When Are You Too Old To work In The Skilled Trades? | THE HANDYMAN BUSINESS | 

Awesome Dave! It’s also pretty important for working men to get in the gym and train themselves for the labor load. I’m still young but after a gym session it tends to workout any soreness you might get on the job.

Dave, I'm 66 and still going strong. My only complaint is that I'm way too busy! I'm also developing some issues in my hands (stiff and sore) but nothing that a few pain killers won't help. Keep the faith brother!

Hey Northern Lights Renovations, I know what you mean about being busy! I’m booked up for about two months and getting leads every few days. It’s been like this for years. . It amazes me how much demand there is out there. In Omaha, and I assume everywhere, there is a shortage of legit carpenters. It is a rarity for prospects to attempt negotiation of the bid. I’ll submit bids by email on a Saturday night and get a “sold” reply at 8 on Sunday. I assume that,like me, you have a strong client base and you are “ their guy”. I’m also a member of the BBB and that’s where new customers find me. I can’t respond to every inquiry but to those to whom I do I always immediately apprise them of my packed schedule and if they are willing to wait awhile I’ll bid immediately. I’ve met wonderful people over the years as I’m sure you have. Back in the old days I was superintending construction of new homes in a new development. The developer would hand me a set of plans and say “build this one on lot 24” .......words to that effect.....and eVErything from there was my problem/challenge/responsibility. I weeded through subs until I found reliable honest subs......grownups......and those relationships/. friendships stand today. It’s an adventure and a pain in the ass, a blessing and a curse....but I can’t imagine working for someone. I don’t play well with bosses. I had a killer productive day today and came home tired but happy. I’d say 50% of my days are like that. The rest are not as smooth but I’m doing what I was born to do, I think. I married at 30 and we had a baby on the way and a couple days into the marriage I told my wife, Eileen, “ I can’t work with assholes anymore. I want to start my own business.” She didn’t bat an eye or hesitate. She said do it. I put the word out with commercial sales people at big box stores and lumber yards and they sent leads and it hit the fan. It’s never stopped or slowed down. Enough bullshit. Keep your eyes open and be careful. Semper Fidelis Dave Heitman in Omaha dba Dave the Carpenter

@@eileenheitman4351 - Dave . My podcast is focused on Blue Collar. I think you'd be a heck of a guest. Please let me known if you are interested in knowing more. There isn't any obligation, its free, etc. :)

@@eileenheitman4351 Dave, those are words to live by...... in my lifetime I've found that 'bosses' are too far away from the actual work to really know what needs to be done. Being your own boss and being hands on are the ideal way to go. Unlike you I took a detour and became a commercial pilot for a number of years, then shifted gears again and became an electrical engineer. All with bosses of course, and never happy with the outcomes. Now my bosses change every few days (my customers) and I find that they are usually pretty great to deal with. Not always mind you, but within a few days or weeks I have a new boss, so it's generally pretty bearable. The one thing I really enjoy about this, which you hinted at, is the variety of things that I need to troubleshoot or figure out. It engages my brain, and makes the outcomes more satisfying when I can stand back and say to myself "job well done"! My one fear is that my body is going to give out on me. Every morning the pain seems to get worse, but I soldier on with the hope that it never gets so bad that I have to quit. Time will tell. It was great hearing your story. You sound like one of the good guys and it's been an honor to hear your story.

Why aren't you retired and hanging out in St Martin on the beach?

@@TheHandymanBusiness I thought about doing that 15 years ago and decided against it because I had 2 employees with very little chance of finding a decent replacement job. I ended up firing one of them but the other one got his act together and is financially secure today. Since then I've been able to help a dozen more people go from broke losers to homeowners with healthy bank accounts and retirement plans by offering them a job and showing them that they can be successful. I'm cutting back on the work hours but I want to help one more person find her path to prosperity. It's much more satisfying than hanging out on a tropical beach.

You are a better man than I.

Great attitude. Tell us about your stretching routine 👍🏼

I'm also painter , also did concrete coatings for 25 years . I still work out at least four days a week . I am in a lot of pain , soreness, and lower back . Still at it, though .

