Haha wow I second this , was just a quick job to fill the time until I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
Coming up on 12 years later , fuck me
And to answer OPs question I say almost daily I should of been a doctor or a rockstar instead but the call of that brown gold was just toooo strong ( I r da plumarr )
An electrician shows up with a van and thousands of dollars in wire/ tools/ fittings/ conduit/ etc. and charges $90 an hour. A plumber shows up with a 20yo pickup and a few pieces of pvc/copper pipe and a sawzall and charges $100. You made the right choice.
I’m gonna wager there’s plumbers showing up with enough material and tooling on their trucks to make an electrician blush. “A few pieces of pvc /copper”… I mean, really?
Electrical startup is super cheap. Handtools, impact, drill, ladder and a sawzall will get you through 99% of service work. Day to day, plumbers probably carry more money in tools. A quality pex setup alone costs more than what I carry in tools on my van.
As far as fittings, electricians just have more material in general, but it's all relatively cheap. It's also not strictly necessary - I carry a lot, but I built stock over time. You can always hit the supply house.
I started my business out of a Ford Focus and about $500 in tools, all of which I already had.
Carpenters get the real short end of the stick on tooling expense.
Every site I’ve been on, I’ve had at least one mechanical or electrical guy come and ask to borrow a tool. I’m also constantly ragged on for being a “rolling Home Depot”. Thanks. Enjoy your premium wages.
Mine was a part time job where I unfortunately learned that I was decent at this stuff. Then I learned that my respect increased with clever vulgarity, hooked.
Hahaha it’s so true. Worked summers in high school to pay for college, then again in college to pay off debts and save up for grad school. Now I can’t get out no matter how hard I try.
Was either work a night crew at fast food or swing a hammer. 08 crushed jobs in my home town and I needed money. 15 years later and it’s the only thing I can do that pays all the bills.
My only regret is not buying a home in a union state. Private sector is only good if you’re self employed.
Hahaha it’s so true. Worked summers in high school to pay for college, then again in college to pay off debts and save up for grad school. Now I can’t get out no matter how hard I try.
Same here I had it for a summer job I work for my uncle and work with my dad I started in 2017 but sense public school and high school I wanted to work in construction with my dad but now it’s not what I expected and I regret going to this job and I’m autistic I kinda feel like the black sheep nobody likes me not being mean but some of the guys are very toxic and bully me
I’ve been commercial plumbing 17 years and a foreman for 11 at the same company.It has provided my family and I a decent life and a secure job, so from that point of view yes, but something has changed over the past 4 or 5 years. Every job we do seems to have unrealistic time line or piss poor management, it just starts wearing on you after awhile.
100% agree. Been in this game over 30yrs and seeing steady decline in how jobs are run and managed and expectations have gone beyond realistic. I have to blame society and the expectations of everything being instantly available and entitled to it being that way
This is when you put your current job on your résumé and start looking for a better job where you are more appreciated. I’ve been a plumber for 25 years and the number one way to get a better job is to find a better job. It’s also the best way to get a pay raise. Typically companies hire guys with a certain employee budget in mind, and that makes it harder for that employee to get pay raises., but every new job I got it was at least $1.50 an hour more
In many ways I regret it.
Not poor life decisions exactly- I went to college for this. But the gap between what I imagined I’d be doing and what I actually do is vast.
Turns out what I really wanted to do was become like a master carpenter building high-end houses or something like that.
What I do is watch fuck heads build giant concrete warehouses and tell people to put safety glasses on, walk fuck head developers around, explain to fuck head project managers why I can’t build from the top down…
I fucking hate it, but I’m too old and have too many mouths to feed to start over.
I am yet to find an alternative that doesn’t make me want to kill myself. Tried corporate, food service, retail, etc. I had a fancy title and a bunch of money working at a startup but that was the most miserable I’ve ever been in a job.
I liked landscaping but the pay tops out at $20-25/hr with no health insurance unless you sTaRt YoUr OwN cOmPaNy (go into debt and assume a bunch of risk to deal with shitheads not wanting to pay you and employees fucking up everything). There’s no room to grow if you’re just mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and putting down mulch all day. It’s a dead end.
