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I am new to breaktime so please bear with me. I am in the military and have 3 years left. I have a fairly broad construction background from working before I joined the service and have did numerous home improvement projects for myself and others. I would like any advice and/or comments as what I can do now to prepare myself to reenter the construction trades and eventually become a general contractor. (i.e. books, courses, junior college, put a gun to my head?) Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks MB
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I'd recomend college. Most states have good two year programs. Courses like small business management, drafting, Cad, building construction, and design will serve you well in the long run, particularly if you work for yourself. Combine education with real world experience and you should do well. Working and going to school is a real grind (I'm doing it at present)but in the long run I believe it will pay off. Good Luck!
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I'd start by searching out a builder in your area who exemplifies what you want to be.
Things to think about:
New construction or Remodeling / repair
Large volume or Small volume
Hands-on or Suit and tie (there are good ones of each)
By trying out the business you'll have a better understanding of what you like and don't like and see where you need to focus your "formal education." Before diving into college only to find out once you're out you don't like your direction - try a little exploration.
You may try working for 2 or 3 companies before finding what you like. Construction offers many diverse opportunities. Just look at all the guys who make it a career reading and contributing here on Breaktime.
You may start out pushing a broom but you can often learn more on the ground floor than looking in from the window. I started out doing something like that and became a partner with the owner a few years later.
In the meantime, Read FHB, and check out the Journal of Light Construction. There are loads of good books and these magazines often review new ones. Check out some of the 'builders' conferences too. A long weekend attending focused seminars can be insiteful.
Check out local lumber yards to see if they are sponsering any free workshops for builders on business strategies or techniques. They happen all the time but aren't well publicized.
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MB, I'd agree with Mike G's advice .....he's where I hope to be someday. 'Been knockin' about the trades for 20+ years .....finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. A good deal of it is finding what you don't like to do. Yet I've found that the experience is useful because all the trades are connected .....that experience doesn't make me a plumber or a mason but that knowledge is very valuable. Many are sucessful without school but for me it has filled many gaps in my knowledge and has helped me to find my weaknesses (I have more than a few) and to some degree, remedy them. Courses like small business management and public speaking have really helped. ...Not there yet but working on it ......
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MB,The answer to your problem will be much easier if you approach it from the right direction.If you start with the end result in mind,all the steps you need to achieve before the end result will slowly become obvious to you.
Since you have at least 3 years to serve before you can set up shop I would suggest-----
1)Save your money,you are gonna need a nest egg.The bigger the better
2)Learn everything you can about money,business,personal finance etc.School can help,but it is not absolutely needed.Almost every thing you need to know you can learn from books (free at your better libraries)
3)See if you can get a part time job now while you are still in the service.It can't hurt to start making contacts
4)Save more money
5)Take a look at contractors in your area you would like to emulate.Make a list of everything you will need to have or achieve to model yourself after your "target contractor"Start with the end result in mind and slowly work your way back to the present
Good Luck,Stephen
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MB, What a surprise...I'm doing the same thing.
With less than 2 years left in the military myself.
I have been doing small jobs for friends and co-workers now for about 3 years.
I too worked construction for about 6 years before I joined the military. I was very lucky though, the last guy I worked with was probably the smartest guy I know. He taught me the business side of it.
I agree 100% with jcallahan, go to college. I plan on getting a Construction Management degree.
BTW I started a small construction company on my own about a year ago, first to keep myself legal and also to keep up with trade.
Good luck Friend,
WDCarter
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Nike!!!....(Just Do It)
You'll either learn to swim or...Near the stream, doin it.
J
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MB
I've jist ventured out on my own. I was a
carpenter for 18 years before I moved from Az to
Mn. Had to learn all over how to build for totally
different climatic conditions etc. The first thing
I did was build up a small clientel off on the
side mostly replacing windows and doors. Not
glamorous work but those windows I changed out 2
years ago are now turning into 3 season porches
and decks etc. I also built up a rapport with a
lumber yard. The referrals they send are
excellent. I worked up to a forman for a company
that does a lot of large remodels and above
average custom homes. I picked up alot of
knowledge of subs and suppliers. Lastly ask alot
of questions and read everything you can get yo
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I am new to breaktime so please bear with me. I am in the military and have 3 years left. I have a fairly broad construction background from working before I joined the service and have did numerous home improvement projects for myself and others. I would like any advice and/or comments as what I can do now to prepare myself to reenter the construction trades and eventually become a general contractor. (i.e. books, courses, junior college, put a gun to my head?) Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks MB