I thought I was old at 40 thinking to change careers and get to trade

I thought a PhD was a manual post hole digger?

I hear ya. I'm thinking about retiring lily early from current job and switching to either carpentry or electrical.

I am starting welding school next week, at 48. Retired military, and an office job doesn’t appeal to me. I’ve always loved building and repairing things. I still have a lot of good years and hard work in me. Bad joints and all. Hard work depends on the individual and the amount of abuse you can take. Work smarter, not harder.. Edit: Grew up, and was raised by many skilled trade-workers, from various trades. They always told me, most employers want a person who works steady, and no matter how long you’ve been doing that trade, you must be willing to learn. The issue I’ve always seen with those with loads of “experience” is that they aren’t willing to listen and learn. They have it “all figured out”. That mindset will hold you back much more than age.. Companies don’t like know-it-alls or “experts”. They like people who work safe, and are productive. Speed at which you complete a job is t always the measuring stick of a worker!!!

@@DoomsdayIsComing73 Speed is great, but quality must be there or no dice. I'm probably going to retire in next 5 years and head in tradesman direction as well. Welding sounds rough. Good luck to you.

Can I ask why you stopped making video games? That used to be my dream job but the way my life unfolded, I had to provide and started a trade and 5 years later, I’m now a plumber lol I’m now 28 years old

If you see the new Saints Row reboot and Loot Crates, you see why. AAA Gaming sucks now and Indies don't make money.

@@RetroMemeMaster do you make a good income ?

@@onkar2111 I’m making 34$/hr in bc Canada

Starting welding school at 48, retired military. Never welded a day in my life, and have talked to many welders about the job. Every last one of them said, they’d prefer a guy like me, who is willing to learn, than a “know-it-all” and “experienced” worker. Many people with tons of years of experience, expect top dollar wages, and have tons of bad habits. It’s easier to teach a novice who wants to learn, than an expert…

thats my plan, I use to do drywall repairs, I'd just park in front of customers house, and someone would notice the sign. New plan ( i have no business and i am new to the area) I will put signs on my van and park and read a book where I want to work.

Glad you like them!

I’ll bet that is fulfilling work, lol. I’ve seen a truck locally, (appeared as a franchise formula) and thought WTH!?. Who would start a business scooping dog turds? But then I walk my dog and clean up after him myself. Talking about a shoe shine economy, I recently saw a wrapped service vehicle for dumpster sanitizing! Also, appeared to be a franchise based ‘opportunity’. To each their own I guess but these kinds of services aren’t essential and would likely be the first to suffer in a downturn.

@@bondpit8750 I’m owner operator of the scooping business. I stay lean with expenses and no debt. If the business slows I pivot and work in other side work jobs. It’s how I’ve gotten this far in life. Gotta be flexible and debt free and in good health with a meat based diet.

Ditto. I"m almost 60 (times flys doesn't it?) I'm trying to get back into the flipping biz cause it pays better (did that for 20 years) but I still enjoy doing handyman small jobs and that's what I do now to pay the bills. I find when I do my marketing that I can pick and choose the easier and more enjoyable ones currently in this hot real estate market, however, I know that may not last!

Thing is bro today it may be the best time ever to make this leap of faith. We've raised a generation of soft males than have no intention of doing trade work, it's too hard. What we do is not rocket science. You take pride in the quality of your finished product.....and just show up! You'll do fine.

@@billysyms5761 hell yeah man! It’s just giving up those benefits when I know I got a kid inbound. Haha ....😬. Once my personal seas settle, I’ll take the dive. In the meantime, I’m a knowledge and wisdom sponge!

Plus racism. But you couldn't know anything about that. Some cats who got land in homestead act, could pass it down. While some lost their land and had nothing to pass down.

@@Torriotorres Racism? You ever take a walk on a job site? You'll be hard pressed to find a gringo here in Los Angeles. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.

@@Torriotorres haha, ok dude 😂. Keep on with that and you are 100% guaranteed to never go anywhere.

Good eye. 16,000 views and you are the only one to point it out.

​@@TheHandymanBusiness Well, it is the business channel. I was paying close attention in class. ":)~

@Dirty Burger what do they do that’s obnoxious?