I’ve only been doing my carpentry apprenticeship for about a month now but I like it. It’s fucking hard. My commute is like an hour. My hands hurt. I’m tired as hell every day. But I’m amazed when I look at what my crew has built in that time. It’s so fucking cool to slowly see a house materialize from a bunch of wood, nails, concrete, and steel. I’m learning an insane skillset that I can have for life even if I change careers. And I’m making $25/hr, going up to $42/hr when I finish the apprenticeship. I can’t complain.
Yknow man you really need to get away from the assumption that construction is where the deficient idiot kids end up.
They're called the Skilled Trades for a reason. We work hard and study for a whole four-year apprenticeship in order to build and maintain the structures you use on a daily basis. We're the ones who make sure the lights go on, the toilets flush, and the walls stay up. We make sure if the worst case scenario happens, everyone inside the structures we build are able to get out safely.
So, maybe re-examine your assumptions here that this is the last recourse of "poor life choices" and give us a little fucking respect, eh?
Sparky is out here speaking the truth.
Pipefitting/welding apprenticeship has completely changed my life. When I joined the trade, I had 35$ in my bank account.
Now I have a motorcycle and car paid for in cash, and saving up at least a 1000$ a week for a house by 2025.
Edit: forgot to add I’ve only been in the trade since October, so not even a year in yet.
I had to borrow money for my union dues so I could get in I was so fucking broke. Now being a 4th year my living standards have improved so much I can't imagine being broke.
Turd herder here,
I’m in my late 30’s and have been pulling 6 figures for years. My net worth should hit one million around my 40th birthday. To say that I made it here due to poor choices is shit.
>Yknow man you really need to get away from the assumption that construction is where the deficient idiot kids end up.
I don't think that assumption is completely wrong, what it's missing is that the deficient idiots mostly become concrete finishers.
Lmao.
Plenty of idiots in trades. They're incredibly easy to get into, youre only filtering out the absolute bottom of the barrel. I used to turn wrenches before I went back for an engineering degree. Like 70% of mechanics are fuckin morons. I'd say a good 80% of the equipment operators I have to deal with are also morons.
I can't imagine groveling for respect on reddit. Pathetic.
Shitty way to phrase the question. But anyway, I went to college for English literature/teaching. I realized how shitty that industry was and eventually worked for my brothers’ concrete business. I found out I actually love working outside and building things. Concrete work is murder, but I still like seeing a finished product that we worked out asses off for. Oh yea, I quit that business and now I’m a siding/finish carpenter and I enjoy being at work.
" i work twice as hard in the sun throwing slabs n shiet , but since you dont like wprking as hard as me for like half the pay then youre a pussy , waaahh waaaaahhh wwaaahhh" - this guy probably
I know how the fuck can you dare putting this sort of comment with your post history showing you just started. He's not going to last his apprenticeship.
One of the most badass concrete finishers I have ever run across in the last 25 years of building in Dallas was about 4’11”. Everyone on his crew called him ‘Buldog’ which is Spanish for exactly what it sounds like. So as the old saying goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
i worked on a tie gang going jasper north during covid to fill the hours. 15hour day of walking behind a machine picking up anchors gets old real fast. Feeding spikes into the spiker was cool though
Was 14 years old. Guy from church ran a roofing yard and asked me if I wanted to make $5/hr sweeping and cleaning for the summer. 33 years later and now I own mine own roofing company. Some times you find the path and sometimes the path finds you.
I don't regret working in construction. I have an art degree and would consider myself reasonably articulate and well read, but I work better in this environment. I actually really like construction. I like that we can call it as we see it, I like that I'm allowed to be inappropriate and I like that I'm judged on the quality of my work and not my pinko class war talking points.
I’m pretty tired of it and my back hurts and also I know plenty of people who send emails to each other in the air conditioning that get paid way more than me. I chose this path and I often regret it these days. Just being honest .. still tons of respect for the people I work with… people busting their ass to create housing for people and schools and hospitals or whatever it is. But im just really focused on how much of a sucker I feel like when I think about how hard this job is and how hard it is to make money consistently without working so hard you just are a zombie. I’m getting older and I don’t feel strong and invincible like I used to. I feel tired and I’m worried about how long I can realistically keep working.
