First-time poster, here. I have long admired the work shown in Fine Homebuilding. I’m an IT guy, actually, but I have the soul of a craftsman and long to work with my hands (AND head) for a living.
Anyone out there willing to give me some advice on how to get started? I have no carpenter/construction experience, but I do know my way around a wood shop. A local community college offers carpentry degrees and certificates. Is this a good start? I know there are many areas of specialization. I’d prefer not to be pigeon-holed as a specialist, but rather a generalist who might do home renovation work, for example.
Thanks for your advice.
Replies
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=122300.1
Welcome to Break Time. You can begin by reading this thread from last week. That'll larn ya. ;-)
The classes is a good start right now, since too many guys are already out of work, and because the future in remodeling and building will go to those who are either willing to work hard for peanuts, or those who are educated in their craft above the average and have a good work ethic and attitude.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Maybe connect the dots and use your IT experience for building and renovation.
Check out doing some consulting for builders looking to sharpen up the computer end of their work. Web design, CAD, estimating and financials etc. That leads to conversations about, "hey - do you need a guy on that job coming up?" and before you know it you're wearing a toolbelt and carrying OSB around 4 sheets at a time just like a real helper.
Formal training's a great thing and worth getting, but if you can start off as a grunt with your eyes wide open you'll learn a lot of things that will really complement the academic stuff.
j
long
Or you could try reading this thread by Willie another IT guy who made the jump to contracting. BTW he is still doing contracting and making better money. Not always, but doing better.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=104492.1
Rich
Great hobby, poor career choice. Takes years of hard work to learn the basics, low pay, no job security, limited, if any, benefits. You could be an MD in the time it takes to be a solid journeyman. Think about your future. Where do you want to be at 50? Crawling on a floor installing your 10,000th piece of baseboard? If you were the entrepreneur or business type, you wouldn't be asking this question.
If you want to earn the kind of money that allows you to send your kids to private college, have the house on the lake, a substantial retirement fund, membership at the country club, etc., running carpentry tools is one of the toughest ways to get there, financially. It's getting more difficult everyday. You think it's got soul, now, because you haven't done it. You can bet Norm is on his knees, thankful he has a TV show. Don't let your imagination run away with you. Nothing is as it appears from the outside.
If you want to climb ladders, make sure they are career ones. Figure out who makes what and get the education to start you in that direction. In construction, the guys in the office have careers, the carpenters have jobs. Some of us manage to make carpentry a career but the odds are stacked against you. Even when it happens, it can be short lived. Don't make a big bet under those conditions.
Sorry to be negative. I'm speaking from 45 years of full time experience. There are plenty of jobs that can satisfy your creative side. All jobs are work, get one that will reward you for it over the long run.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
hammer
Good Post
I love this work, but it took a long time to learn and even longer to learn how to make it profitable.
Most guys in the trades have 0 in their retirement savings.
Rich
Thanks everyone for your candid opinions. Carpenty is but one of several new career paths I am considering. I think I can cross it off of my list. Thanks for the reality check. The local community college that offers a degree in carpentry is only offering two, count 'em two carpentry courses this fall! Meanwhile, they're offering many, many renewable energy technology courses. Sign of the times, I suppose.
I've been resisting considering any new path that involves sitting at a computer for most of the day, but I may rethink that. There's some wisdom in leveraging my experience. In the meantime, I'm planning a home office project using stock cabinetry. That should satisfy my desire for some hands-on work.