😊😊😊😂😂 thats funny

Isn't that the truth..... and the woman usually wins the argument.... errr, discussion.

@Dirty Burger then don’t do it? Unless you’re working for a maintenance company then ok.. otherwise you got the choice to take the jobs or not

@Dirty Burger easy money $$$

thehandyman.store/

If you put this whole thing on RU-vid as a series, I would definitely watch and subscribe.

@@rickfakhre2400 I've tried making videos of other projects. Making videos of a job adds a lot of time and work compared to just getting the job done. I am going to be busy enough keeping everything coordinated and on schedule without making videos.

Lmao wow, I hung 40 sheets of 1/2 inch mold resistant drywall in two days, mudded and sanded, in 12 days by myself using all purpose mud. Finished basement job. Took 2 days off in that time. I guess I'm worth more than I thought.

@@carcasscruncher9354 Yeah, we are looking to meet basic goals with work daily. Basically hit a single or an occasional double instead of beating ourselves up and hitting home runs every day. Already did the hard labor over the past 20 years. House flipping is just a part time, already have a full time job. Now I have put myself into position to make $80-100hr. Do the expensive stuff ourselves and farm out the hard labor like hanging/finishing 40 sheets of drywall. The 8 sheets was a very small job in which its hard to find somebody to come in and do it. I can tape/finish it while working on other items. A 40 sheet job is $2000-2500 in my area with materials to hang and finish. I would rather spend that time on other things like electrical, plumbing, trim, windows, exc.

They ask for 30-40 sheets per 8 hour shift for union carpenters in Chicago.

Been in trades my whole life. First 14 years as a stone mason. Then commercial driver and bridge builder. Point being we use semi trailers as tool trailers. My company custom made sliding box steel door frame lock covers. Seem to work well. With the recent advances in cordless tools someone who wants to get into a trailer can without a lot of effort. Look at cordless grinders, and now battery powered demo saws.

Started about same age. It gives off a sense of knowledge and confidence to the customer. But gotta be honest if there’s something you can’t do. I shot myself in the foot a few times.

I started 5 years ago myself, I was in my late 30’s and have been steadily growing my business, just incorporated this year and owe a lot of what I have learned over the years to two things, jumping in a doing the work, and this Handy Guy right here. I really appreciate all the content he has been putting out.

You restore my hope. Thought I was too old at 40 changing careers.

@@colbydonnelly6515 ha ha same. Especially when I get to a job and young guys are looking to me to lead. Gotta say "I don't know".

40 is young . Trust us older guys . At 40 I was a bull . Actually felt the best at 35 or 40.

What chair did you go with?

Invest in a sauna or a diy hot tub, you won't regret a minute or a penny invested

Thanks for the tip.

I have it right now . I've had it probably 6 times in my life . Lol it sucks .

I have a similar job. So nice to have it a bit easier, no huge rush most days, good benefits and time off. Good variety of work as well.

For years I had to start the morning off with 4 IBuprofen and 2 cups of coffee. The best thing I can recommend is save and invest your money so you can get of of the labor earlier in life.

Invest in a good mattress. Wife and I both have physical jobs. We paid 6k for a Tempurpedic with the adjustable base and it was well worth it. Also diet really and exercise really makes a difference. I find bike riding really helps my knees. Light weight training is great.

Eat and sleep well, and work out. Do physio and massage therapy when needed. Wear knee pads/have a kneeling cushion and hearing protection. I'm 40 and have been a carpenter/renovation guy since early 20s and body is fine. Also try and switch to lighter maintenance type work as you get older, don't be afraid to sub out heavier work such as large amounts of flooring or drywall boarding.

A lot of guys do one thing (or trade) very well. These are the guys who eventually wear out as they constantly use certain parts of their bodies every day over and over. Like investing, diversity is the key. Get off your knees or forego heavy lifting from time to time, if you can.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

No more ibuprofen for you . Watch what you eat . Drink enough water ect. I'm sure you already know this stuff . I'm in the same boat on the kidney deal.

It's not anymore. Time to clean it up again.

Miguel, it's the same out here in LA. People are tired of the hacks. Professionalism and quality are how you make money in CA!