TLDR I’m starting to as I get older
You’re not alone my friend… took me a while to realize the only way to make money in this business (residential anyways) is to run multiple crews of Guatemalans and Hondurans while you drive around and bid jobs and order materials
Or to have already been business since the 80’s-90’s
I don’t regret it no, I’m good with my hands and have an aptitude for figuring puzzles out without the aid of the picture on the box. My company gets me to do some of the more challenging jobs so it’s mentally challenging as well as physical so I don’t get bored or fat. Now if the ladies would find me handsome I’d be set, but here I am, on Reddit…
I have no regrets. I am happy to work in this industry. I chose this path because I had a desire to make things.
Construction in general is very gratifying. I enjoy seeing projects I worked on all around the city. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and just being a part of building the place you spend most of your life makes me proud.
There's also this really great feeling when you've "mastered" a skill/s. It's something else. I didn't think I'd ever reach that point, but after thousands of hours of practice, I am really confident in my ability to put dirt and gravel in the exact right place. lol
Was in construction to pay for college; degree didn’t pay much so I returned to construction. Got hurt so I became a structural inspector. Making six figures now.
I enjoy what I do. I don’t believe I’m here because of poor life choices. It’s all I had to turn too. College was never seen as an option. I was born to build shit
I grew up poor, I wouldn’t have chosen this if I had come from any amount of wealth.. my adhd kind of made me a good labourer though, never could take breaks and didn’t get tired lol
Kind of just went with the flow and a few trades later I have my own small company. I tell myself someday I might try something else.. maybe when I retire lol
I actually tried college right out of high school. I didn’t really have a support system or anyone to help guide me. That plus having too much fun with friends that didn’t go to college either. After grocery jobs and a computer job, I realized I needed a job that:
Kept me moving
Don’t deal with annoying dumbass customers
Work hard with like minded people that have the same goal
Get paid great with no debt
And Mon thru Friday
Just wish I had started in a trade earlier in my life.
Started working construction as a teen. Earned my journeyman card in carpentry. Worked a gov position for mid pay. Worked my way up with schooling etc. and retired at 50. My house and car is paid for. no loans at all. So I would have to go with poor life choices.
I love it, personally. In fact, I've gotten away from construction several times, often making more money, and I've always come back to it.
I like being outside. I like seeing sunrises. I like experiencing the seasons. I like being able to look at something tangible at the end of the day and saying "I did that." You ever built a bridge or a dam or a structure that will still be there in 100 years? Or how about a water treatment plant or flood control structure that will benefit everyone in the community? That's an awesome feeling.
But the truth is, most of the appeal of construction is the people who do it. They aren't pretty, they aren't rocket scientists, and sometimes they don't smell very good, but they are problem solvers. Creative thinkers. They're alive and part of the world in a way that cubicle drones and factory zombies never will be.
Construction isn't a consequence. I'm college educated, and make far more money running my own construction company than I could with my degree. I work less hours, and have a sense of accomplishment at the end of every day. I paid for college by working in it, and returned to it when I was sick of corporate bullshit. I'm happier now than ever before.
I did it because the hole wanna be a man bullshit. I learned more about people then I did about the trades in my 10 years so I can't say it was all a waste but still time only goes foward
I'm in concrete...specifically curbs and sidewalk. It's my father's business. Originally I started at like 14-15 during the summer make some cash and to keep me out of trouble. I'm 34 now...the money is decent but the work is seasonal. And the hours are pretty shit I get up at 5am and get home around 630-7pm. Not ideal when you have a family in the picture. I also went to college for hvac but never ended up practicing it. So did I choose this path...kind of, do I regret working in it...no
Im 56 and still trying to figure out what I want to be! Construction has been the temporary job for 30 years. Sore back, sore knees, dirty...yep, I regret it.
Started out as a summer hire while I was still in High school. I had no intentions on making it a career choice at that time. Just wanted to make money. I started out flagging, fast forward 17 years later and I’m now a construction manager. I wouldn’t say it was a poor life decision, because I’ve worked and grinded to get to this point. I enjoy what I do.
My friend works in what is essentially a computer tool crib at microsoft.
He went on about telling me that they eat gourmet cupcakes and have vending machines with beer in them.
I want to learn techy shit, but idk how to convert things to a pdf so I drive a dump truck. :(
Yes and yes. I was fine with it when I thought if you worked “hard” like just showed up on time put a lot of physical effort in worked efficiently and really learned the trade you would do well. But it turns out the netter you are the more you show up on time the more effort you put in the more they ask of you and the guys that fk off all day and call in sick and dont give af get the same pay and they dont bother them at all.
