Replies

1. 
   Steverno | Apr 13, 1999 11:23pm | #1

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   thanks for all that are responding.
   God Bless

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 03:30am | #2

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   Take a leave of absence for a month or so, try it out. Find a contractor, tell him what you want to do. Or if you can't do that - work 4 days at your desk and find someone willing to take you on a couple days a week. I have hired guys this way before and will gladly do it again when I meet the right guy, it gives each of you a chance to check each other out.

   Find the poem by Langston Hughes and read it "A Dream Deffered". If you want to try something, you better have at it, this is not a practice life.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 06:31am | #3

   *Go for it. Be prepared to take a big financial hit. There is a learnig curve that cannot be ignored. Eliminate all your loans before you start.Blue

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 06:33am | #4

   *Steverno. Young Bob has a good idea. I am fortunate to only work 3 to 4 days per week by choice and be able to play at building the other 3 or 4. I keep close track of costs and read with great interest the posts on this board. My conclusion: it is hard, high overhead, rewarding work. My brother in law made a good living as a union carpenter, until carpal tunnel did him in at 59. He built concrete forms for a large commercial enterprise, and sometimes told of installing counter tops in park restrooms while lying on cold concrete. I love the finish work, but I can see that the money would be in framing because you can booger it. As you get older, which I am, the enthusiasm may be there, but the body will tell you to take it easy. I have not built 1/2 a billion like Gabe, but I am probably close to a million - and I own it. If you are good, find a small home that is below market, buy it, fix it up on a budget (your real customers are going to have one ), and sell it or rent it. If it works, you are capable of making a living. If it doesn't, sell it, take the loss and give 1/2 of the loss to Uncle Sam. What are relatives for anyhow?My experience, well I think I am good, but I learn a great deal by lurking here. I am fast, and I can afford the best tradesman's tools and am smart enough to buy only what I need. But, I am glad I don't have to make a cashflow living in construction. Blue counts nails, so I suspect he makes a good living. The guys he works for, sit behind a desk and have family pictures taken in front of large, expensive fireplaces. Dennis

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 08:15am | #5

   *Steverno, In my humble opinion, you're probably way ahead of many experienced carpenters if you've been learning how to run a profitable business for ten years. A common mistake made by many tradespeople is thinking that just because they know how to do the work that they will be able to run their own business, when in fact the two are entirely different skills. If you can hire a thoroughly competent, all-around skilled carpenter, and you spend about 1/4 of your time working on the financial and marketing end of the business instead of hands-on, you'll probably do what almost none of us were able to do... make a profit right from day one! I heard it said once that the hairdresser should run the construction company and the carpenter should run the salon (Micheal Gerber: The E-Myth Seminar). Good luck!Ross

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 14, 1999 09:20pm | #6

   *Since you are already a businessman and have expressed a real concern for your family maybe the question you need to answer is: "What can I do to get the maximum rate of return on my labor and talent investment?"It is something like making the decision on where to invest your money. Put it where it will get the maximum return(income). The answer for multi-talented folks(like you) will change over time. Sometimes it will be earning a living with the "head", sometimes with the "hands".Whichever is the current answer you can still get your jollies on the other by doing extracurricular work/hobby.In case you haven't seen it there was a very similiar post in the "Business" section a short time ago that you might want to review.Good luck.

3. 
   Eric_Knowlton | Apr 17, 1999 03:03am | #7

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   Fred,

   I think you have the right answer... I have a bit of college education, and have earned a reasonable living in various professional fields (I am 29 years old, btw). However, I cannot stop the draw to my roots. My family has been building homes and custom cabinetry for generations, as far as I can tell, dating back to pre-Revolutionary war days in Quebec... Right now I am playing out the same experiment: I am helping my father in his cabinet shop (I'm his buyer, researcher, and finish guy), and I am also diving into this great low % interest market for home sellers - The way I look at it, I live in a new home every couple of years, sell, make a hell of a profit, and get off scot free on the capital gains tax! God Bless America! With our pooled resources, we can have quite a nice run (dad+my brothers, and I).

   There's just something about a newly framed house, sans drywall and siding...

   Good luck - pursue your dream, at least to some level... Eric of Alaska

4. 
   Steverno | Apr 17, 1999 05:44am | #8

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   I'm 30 years old and have been thinking for ten years to pursue carpentry for a living or not? So all you breaktime junkies. Help me. Should I or should I not. The thing that has held me up is my family and providing for them. I feel now I could make the step based on my experience and sitting behind a desk for 10 years learning how to manage a profitable company. I feel I'am a pretty good finish carpenter and have a strong attention to detail.
   Help!
   Respectfully
   Steve

5. 
   Guest_ | Apr 17, 1999 05:44am | #9

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   There are several good suggestions already mentioned. You might also be sure your marriage is strong. this business will test it. One last thought. Hope ypu enjoy roller coasters 'cause it's one hell of a ride!