me too, Ph.# 303-123-4567"   We live outside the Denver area. The Handymen  due light work such as Storm doors  fix decks, small concrete repairs etc. I know of one company that does work in one of the areas largest gated community, This guy bills out @ $70. per hr. He has 4-5 employees all of his service trucks seem to be late model trucks. (not bad fo a guy that installs Christmas Light for Rich lazy homeowners)

2. 
   Piffin | May 21, 2003 06:48am | #4

   Where do old carpenters go?

   To Breaktime.

   To drafting and design work.

   To Sunny Florida

   To the drug store

   to Pilates classes

   It sounds like your rotator cuf is pretty serious, Have you made your funeral plans yet?

   ;)

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/20/2003 11:50:15 PM ET by piffin

3. 
   dustmonkee | May 21, 2003 07:51pm | #8

   Habitat for Humanity - they'd love a guy like you.  But be patient, working with volunteers is unlike what you're used to.  Sorry about the cuff.

   regards

1. 
   bjr | May 22, 2003 05:24am | #13

   hey, great idea. i used to be a social worker years ago and combining the two is a great idea. thanks

1. 
   dustmonkee | May 22, 2003 03:30pm | #16

   You're exactly right - I'm a social worker and have been a crew leader with HFH for 10 years.  It's a good mix.  Now, with that bad cuff, you'd never be able to write all those progress notes as a social worker!

   Good luck with the pitching arm

   regards

4. 
   JeffBuck | May 22, 2003 12:53am | #10

   get yourself a young kid to boss around....teach him something every now and then....charge enough to pay both of ya well...he'll probably stick around.

   I think the whole reason my Dad had children was because he got tired of lifting the heavy stuff.....I'm positive him never wanted to do drywall again factored in too....

   But at your advanced age....you're probably best hiring a kid instead of making your own and waiting till he's ready......

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   xMikeSmith | May 22, 2003 01:01am | #11

   speaking of which, when does Corey get his tool belt ?Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

5. 
   alias | May 22, 2003 04:12am | #12

   hey b.j. 48 to young to retire chin up do some re-hab, i went threw my second back operation last year. and i'm back to work and trying to work smart. and so- far it's working out. one more thing what are the symptoms of a torn rotor cuff and all the pains i would really appreciate it. the shoulder flares up lately and i'm wondering....... thanks and a sincere good luck....bear

1. 
   bjr | May 22, 2003 05:53am | #14

   #1. go to the google search engine

   #2. type in "has anybody heard of a labral tear?"

   #3.hit the search and wait for this web forum for people that are in various stages of shoulder pain. from "i've got this pain in my shoulder" to 12 weeks post operative. this site has been really a resource and inspiration for me in my recovery. i just wish i would have found it a month before my surgery.  my doctor says that the risk factor for shoulder injuries of this type are being a male in america over forty. but from this web site you'll see it's not just men that get this. if you have shoulder pain, and have been in the trades for a significant portion of your life, there is a good chance there has been some damage of some sort. i would get a good orthopedic surgeon. they will want to start you off on a conservative approach first, i.e. antiinflamitories, physical therapy come back in a month sort of a thing, maybe some x-rays too. if your pain is considerable and disruptive to your fishing or other enjoyment of life and you have the insurance and or resources to get an MRI do it right off the bat. and make sure to have them use the dye. this will tell you definetly if there is any damage and if surgery is indicated. i went the conservative route and ultimatley did more damage because i thought i was healed after the pain was masked by the antiinflamitories.  now i'm 12 weeks post op and am looking down the barrel of 8-10 months of painful recovery. let me repeat that........painful. i wish i would have had more onfo earlier on. good luck and don't put it off for so long, it will only get worse.

1. 
   Rarebreed | May 22, 2003 01:19pm | #15

   bj,

    Situation was a little different, but it might still help you.

    Work got a little slow a few years ago for us. I had to stay busy, so the wife runs an ad in the local paper. Titled it Rent A Carpenter. Listed some of what we did. Consultations, Install Locksets, Hang doors, etc...

    I was charging $50.00/hr for me and a helper. Stayed covered up until some of the bigger projects I had in the works came through.

    Noticed about six months later someone else was advertising same basic services, similar title. He has two or three trucks running around town now, and always seems busy.TCW Specialists in Custom Remodeling.