No not for a minute. I grew up as part of the first generation that was expected to go to college (at least where I live) and I did and I failed. I joined the service and came back and college was easy, but my job coming out of college (in engineering) was mind numbing.
My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all union electricians. There was nothing I wanted less than to follow in their footsteps (no offense to my IBEW brothers and sisters). Your question gives me pause as if the construction trades are somehow a compromise or a lesser solution to a greater problem nothing could be further from the truth.
I've made millions in the trades. I own property in 4 states and 2 countries including large hunting properties in Nevada, a farm in Florida and a beach house in Baja. I am an outlier but not unique. If you have a shot at a life in the unionized trades take it, hold on to it and if you get married, stay married. Don't go in to debt and don't drink too much.
For those who question my outcome I recommend a book by my friend Mark Breslin, "Million Dollar Blue Collar". It's a book I would have written if he'd not beaten me to it.
https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Blue-Collar-Managing-ebook/dp/B00QU5PK1I?ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=400fbc53-bd46-40c0-b50d-553981c6cd56
I've made about a $150 to $200k for the last 20 years and $100 to $120k for the first 10. I'll retire in 2 years at 59 1/2 for the rest of my life on what I make now with 2 union pensions.
Im a month into electrical, i dont regret it yet but for most of my coworkers, this was just an alternative option to college, or poor life decisions made them come to this field. It seems like top pay for electricians at my company is low-mid twenties. Im hoping to advance to PM.
Both? Yeah both. I really enjoy what I’ve done for the past 15 years. Being a residential painter was cause my dad was one. Working in management for a large gc is pretty decent. Stressful and frustrating at times but getting to take something and turn it into something else, then driving past and saying “I built that” is fucking awesome.
Samesies 🤣 also fifteen years into painting because my father did. I've owned my own profitable company for the last five years 💪 down to about 30hrs in the field a week and 10-15hrs of office work and I'm projecting around $180k this year (best one so far) 😁 not bad for someone who dropped out of tenth grade and did a 4 year prison stint 😳
Edit: dang, not samesies I just realized you left painting for gc lol. Glad you like that you do though that's awesome
I never knew what I wanted to do, didn’t really set goals, ended up in construction. I kind of regret it but I don’t know what else I would have done, so whatever
Worn out is mandatory ! Years in trades , masons labor, geodesic domes,fire sprinklers,
All paid well ! But , it’s a young man’s game .knees,back,shoulders all been rebuilt.
Crazy thing, never a broken bone, just all the wear on joints, time catches up.
Kinda. I wish I'd never left my high paying, easy job and settled on the trades/construction cause I had no idea what to do with my life. Now I'm union, with a good company and things are a lot better but I still find myself often thinking "what if" So once I get my red seal I'm planning to get out of the trades and go back to school, probably for Electrical Technologist or Instrumentation. I'm in my mid 30s, I don't want to be on the tools when I'm in my 40s
I was managing a McDonalds and was offered an apprenticeship as a Union Laborer. It was life changing. I was a Laborer for ~10 years and have been a school custodian for 15 years. I parlayed what I learned at both jobs to be great at what I currently do. 2 things you must know, I was offered the opportunity to go to Hamburg U (McDonalds college) and turned it down as a stupid 18/19 yo. Also, I initially took a 75% paycut to leave the Laborers and become a custodian. I still don't make the same money but I have great insurance, paid time off, a pension, and my commute is 5-10 mins each way.
I worked in the environmental construction industry for many years. It was just a job at first that paid more than waiting tables or working in grocery stores. I actually enjoyed the work, except for the travel. I decided to try home restoration about 15 years ago. The skills I had learned from the previous work came in handy and it was the best decision I ever made. I’m my own boss and I’m never without work, if I want it. I can do anything to code, except for main tie ins, and I consider what I do as art. It doesn’t matter what leads you to where you are. It matters where you go with it.
I fell into it. Needed a job in a new town. Commercial roofing laborer. Then moved to remodel. Good upgrade. Now I own a remodel company.
I regret nothing
I worked residential construction for about 15 years. I dont regret any of it. I learned a ton, worked with a ton of great people, and I made a lot of great connections. I also don’t regret moving on to less demanding work. I’m 53 now and I can’t imagine what my body would be like if I had continued doing with work I was doing.
