Please Give Me Some Advice!

alexfung

Hi, everyone. I am considering changing my career. My goal for the next ten years is to become a General Contractor. I know nothing about building house, but my sister is an architect for 8years and her friend is a GC for over 20years. Both are willing to train me and give me an opportunity to learn from the GC. My plan is to put myself back to school for contractor or civil engineer at night while working for the GC during the day. Can anyone tell me more about this industry and is it worth ten years of my life pursuing this career? This will be a turning point in my life , because for the past 15years of working in restaurant business had failed. I have decided to leave the restaurant business once and for all. I appreciate any info.

FWConstGrp

Alex,

These are questions you need to answer yourself. Nobody can tell you how it will work out for you in your circumstance.

Worth is all relevant. Have you even been on a jobsite? I'm assuming that the idea does interest you in some way but your experiences will be different from your sister and her friend.

I will say that based on what you said with a lot of hard work you have a good chance of sucess.

Good Luck

snapper21

Your dealings with the public, and employee's should help you on the business end of it.
Good luck!

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Just the thought of not trying is a stroke of ignorance.

Peladu

Well, you must be willing to work hard, everyone I know in the restaurant business bust their ass.

One thing you should know about GCing is that you will have good years and bad years. Last years income will be different than this year, this years income will be nothing like next year. You have to be able to accept constant change.

AtlanticWBConst

Alexfung,

As said, Congratulations on a plan.
We can't tell you how many people on this forum and the DIY forum write in about wanting to become a GC with NO PLAN.
They want to jump right in and build 'something' without any knowledge or 'experience', and start calling themselves a GC.

So, good for you - in having a definite plan and realizing that it takes time, knowledge, experience, lots of hard work, and a mentor to help you get there.

Congratulations on your decision and GOOD LUCK!!

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- Build Well -

PipeGuy

Provided you're getting workplace experience coincidentally to your academic pursuits, I think a 'business' major will be of more benefit to you in the long term than something as narrow as a construction or engineering degree. Just my $.02.

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Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn

widco

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alexfung

I really think this board is the best, simply because all of your support and sincere advice. I will do as planned, and I will come to this forum as often as I could. I wish all you the best in life

Shanklesbuilder

Speaking from experience if you can hack it in the restaurant business then your people skills are definately up to par. I am 23 and served for 3 years before going to work for GC. I have one more simester in a civil enginering tecnology associates deg. I also just sent off my GC app. If you are mechanicaly inclined and work hard you will do just fine.

alexfung

Hi, I have three more questions, would like to know if anyone can share their knowledge.
1. What are the best time or the best things you like about in the GC industry?
2. What are the worst time or the worst things you don't like about in the GC industry?
3. How did you get into this field?

Thank you in advance!

Jim Garcia

THe best thing about being in the business is that feeling you get when "others" hear about your great work. The worst time is when you have more going out than coming in. I got into the business quite by accident, like I said it started as a floor gig in a Nursing Home and turned into a full blown wing remodel.

alexfung

Thank you for sharing your story! Anyone else would like to share theirs?

Paul Burns

There are very FEW GC's that I trust or consider HONEST.

Most are just making money off of other peoples talents.

You can cut the GC out of almost every contract if you know what you are doing.

When someone calls us and says they are a GC, we hang up on them 99% of the time.

Paul

Brushslingers

Best part is when the client throws a party because he/she is so happy with the work, and invites thier friends to see it.

Worst part is when you have subs that don't show to do X on time and you have to face your client to explain to them why the inspector will not allow them to move in and open on time.

My dad and grandfather... unluckily enough I blew my back out doing my subs work, so now I am back where I started at 17, painting.

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Benn