Is it too late to pick up a trade

I’m a 40+ looking for a career change. After 15+ years of brownstone ownership, I’ve become quiet handy in both electric and plumbing. People have seen my work and commented that I could I could do this for a living. I’ve always strugged it off. However, I’ve been thinking more and more about it lately. Is it even possible for a 40+ person to break into a trade? What does it take to get started in electric,plumbing or HVAC?

bagofbricks

in General Discussion 11 years and 6 months ago

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erichmorre | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Well, that is a great advantage for you to establish your own business. In fact that is one way of targeting your right company, you have to be an expert, professional or at least related to your field of interest, in order to start one business that you have knowledge of. Not always a late, but you can always start form the beginning with your own will. Get more various trading and business ideas including naming a business at a quality one from this site [http://eatmywords.com/tips/is-your-name-lame/](http://eatmywords.com/tips/is-your-name-lame/), surely the tips not only gives you better understanding of trading but also running your own business as well.

steam_man | 11 years and 6 months ago

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I’m confused due to the comments. Are you looking to become a contractor? You post says you are looking to break into the trades. To me that means you are first looking to become a tradesman/woman. Starting as a helper and then a mechanic. Yes? No? If yes, then how flexible is your schedule?

arch007 | 11 years and 6 months ago

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If your good you can make $20/hr or so being an electrician’s “helper” you could probably get hired right away(might not be $20 at first). I am sure plumbing is similar. I believe plumbing is a way better trade $ wise (my brother is a self employed electrician in NJ) plumbing repairs are much better business than new construction or renovation work. but just know everything. It takes 5 years of documented experience to sit for the elec. license in NJ…not sure NY but probably similar. You could start your own biz as a contractor of tile, or carpentry right away, just need an HIC license. A survey of HS students years ago put the construction trades below garbage men in order of choices. my bro is 61 and still working, its hard work(I have a few years in myself).Wear a dust mask when chipping plaster and safety glasses when someone is using a snake. I was hit a few times and the glasses probably saved my eyes. http://nyc-dob

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 6 months ago

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OP, read the DOB website about what it takes to become a licensed electrician. they will list schools and work experience. also, check with the FDNY on stationary engineer school – they have a list. and the HVAC suppliers offer classes. check the tech schools – Apex is one I think and the Mechanics Institute. Find someone who knows someone in a union. You have to talk to people. read the websites first. I know a wall street guy who got laid off in 09 and I ran into him in a bar in the city 6 months later and he was in the carpenter’s union doing carpentry. he said he knew someone. Steve

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 6 months ago

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OP: I doubt the unions would discriminate based on age if you told them that this is what you really wanted to do. I have heard it helps to know someone. Something you can consider is Con Edison. Great pay. Benefits. they will hire 40 somethings; i have met many people who went to work for them well beyond 40\. Steve

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 6 months ago

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If you want to break into the trades, you’ll find yourself competing with people half your age who haven’t accumulated all that much baggage and can work 14 hours a day if you need them to. The unions are not an obstacle. Less than 15% of the contracting workforce is unionized. Townie is right. I’m 44 and I’m a one big ache some days. In the case of my business, plumbing’s gotten very technical so while I get lots of résumés from guys who know how to install fixtures and faucets, it’s just not nearly enough to keep someone employed these days. A plumbing shop is also a remarkably expensive business to run, if it’s going to run well. The amount of money that runs through my hands is upsetting. I don’t know. I guess the grass is always greener…but I’m sure there’s a better way than to get started in the trades at this point.

Townie | 11 years and 6 months ago

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From personal experience I would say many contractors in their late 40’s early 50’s are plagued by physical maladies brought about by years of mistreating their bodies. Knee problems, back injuries, carpel tunnel syndrome, and all the additional problems from self medication…Also how are your book keeping skills?

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Presumably, from your post, you have a regular day job. Going the route of a licensed plumber or electrician is a long and arduous process. That said it sounds like you have a book of references and can sell your services as a handyman who can do a lot. These are in great demand as the alternatives out there are often very poor. No, it’s not going to be a quick path to an actul new career but 40 IS NOT OLD (I’m 58) and you know what? People will pay for maturity in the form of someone who returns calls, shows up on time, is careful, etc, etc, etc

bagofbricks | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Steve and Bruce, thanks for the insight. The burden of night school and the ability to live on low income are obstacles that I can deal with. It’s the union influence on the process that worries me. I don’t know any union tradesmen, so I’m truly an outsider looking in. As far as education goes, any insights.

greenmountain | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Are you trying to get a job, or start a business? What you learned in your house would seem to apply to residential renovation. The particular trades would be useful, but so too: the bag of bricks. It is easy to get a license from the DCA, but the insurance policies and labor laws are expensive, contradictory, discriminatory, competitively prohibitive. Fraud is the usual solution, but if you go down that road, turning back would mean paying taxes and insurance retroactively. There would be high demand for your service, but the forces holding down your pay are not related to demand. Things could improve. Not long ago most people believed manufacturing was low-skilled and not viable in NYC. Now we have “the maker movement.” I would be happy to speak with you about how I started my business and what I am trying to do in the hostile business environment. You can find me in the Directory under Shower Stalls Green Mountain

brucef | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Are you asking in terms of employment, or about starting a contracting business? As you appear to be on the outside looking in, I suspect age discrimination (the trades are rife with EVERY type of bias) would prevent your entry into any apprenticeship program. At least in NJ, entry into an apprenticeship program is theoretically based on who you know (just kidding). However, an employer can get an apprentice in by virtue of hiring them. So I don’t know which is harder. Somehow getting hired by a contractor (I am most familiar with HVAC) trumps all other obstacles. Another tip: Drop the “career change” phrase. The trades are as likely to respect introspection as pay full boat for ballet tickets.

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 6 months ago

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what it really takes is the ability to live on a low income whilst you are either serving an apprenticeship or working for someone at a low wage or whilst attending school. You mention electrician, plumbing, or Hvac. we can throw carpentry and elevator repair into the mix as well. The best way to approach any of these is through a union apprenticeship where you will be paid while you train. but those are not always easy to get and maybe at your 40 plus age you won’t have the stamina for night school after a day of hard work. You can go to work for a non union firm and go to school to gain what it takes to get the licenses required to be an electrician (DOB license), HVAC or better still stationary engineer (FDNY License) and the same with plumbing. Either way to get licensed in any of these, you will have to have combined work experience with education; the master electrician and master plumber licenses are not easy to get and if you don’t get those and are not in the union I suspect you will find you will not be happy with the wage structure/benefits/retirement package. Check the website for Local 3 Electric and the Carpenter’s union; they have postings about the apprenticeship program. FYI full time journeyman in these trades probably pull about $90 an hour with benefits (that is a guess). Steve