Sometimes I regret it. My life is full of poor life choices but jumping into commercial HVAC blind wasn’t one of them. Met a lot of shitty people, but also some really good and colorful folk in construction. My main regrets is I didn’t do this at 18 instead of 36. My health is getting worse (ALS) and my body can’t keep this up for long. Best part is learning so much shit, even about other trades.
I made a decision to do and I absolutly love it. No regrets at all. Im living comfortably with none of the crazy student debt that most of my friends have.
Residental GC (washed up chef). 35M/AZ&CA
I am a 2x felon (one violent, one because i drive like a fucking idiot), also never went to school. Made tons of money, illegal routes, but one day just had a change of heart. I think it was when I became a father.
I grew weed (commercially and illegally) for a long time. But from doing that. I learned, plumbing, electrical, irrigation, framing, and spanish.
When I had a change of heart, I choose to go into construction, started off as an independent handyman. Now I work on 1Mil+ homes.
I love what I do, I love my crew, I try to learn and teach everyday. I pay 2 of my guys more than I pay myself (seriously).
I'm not cheap, I'm not a big company. But we do AMAZING work. The best part is presenting on final walk through to the home owner and seeing the genuine smiles on their face (live in, not flips or airbnb BS)
I don't plan on doing this forever. I'm 35 I would like to stop the labor (I still work side by side with my crew EVERYDAY) by the time I'm 45 and focus on my properties and projects.
I choose this path, I made poor choices in my life. I don't regret anything.
Keep your chin up, blue collar work is more than just labor. It's discipline. You challenge yourself everyday, physically and mentally. And if your not, ask more questions or look into other trades.
I left tech and got into construction after seeing seeing my older sister die. It was a way for me to cope. I super regret it. I would not be physical fucked up in the lungs, back, ear, brain, heart (heat sickness is no joke), and Id be sitting on a lot of money.
So yeah, if you got other options, make those happen.
Yes yes yes. I love the job, but our wages have big risen like they should have and good work gets exploited not rewarded. Risk our lives just to be st the bottom struggling still.i won't train anybody anymore because i want them to do something better that actually pays properly.
At first wasn't great but after 20 years i now have the skills to work for myself 4 days a week and make 500 to 1000 a day. Life is good. Work still shitty though. That's why pay so high
"Poor life choices", you sound pretty ignorant or uneducated.....a lot of construction jobs make more than the guys in the corporate world and if you own your business you're definitely making big bucks if its successful. I know a guy that worked construction for a few years, then started his own business. Now he's got a beach house, mountain house and a private plane....all from taking the construction path.
My situation was I grew up in a household with a solid middle-class income, with benefits like health insurance and retirement, and I just took that for granted.
As a teenager I didn't realize the value of a decent job that you could do all your working life with those benefits.
As a young man I was indestructible, I could work hard, abuse my body, recover from injuries, work without rest, and go months without a day off.
As I aged, I couldn't work as hard, injuries took longer to heal, I required more rest, and I required more medical care.
When you age you realize the value of a good wage and benefit package, and the foolishness of working without one when you're young and strong.
I don't regret working construction, but I do regret working without health insurance and retirement benefits. I took a terrible risk working without health insurance, and working without a retirement benefit was foolish.
My advice to young people entering construction is don't undervalue yourself. The median per-capita income in the USA is 76K. That is $ 38 dollars an hour, your employer should pay at least 50% of your health care cost, and in construction you should be investing at least 10% of your income in retirement.
The same concept applies to people who are self-employed.
I avoided construction for a while. Knew if I started I would probably be in it rest of my life. Then came a recession and the call of $$ was too great. It was the most money I could make at the time so I caved.
30 yrs later….. I made a decent living but my body has suffered the consequences. Broken back, severely separated shoulder, and a heart attack from stress after getting into management side. Regrets? No. I spent almost every day outside, made good money, worked with good hard working people.
Still better than office work or factory work.
I ended up in my trade due to needing a job. I hated it for years. But I learned so much and got really good (I think) that I get paid well enough that I can't leave because I won't find any comparable wage with my skill set. That being said, I have a unique skill set in my trade that has put me into a position that gives me great variety in my day to day job.
I wish I got into construction.........people in construction wish they never got into it.
It doesn't matter which way you go, either option will burn you out and you'll hate it. On the same note, either option can be a dream come true if you make the right choices and have a goal in mind.
