Advice on starting out/changing career

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kuro

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Alright folks,

I'm sure you've all heard this one before, but I thought I'd go ahead and ask all your advice about the best way to get into the trade. Eventually I want to run my own self employed biz but I'm just starting out right now.

Bit of background...

When I was younger, my friends and family all became tradesmen in the black country. Roofers, Electricians, Plumbers, Tilers and plasterers. I however (because my teachers thought I was clever lol) went to University to study heritage and archaeology - I got into teaching, business consultancy and eventually project management in my early 30s. Whilst all my friends from home developed their skills and started their own businesses, I went of to the city to work in offices and high rises. It sucked. Still does. I hate it. Don't care about the money - it doesn't mean much if you're giving up your soul every day for a salary.

So, after 10 years working in 'business' at management level, I've realized that I hate it quite alot - I was born to be using my hands, not sat in front of a PC all day talking about P&L, spreadsheets and HR. When I was young, I built things, worked as a painter/decorator and started my own small company. It felt like living.

I've worked on my own and others flats and houses for years, am very hands on, fitted my own bathroom and kitchen recently, happy with electrics and plumbing, can do a bit of everything to be fair. So, when you hear 'city boy', I'm not really one. I was born in the countryside, grew up on farms, should have stayed there but I went to the big smoke, enticed by the money! What a tw*t.

Now, at 32, I want to get back into skilled craft work and learn a trade properly. I think plastering is for me, but is it too late? I don't care if it takes me 10 years to learn, and a further 25 to get as good as you lot! I just want in and to be allowed to work hard and graft! Be good to hear your advice on courses, on the job training, qualifications needed etc.


Any thoughts?

If you think it's a mental idea, please say so. I'm gonna do it anyway...

Cheers!
 
Good on ya!! Not! Lol what the fook would you want to do this for? Arthritis and rheumatism before you're 30, why not look into other trades like a spark or plumber still skilled well sort of ;), plus you can pick up bits of plastering on the way but keep your body moving
 
I'm 26 and feeling the strain of 10 years within damp and cold environments doing a job that the body wasn't designed for, you're 32 which it's never to late mate tbh, if you are determined to seek a career in plastering make sure you have a pension sorted already which I'm sure you will have from previous experiences, as after 10 years within this trade you will without doubt be feeling the strain.

speak to some of the older/more experienced spreads on here who have been run through the mill with health issues due to this trade.

I won't even bother getting into the prices situation now but this is another issue altogether
 
Iv gone from a 22 stone lazy Carpenter to a 17 stone fast working plasterer i'm 43 and feel great nothing better than the satisfaction of a perfect plastered wall beats banging nails into wood any day just work smart don't over do it and buy some radox for your hot baths your going to need it! lol
 
Welcome kuro, good on ya mate. Go for it plastering has more possitives than negatives in my opinion. Anyone can do plumbing, carpentry or electrics! :RpS_biggrin:
 
not too late mate, and theres nothing more satisfying than doing a good job and running a successful business so i can see the appeal. but there are negitives and when my knuckles are aching or theres not much work i often wonder if the grass might be greener so bare that in mind.
 
Hi Kuro,

"You can't judge a man by the colour of his collar. Whether it be blue or white, each can be noble in their profession"

There's more to plastering than just skimming:

If you're artistic, you can specialise in Venetian plaster.
If you love the outdoors, you can specialise in rendering.
If you love heritage and restoration, you can specialise in fibrous plastering.
If you're a cowboy, get on your horse.
If you're a bulls#%^ter, you'll love this site.

:RpS_thumbsup:
 
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Minh said:
Hi Kuro,

"You can't judge a man by the colour of his collar. Whether it be blue or white, each can be noble in their profession"

There's more to plastering than just skimming:

If you're artistic, you can specialise in Venetian plaster.
If you love the outdoors, you can specialise in rendering.
If you love heritage and restoration, you can specialise in fibrous plastering.
If you're a cowboy, get on your horse.

:RpS_thumbsup:
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And Iif your a bullsh###er you will fit in nicely.
 
why not property develop with a vue to working on the tools where at all possible...variety of work and you havent got to wait for customers to call you as domestic...and with the greatest of respect sites will destroy your lack of speed and experiance in this present climate.....

zombie
 
I would suggest the best way in at your age would be to first join the fire brigade/service or what ever the fcuk it called these days. Then once in there you will have all the time in the world to practice plastering as a second job while under cutting all the real tradesmen in your area and depriving them of a living while you to catch up on your sleep and watch porn all night while on duty. After all two incomes is better than none. IMO.
 
zombie said:
why not property develop with a vue to working on the tools where at all possible...variety of work and you havent got to wait for customers to call you as domestic...and with the greatest of respect sites will destroy your lack of speed and experiance in this present climate.....

zombie
Click to expand...

He'll need a serious amount of money to get into property development. It's not easy to flip properties for a quick buck these days either. Yields are also low, which means it's not the best place to invest money. There might be huge demand for top spec Central London properties but you'll need over 100k deposit to even get on the ladder.
 
beader said:
I would suggest the best way in at your age would be to first join the fire brigade/service or what ever the fcuk it called these days. Then once in there you will have all the time in the world to practice plastering as a second job while under cutting all the real tradesmen in your area and depriving them of a living while you to catch up on your sleep and watch porn all night while on duty. After all two incomes is better than none. IMO.
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He's better off doing some petty crime and getting locked up for a few years. He'll have no rent to pay, 3 square means a day, plenty of recreational activities and might even meet a forward cell mate. At least when he comes out in a few years, the economy will be back on track and there will be plenty of plastering jobs available.
 
:RpS_thumbsup:
beader said:
I would suggest the best way in at your age would be to first join the fire brigade/service or what ever the fcuk it called these days. Then once in there you will have all the time in the world to practice plastering as a second job while under cutting all the real tradesmen in your area and depriving them of a living while you to catch up on your sleep and watch porn all night while on duty. After all two incomes is better than none. IMO.
Click to expand...
 
Kuro welcum my fellow yam yam buddy ;) lol. A lot of good advice said erm somewhere, not on this thread tho m8 lol. Any of the trades you mention will take a while to grasp and then to set up your biz, what about setting up as an handyman and then increasing your knowledge/practical side whilst earning? I started out as a tiler,qualified as a plumber then part'p' spark as well as teaching myself carpentry and skimming. I ran a bathroom/kitchen biz for @23yrs took a few yr off and now launched a new biz as an handyman which is sound. I semi retired at 45 but got bored so back to full time but leisurely, theres no way i'm bostin my body up to earn a crust, i definately would'nt be looking to learn plastering full time, it's fxxxin hard graft, but then so are most trades in one way or another.buying and selling property would be a good way of cutting your teeth but you'd need a lot of motivation as would running your own biz. Wish ya the best tho' m8
 
Do it but for f*ck sake go to college,find a plasterer who is willing to show you the ropes.DONT waste your money on a 5 day course the only thing you will learn is how to waste money. had to bale a couple of blokes who bit off more than they could chew.
 
You need your head examining mate !! Only fools come into the building trade now days mate as there's no work or money about . Keep to what you know!!
 
I have family and m8s who are still eeking a good wage out of the general building game! Cor say the lads working forthem or subbying are tho ;)
 
I carry out plastering works for 3 builders all are fully booked for this year and turning work away. Loads of people are extending and having alterations carried out. Builders take a cut on every trade and on the materials which tops up their wages. The guys I know are on a steady £150 - £200 a day.

Roofing is also a good trade to be in at the moment, after the weather we have had if your in that trade you won't be short of work this year.
 
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