Career Info

stack_ca

I am thinking about becoming a stone mason and have a few questions. I am 33 years old, am I too old to get started in this career? What kind of toll does this profession take on your body? I've been told by some (not stone masons, incidentally) that later on in your career your back and shoulders are done and arthritis is not uncommon. Is it unrealistic for me to think I could learn my trade, get some experience under my belt, and end up working as an independent contractor? Is this industry dying or will there be demand 10, 20, or 30 years down the road?
Any information or advice anyone in this field can offer would really help me out.

6stringmason

Well you wont start out being a mason. Its a long, hard road to that job. A couple years minimum of tending. Then a year or two of tending and getting up on the wall when you have time. THen another year or two of learning some of the ins and outs of the trade.

33 is old to start in this trade, but doable if your in decent shape. Dont expect any lieniancy (sp?) from the masons because of your age. None would be given from the masons I know anyways.

I find the job rewarding though. Nothing like looking at your work at the end of the day and seeing a nice well built wall that will be there long after you're gone.

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stacker

what six said.i would say that it would take you at least ten years to have enough experince to become a contractor.not that i want to burst your bubble.its hard work.being a mason isnt the only requirement to being a contractor.would i want to learn the trade at 33,hell yes.its good money.i contract on my own and have been lucky to stay busy for 4 years running now.i am 47 years old.other than being over weight and smoke like a chimney,i am in good shape.........but i am starting to feel it.my knees hurt,my wrists hurt.the only time my back hurts is when i am bent over hogging out a wall,or laying foundations.
good luck at what ever you plan to do.

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Tscarborough

What is your current/previous profession? It would be tough to follow the normal path: Laborer, tender, mason, contractor unless you have experience in at least some aspects of the industry at 33.

ruskent

If you have construction experience, i bet you could pick things up pretty quick. I worked with GCs all through High school. I would bounce around and help the different subs. Then a few years later i decided to do some masonry work on a couple of jobs. Now i am trying to move my entire business towards masonry.

lukachuki

How so Rusk? In reading through some of your old posts on this forum and others it looks to me like you are moving towards Landscape Design/ Comprehensive Outdoor Contracting. I have not had time to read your posts for awhile though so maybe something has changed.

Sorry for the little bunny trail in a good thread....to answer the original question we need a little more info as Tsc stated.

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Less with the jaw more with the paw!

ruskent

High end landscaping is all masonry.

lukachuki

Now i'm sure there are some exceptions! but in general you are right. One thing to consider! Hire an experienced mason...i do at a ridiculous hourly rate but it is well worth it. Respect vertical masonry, it takes years and years to get really good at it and there is no replacement for experience. The flatwork you can teach yourself pretty quickly but it still helps to have trowel skills.

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"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

WNYcarpenter

What's harder....basic training in the Marine Corps. or tending for a couple grumpy old masons?

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lukachuki

marine corps imho

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

ruskent

Next year i am looking to hire a full time mason. My top guy is good at masonry, but he would have to be able to do it every single day for a while before he got fast at it.

I am going to push masonry on every job now. I think alot of homeowners out there just do not realize the options they have. When i see pavers or srw on a 2 million dollar house i just cringe!

stack_ca

Thanks for the advice. I completely understand that I would be starting from the bottom up and would not learn everything over night. I am thinking long term. As well, when I asked how realistic it was to become an independent contractor what I actually meant was independent bricklayer or mason (being my own boss, working for myself, picking up side jobs, etc).
No one really commented on the toll being a bricklayer takes on your body. I am in shape and healthy and enjoy doing physical labour but I don't want to be a cripple when I'm 60.
I should also mention I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and it seems all trades are in high demand right now.

Driftwood

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Tom67

I started out as a laborer at age 33, did that for about 2 years before they put me on the wall, I wasn't in very good shape. I've been laying for about 4 years now, I still wouldn't consider going out on my own at this point, for lack of knowledge, although I don't really apply myself as much as I could because it isn't what I want to do forever. It does take a toll on your body but it also keeps you in good shape, sort of a catch 22. But then again we do mainly commercial work and it's just go,go,go all the time, really wears on you after awhile. I have always thought that starting out in this trade at a younger age would have been better, your body just adjusts better to the work. Hope that helps some.