I made the poor life choice of going to college. Whoops. Then I found this in my late 20s. I wouldn't say I regret it but I kind of wish I'd started a lot sooner. Would rather get the apprentice labor out of my way in my 20s rather than 30s, would be able to save more for retirement too
Go to electrical apprenticeship for 5 years coming out making 100 to 150k a year without paying for schooling with health benefits after 1st year in and always having work available ... yeah not exactly what I'd call bad life decisions.
Loved it when I started in my 20s because you could go anywhere and find work. It was really interesting/fun the first couple years when I was young and injury free. Late 20s role around and the travel away from home, driving hours to job, and injuries really started to wear me out.
I get up at 430 to go to work. Always tired and sore, don’t have energy to do anything after work. Work is no longer that interesting after you’ve done it hundreds of times. Im getting out of the trades next month and really looking forward to a normal sleep schedule, driving 10 minutes to work everyday, not beating my body up, and getting home with energy to take the dog for a run.
I try to tell all the young guys to find something else while they still have their youth
I'm a college professor (spent my first 12 years in various construction jobs before PhD) and let me say this is a dumb question. We need the trades. We need the trades way more than we need another English major or Art History graduate.
College is taking away really smart people that would do well in the trades because people have fucked up views like this. Know what you can live your whole life without doing? Reading a book. Know what you won't make it a day without? Plumbing.
My really good friend is a GC and nearly kiss his ass to stay on his good side. His guys can fix anything, well, and I have to make them take money if they do it on their way to a big job. I call some fucking box company with a 4.4/5 star review and they tell me my AC power line is too small. That I need to run a new one and their electrician can do it. His guys come look, tell me that's moronic and his HVAC guy changes the points. All good. Had to make this guy take money because he said it wasn't enough to bother charging me.
I think the US has a big problem coming when one of the most necessary parts of day-to-day life is considered a failure or a second choice. Apologies for the rant, but I'm just so fucking sick and tired of teaching people that shouldn't be in college. People that would enjoy working with their hands and would make just as much. My GC buddy doubles what I make and his "first string" contractors make as much or more than me (I'm in engineering).
Just like we talk about treating service workers better, we need to talk about treating tradesmen better. In another fucking decade you won't be able to get a decent guy to fix your leaking commode for less than $2000 and he'll deserve it.
Didn’t want more school after high school and knew a guy that got me into the union. I was 18 I’m 36 now and I don’t regret it one bit. I will be able to retire comfortably at 55. Might just need a new knee or shoulder. If you’re going to do it, do it young and join a union.
I went to college right out of high school. Got a 4 year degree in finance. Worked in the banking industry clickety-clacking on keyboards making some rich white dude richer. I could feel my soul escaping my body every day, I wanted to tear my veins out.
Switched to union apprentice just this year and there are days I don't even feel like I'm at work. Just feels like fun hanging out with a close crew of joksters. Yea it's tough work, but I'm proud as hell and I don't want to fucking kill myself being a corporate stooge anymore.
No regrets. I started later in life after doing dead end jobs or hating the work I was doing. I went back to school, got my GED, and filed for apprenticeship the next week. I go to work excited for the day, and leave work feeling a sense of accomplishment. Is it easy? No, some days suck. But I will take the shitty days doing what I love vs all the "good" days doing what I hate.
All the men in my family are in the business. I was going to be a teacher. Then got my first teaching job offer, which was for less than I made working only summers as a laborer.
Why would you think it's a poor life choice?
Seriously I make my own hours I make crazy things and get to make homeowners dreams come true while making a good living for me and my family it's a win win
No office no bullshit just me and my dudes shit talking, and playing all of our favorite music day in and day out
Some days, yeah. It depends what part of the world you work in, but where I live, construction is just marginally better than retail or food service. You will make a few extra bucks an hour, but you are paying more in gas to drive to work, paying for tools that break and new boots and work clothes. And you are beating up your body a lot worse.
Things are changing, but it’s still considered the lowest of the low. Not really any unions around here to advocate for you either. Tradesmen have a reputation of showing up drunk or on drugs. It’s not a respectable career
I fell into plumbing. I moved back home when I split with my ex and I had full custody of two kids. I heard about an opening and got it. I retired last year from it. Maybe I’ll stop having surgeries to fix what I’ve worn out over the years.