@@billysyms5761 Exactly. I am also tired of buying garbage. If I am spending money, I want a decent product thats going to last. I am not looking for top of the line fancy, just solid stuff. More $, but well worth it.

I agree...at least here in contra costa country

No one follows the laws there. Learn to fly under the radar.

I agree with you on almost everything. I don't have a webite at the moment. I tried posting online for a while but I got to many "how much do you charge calls". Keep going, I wish you the best.

@@grs84 thank you. Yeah I get those calls too but I never have set charges for much anymore. I just say i'll be glad to take a look and give you an estimate. My biggest problem right now is 2 months back log and customers don't want to wait so that costs me jobs and customers I may never get a 2nd chance with.

- If only there were some sort of generational continuity of knowledge of consequences.of our actions. Maybe a Union of some sort, a kind of a Labor Union where older, wiser people educated the younger and ignorant in the ways of physical deterioration and how to avoid most of it. Nah, 4 Advils and 2 large coffees, to go.

Hey hey now, dont start giving age limits on hard workers. I started my own business 3 years ago with side jobs while working commercial roofing. I put in many 16 hr days at 35 yrs old and now at 37, after punching my foreman in his face, I decided on my own is the way to go (it was self defense). Now i work for myself and will never return to peanuts for payment. Not happening. I've been working on residential properties since i was 3 years old. Started out painting. Yes, i said 3 years old. It was my first paint job on a front door to sell the house after my parents divorce. I worked factories for a long time, commercial roofing for about 4 years. Then started my own thing. I will agree there isnt many my age doing any of this stuff. Better for me then. Price and demand kind of thing.

The only way to not work construction your entire life.

@@zora_noamflannery2548 Schools used to have these thing called Industrial Art classes. You know the wood shop, auto shop, metal shop, etc. Some great genius decided these were not necessary and got rid of them - so they could afford 3 vice principals and a psychologist. Now you got a generation of men who cringe when you shear off a bolt with a 4" grinder. Unions are never the answer either. The best thing they teach is complacency. They broke the mold when they made me. I had to stop playing softball at 41 because I didn't want Tommy John and end up being the one armed tile guy. Other than one trigger finger, I'll work a kid into submission before lunch and dunk on him after work.

@@carcasscruncher9354 I'm just saying it's not for everybody. I was working at 9 for the family business. Heavily involved in Industrial arts in school which gave me a foot up and a job in manufacturing back in the 80's. Because I worked hard, I ended up in inventory / work in process management. I was the boss at 24. But the complacency in the work place turned me off and at 30 started prepping bathtubs for my little brother reglazing business. 3 weeks into that, I took the leap of faith. 6 years later I started my own gig. 33 years later I live comfortably in Southern California and am the King of Bathtub Refinishing. I've acquired 3 licenses along the way, cause I was not meant to do one thing day after day. We all graduate into the remodeling gigs but you realize that you make more money doing the "hit and run" jobs. Plumbing and Shower doors along with the bathtub reglazing - and some handyman stuff, that's how you make it. It also stops the repetitive motion of doing the same thing every day. I've put in many long days like you, you gotta be tougher than a $2 steak to do what we do.

WOW. I'm 44 too. I was on a ladder working on a roof all day. Thanks for the warning. I had a buddy break a leg falling off a roof a few years back. What kind of work do you think you will go into?

@@TheHandymanBusiness I've been thinking about getting into the counter top expoxy business.

I would help for free if someone really needed it. Its not good for business to make a habit out of it.

@@TheHandymanBusiness I see it a lot with widowed women. So many sad stories, plenty of repairs needed and no money.

Ha Ha Ha. I get the question all the time. What shoes do you I wear. What watch do I have on......

Good to see a nutrition reply here. At the end of the day this is why most of us are feeling it. I'm coming from a farm background and our soil isn't what it used to be. Checkout 'biosolids' or 'environmental services' trucks. We're eating each others' shit and it ain't helping.

What did you do before you were a generator tech? I ask because I am 38 making 92K a year but am very unfulfilled. Thinking of joining a local Steamfitters but it's tough giving up the salary and freedom...just don't know what to do.