I Am Interested In Becoming A General Contractor, Any Help Appreciated

Rush

I'm interested in becoming a general contractor and I'm looking into a 16 week school called "Turnkey Construction Management". Does anyone have experience with this program? If not, does anyone recommend any other type of program like this one?

I have no previous experience in the construction industry but I do have experience in owning a business. Any pointers on where I should get started?

Thanks,
Brandon Rushing


MODS: I posted this earlier and it was deleted. I've read the rules posted on the top of this page and I have not breached a thing. Next time you delete a topic could you at least give a reason for doing so? Nothing in my above post warranted the previous thread deletion. I am not affiliated with the above company if that is what was assumed.

dubz

i think this is the problem

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Rush

So someone who is interested in getting information on how to become a contractor, must already be a contractor before posting on this website? Seems pretty ridiculous, don't you agree?

dubz

No, not really. It's a contractor's website, set up and maintained by a contractor who wants it like that.

It's a big internet though.

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Heritage

They have 2 year associate degree courses, 4 year bachelor degree courses and then continue up to a PHD level for construction management.

I've never heard of a 16 week course preparing you for anything realistic in what you're looking to get into.

I would say don't waste your time, you're not going to learn much and probably get a false sense of your understanding, I don't care how smart you are.

PM's that came up as grunts/carpenters usually spent a good deal of time as Supervisors, running crews on big projects and they were tutored by a competent boss.

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precisionbuild

What a coincidence. I was wanting to become a brain surgeon. I have no experience, but I have cut myself before. I was hoping to take a 2-week course and open a practice.


Maybe I'll head on over to the brain surgeon's forum and ask them. Yea, that sounds like a good idea. I'll have to remember to put Neurological Surgeon in my profile.

JumboJack

You can't become a GC in 16 weeks.....

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Rush

When I registered it required me to put something in that field. Sorry if you are offended by someone looking to get into a field. Where the hell would you ask for information to enter a new career? Forums are a wealth of information, but when someone with an attitude like yours responds, it ruins the entire purpose of a forum. But thanks for your insightful and thought provoking reply.

precisionbuild

I'm sorry I ruined this forum. Or maybe all forums. What did I do? Divide by zero?

I think I would make a good surgeon. You should have seen the set of stringers I cut today. No need to bash my aspirations.

precisionbuild

On a more serious note. If you are asking for a job with a contractor so you can learn, then welcome. If not, there are better forums for your questions. We have a DIY site here just for this purpose.

You cannot become a General (or even a sub) in 16 weeks. Sorry. This forum is for contractors (subs & general) or people who work for them or in affiliated industries.

Meetre

.......................

While most around here can come off a bit rude, mostly because we have to chase homeowners and "contractors" off this site. It is for construction professionals, which you admittedly are not. Why not go to the new member area, and introduce yourself, like any polite forum user would. Then, use the search to find out answers to your questions. Most of us have spent MANY YEARS learning by trial and error, and don't just tell any old person on the internet how we do it. Maybe if you hang out for a while, and get to know some of us, we'll be nice.

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JumboJack

Here are the ,low if you ask me, quailifacations for California...

The contractor or other person who will act as the qualifying individual must have had,
within the ten years immediately before the filing of the application, at least four full
years of experience at a journey level, or as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor in the
classification for which he or she is applying. The experience claimed on the application
must be verifiable and individuals who have knowledge of the experience must

certify the accuracy of the experience information provided by the applicant

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

JumboJack

Orrrrr maybe not......

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Meetre

I should have said maybe, sorry

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precisionbuild

At least he thanked me for my reply.

skyhook

I did 2 years Construction Tech in college, 4 years apprenticeship in the Carpenters Union, studied and passed the CSLB bar exam and still lost $ 100k in my first year. Good Luck (I really mean that)

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Knighton

Don't know where you can go to get experience formally, but in Louisiana where you say you're located, you can go to the state board of contractors and get some valuble info www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/

There are licenses and/or categories of contracting you can specifically apply for and test for. The easiest "contracting license" to obtain in Louisiana is the "Home Improvement Contractor" license. The only thing that's required of you is that you have some minimal net worth and workmens comp. There is absolutely no test to take and you are officially licenesed to do any general residential improvement work under $75,000 (may be $50,000).

If you want to be a "residential contractor", there are other requirements...you must take a test and have done documented work in the past. You also must have verified financial statements compiled by a CPA, such as yours truly.

As for learning how to actually do the work, I suggest you pick-up your tool belt and get to work

Rush

Thanks Knighton! I've been browsing the LSLBC site for a few days now and there is good information and forms on there.

Ed the Roofer

Sometimes, when people Report a Post as Spam, it gets deleted without much investigation. This is especially true when a newbie poster comes on board and mentions a school name, which may or may not have looked like it was advertising for that school.

Gee, does that ever really happen?

Yes, way too often.

Now.....

What experience in contracting do you have up to this point?

or

How many episodes of Holmes On Homes have you watched, before deciding on this newfound desire to become a General Contractor?

California is right up there with the srticter laws and regulations. You may want to consider one of the Southern States, where anything flies. Just a thought.

I highly doubt any 16 week course will turn a novice into a successful and knowledgable General Contractor, but you should contact their previous graduates and see how they are doing with the knowledge obtained.

Ed

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bdkev2004

Sit down........and pay close attention..!!! The reason you are running into so much displeasure in reference to your post is becuase of the below:

The individuals on this site have spent countles "years" perfecting their crafts and logging log tireless days, nights and weekends to aspire to the level of General Contractor.

To "assume" that this can be done on a "fast-track" vehicle such as a "16 week educational" money stealing infommercial course is INSULTING....!!!

Now down to business, I'm done venting.

Sir, I recommend that you take the time to come up with a complete and professional business plan, this will enable you to take the necessary time, effort and gain a much more detailed knowledge and RESPECT for General Contracting.

Once you have completed all the pertinent information that is needed to complete your business plan, apply for the necessary licenses and study the applicable laws governing contracting in your city and state. THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING.

By this time, (probably 6- 8 months from now), you will be ready to get your feet wet. Read as many trade magazines as possible. Learn the General Contracting lingo, it's a whole new language separate from English.....!!!!

Talk to bona-fide and successful General Contractors and whatever you do, don't say nothing, just LISTEN.....!!!!

If you can pull off the above, we'll let you in on a bigger secret later...............BEST WISHES MY FRIEND.....!!!!