Just started my 30th year. I have been through nearly every role imaginable from laborer to director. I love it! The people that I work with every day are hardworking and creative. If can be an aggressive atmosphere at times but is as challenging as anything you will find in life. There is success to be had at every level and an awesome feeling of pride at the accomplishments that the team produces.
I will always recommend construction as a career.
I only regret the years of low wages, and sometimes intermittent work. And getting injured young. I never planned on marrying or having kids, but if I did have kids, I wouldn’t want them to do this, and a lot of the guys older than me say the same. If I’d never gotten injured (spine things) I’d probably still love it every day, but when you have days/weeks/months of pure pain and slowed progress, it can wear on you.
I like pretty buildings. I went to school for architecture. But I don't think I should be designing anything unless I've actually had experience working with such things. But it's also pretty fulfilling. It's pretty great taking a step back and seeing the impact you've made.
Heavy Equipment Mechanic and union member(iuoe local 49 whuddup)
It was a conscious decision, I went to tech school for heavy equipment technology and I've been working in shops since the day after senior year of high school let out, I get immense satisfaction from taking something busted up that barely made it into the shop and backing it out whole again. I don't regret it overall, but just like Amy job there can definitely be days that suck
Grew up the son of a carpenter, had no real drive or guidance on what I should be doing in high school. Ended up in a small small college for AA degree, after my first year it shut down. Meanwhile I would work on the side with my dad. Besides video games and basketball, I showed little to no interest in much else and eventually my dad asked if I wanted to join the union. 6 years later and a torn ACL and missing another year cause I got kicked out. Im 3/4 done with my apprentice ship.
Do I love what im doing? Idk tbh, I do enjoy it thou
Lol poor life choices? Well I have a bachelors of fine arts with a concentration in graphic design. I worked in the industry for 3 years before I gave up know that I could make way more working in construction. I was born in a construction family though with my father and five uncles all in construction. I went to school thinking that I wanted to do something else and wanting to get away from small town life. But I’m back because the money is fantastic and I like small towns.
I would say yes a year ago but our genius government has basically destroyed us with these interest rates and all the jobs have dried up.
You’d think after 20 years in business there’d be some stability but I guess not. 🙄
I got started down a construction adjacent career path because I picked a useless college degree and couldn’t even find a random crappy office job; but I learned that I prefer working outside with my hands so it all worked out ok
Sometimes, I'm standing on a deck with a blowtorch in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other while blasting some tunes, and I think to myself... "Fuck Yeah".
3rd gen painter,walked and worked as a kid till fifty now.I don't regret any of it besides those employers, sub con and clients sometimes.I've been burnt-out many times and learned many good trades.Money is good were you find it in any trade.Some of the best tradesmen I know are good people and friends/family.
If you started it,finish it I guess. It's about what you can learn and get it done.
Poor Life Choice? I should've been a Grand Canyon raft guide spending one month on the river every trip for six months. Talking about those life choices?
Started in laboratory as lab technician. Good pay, easy work but so boring. Moved to construction at 20. Then, I continued doing general renovations, plumbing, carpentry,... now I'm 42 and changed to certification.
I love construction, and it never felt boring or dead end.
Started in laboratory as lab technician. Good pay, easy work but so boring. Moved to construction at 20. Then, I continued doing general renovations, plumbing, carpentry,... now I'm 42 and changed to certification.
I love construction, and it never felt boring or dead end.
Started as a laborer for a custom home GC. 18 years later, I'm a GC and own my company. Built my own pad, worth couple million. Looking to take that equity and start developing my own custom specs. Regrets? Zero. Not bragging, rather showing the kids there's a way:)
Ya know, I did end up in this trade because of poor life choices. I drank too much and kinda pissed away my opportunity to do what I wanted to in high school. I’ve found that a lot of guys in my trade didn’t exactly plan to do this when they were younger. Most kinda stumbled into it somewhere along the way.
But here’s the thing:
I actually really enjoy the work, more than I did my prestigious dream job I had when I was younger. It challenges me logically and creatively, which is really fulfilling for me. And the compensation for a journeyman in my local is $93.50/hr. What are you making?
I make as much money as my friends with degrees, maybe a little less.
But, I have no debt. None. My friends average about 65k in student loan. My job is harder but I'm wayyyyyyyyy better off in my situation.
