Journeyman Or Builders License

J.Wilson

Kind of lost right now as to how to get into the business of construction. I'm currently going to school for teaching and absolutely hate it. I'd rather be out building something. I wanted to go to school for construction management but heard that was geared more towards being a superintendent at the jobsites. I want to be a carpenter, and learn all I can then move on to running my own business. My question is, how did you guys get to the point your at with owning and running your own businesses, and would you recommend an apprentice program in the carpenters union as a good way to break into the business and learn.

RobertCDF

I started out at the age of 6 while my parents had thier custom house built. Building all kinds of stupid things with the scrap then spent 6-12 hanging around the job sites building stuff with the scraps, talking to the framers, picking up nails for the framers. I dont know why I did not go into framing right away but when I was 21 I lost my job and a good friend of mine who had a framing crew offered me a temp job as a laborer. Worked that for a little bit while I was working on another business (recording studio, cd production) when I quit to spend more time on it they kept asking me to come back. After things did not work out as well as I had hoped with the other business I went back to framing spent 2 1/4 years on that crew and then went out on my own a little more than 1 1/4 years ago. Best advice: Start at the bottom eager to learn, work. Be the first one on the jobsite every day. Dont slack off. Buy your own tools as you can afford them. LEARN EVERYTHING you can from more than just one person. Everyone has a differant way of doing something take the best of all of it. When it comes to going out on your own get your insurance, license then advertise heavily.
Good luck and have fun.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

locofoco

J
You need a mentor, somebody to take you under their wing. Maybe an older carpenter/builder that could teach you the trade. There is nothing like hands on experience but don't overlook the business end either- that's where you'll eventually make serious money. If you can get into an apprenticeship, do it. Get the knowledge anyway you can.
Loco

noreast05

Where are you located? Small community or in the hussle and bussle of a great city. Define your goals. What do you really want to do....... not just today or tomorrow, but where do you see yourself in the 5, 10, 15+ years. Speaking for myself, but I think most of us get our start from a vision. Some have vision but only a select few persue it. If you feel it inside...... I mean realy feel it, you will know when it time to take the leap.

For myself I grew up among the differnet trades, literally. I would like to think I am somewhat intelligent, but never did well in a school atmosphere, ended up leaving. So at early age I began to follow other great people. Learning everything they have to offer. And to this day I still look for the insight of great people. Sure I should have stayed in school but in my situation I could not. So I moved on to persue and learn from great people.

I ended up where my life had started. Pounding nails and working with others . Sure I had to go to the school of hard knocks to learn that, but I don't regret it. I am doing well for myself and will do well in the future.

I'm sure you will see alot of different answers with your question. There really is no right or wrong answer. I think if you have some hard defined goals and are serious about what you want you will do well.

As far as the union......... hmmmmmm. .....perhaps there is a small local contractor you can do work for. If you want to go out on your own someday I think you should learn from a local guy or girl, instead of an organization. You can learn so much from a local small time contractor. Even things that have nothing to do with the job. Just life in general.

J.Wilson

I've been working for a local contractor who was also my high school shop teacher, great guy and has taught me everything I know about building and related areas, he's unfortunately getting out of the business next summer so he can spend more time with his kids. I started out working at a cabinet shop as a laborer for a guy who had over 40 years experience in the cabinetmaking business, he just closed up shop at the age of 85, and I learned a ton from him, however, I dont feel I know enough by any means to start on my own as of yet, therefore I'm thinking about the carpenter apprentice route.

noreast05

Find another local contractor and work along a good lead. Ask alot of questions. I'm sure you can find another small contractor that would be willing to teach you. The skilled labor market is very tight. Contractors are seeking alternative ways to get more skilled help. Just because the local guy does not call it "an apprentice program" does not mean your not apprentice. The union may put a label on something to get guys like you to join their program. They are seeking to create skilled workers and if they get you early there will be a good chance they will mold you into what they want. What do you want ?

J.Wilson

My problem with working for a small contractor is that the pay isnt as good, and if i'm going to be leaving school to pursue a career in carpentry, it needs to be worth it financially. My plan is to do the apprentice program, finish that up, then go off on my own with all the knowledge I gained in the program, plus i'll have the financial aspect to back me up.

noreast05

Sounds like you have it all figured out. Best of luck

skylands

Well J, ---- lets talk. (I got this one covered gang)

Your quote was ...."it needs to worth it financially."

The pay for an apprentice is around the starting level.

If you are looking for someone to teach you the trade plus give you a truck, expense account, benefits, prescription plan, stock options, holidays, sick time, summers off, snow days, tenure and no accountability, then I suggest you ........stay where you are.......be a teacher.

Out here you start at the bottom and "EARN" your way up. Today's consumer is saavy, educated, and dangerous. They are convinced they know more then you because they took the "how to" seminar at the Home Depot. They not only know how much you should charge but they know all there is to know about everyone of your competitors. You need to be able to convey knowledge, experience and professionalism to the customer.
Once you join the ranks of independent contractor, you will be blessed with punch lists, whinning, insurance rate hikes after you quoted the job, broken tools, employees not showing up, subs doing a bad job, and the never ending customer who doesn't quite have the funds for that final payment.
Your tone seems to indicate that you're looking for that guarantee in life. Well, nuff said??? Stick with the local contractor and learn.