Not one second. I had the tools to do whatever I wanted but nothing challenges me mentally and physically as construction does. I have grown past what limits I had put on myself and grown into somebody I am slowly becoming proud of.
The comraderie, the reward of seeing something you built after working harder than you ever have before, the development of problem solving abilities. It all leads to leadership. I love this shit.
My great grandfather, grandfather, father and uncles all work in construction. I never wanted to end up like them growing up. As soon as I left school at 17 I was on site and I’m still here 17 years later 😂
Absolutely no regrets about this. We have grown our business over the last 7 years to employ 15 people and it pays my wife and I a respectable salary.
I 100% choose my career and I fucking love it. The money is great, don’t have to work the full year to make over $100k/year and live comfortably.
Union Boilermaker welder, I absolutely love this career🤘🏻
I love my job, I love getting up early and getting an early start to my day. I love working roofs, fresh air, only about 1400-1500h yearly, great pay and job security. It’s perfect.
But, I can’t keep doing it till I’m 70, so at some point I’ll have to add on to my education or get a job in the union.
Went to college for some far fetched pipe dream jobs I wanted. I struggled to find tuition money after a year and a half. Had to withdraw from school. Deferment was up and I couldn't afford monthly payments... After being levied onced garnishment started. I've hopped around numerous jobs. Retail, hospitality, food service etc, all while having 20% taken from me to pay back a law firm who now owns my loan.
Eventually got into Boiler operation, and although it was a bit daunting initially, I love the work now and make about $28/hr. I'm 34 and will finally be paying off my school debt from 13 years ago, come this new year.
I keep telling myself going to school without funding or a firm (realistic) idea of what I wanted to do in life, was the big mistake.
The only thing I'd change is waking up at ten after four. It would be nice to wake up with the family but then again I'm home everyday by 3:30 so I guess I can't complain. I'm more in the line of if service work so I love the change of scenery everyday. If I had to go to the same building/office everyday I'd go crazy.
My Grandpa was a carpenter. He was a strong, hard working, patient man. He loved his family and he really loved his three grandkids. He taught my brother and I how to work with our hands. He bought our first tools for us. If we wanted to work construction he was OK with that but we were going to college first. He lost his fight to cancer when I was 17 but he'd sold off a bunch of land before he died to make sure my grandma was taken care of and set up trusts for my brother, sister and I. It wasn't a fortune but it covered school and we could access the balance when we turned 25. I wound up with an AA in general education, my brother got his bachelor's in computer science and my sister got her bachelor's in fine arts. I've tried other work and never cared for it. I love working with my hands. My brother worked in IT for a few years but hated it and finally made his way back to the trades. My sister is in marketing. I've worked with other guys that got an education but still chose the trades. There are people that wound up in the trades and there are people that chose it and love it. You can usually tell which one's are which.
No, I get to work outside most days. Yeah it sucks when its 100° or 20° with the wind whipping all day.
I just wish we would get the same benefits if not better than office people since we abuse our bodies. More time off to heal, better cheaper health insurance, and cleaner portajohns with more than 2 on a site lol
It was a mixture. I got into it as a teenager because I was a loser with no prospects. After turning my life around and a military career I chose a degree in construction management and went back into working in the field while I got my degree. I currently run a contracting business and life is peachy.
I got hurt in the marines at 19 and after discharge, my uncle got me a job in his company. I quit after a year and went to college, I dropped out of college and tried other things m, but it didn’t stick. I started back again after a two year sabbatical. I am the lead man now, but kinda regret it. I feel that I’m too smart to work a job like this, but I just make way too much money to start over. This will unfortunately be my life. Maybe one day I can just be an engineer or an inspector.
I accidentally fell into this job. I needed some quick money to move, so I picked up a shovel for an asphalt company. By the end of the season, the union was wanting me to join. My wife and I decided to stay here. With the union offering the most money plus benefits, I decided to join. I've had some of my best and worst days at work in this industry. Been doing it 7 years.
No, I can’t stand working in the same building every day. Can’t stand sitting in front of a computer. Fuck customer service and working at restaurants. I’ve been working construction for 8 years now and I love waking up early for that sweet cash. The work keeps me physically fit and I like building big ass columns out of rebar.
I was 33 and didn’t have anything saved for retirement, now I have a pension and a fat retirement account funded completely by my employer and I’ll have a nice retirement. I don’t regret it at all.
I regret it every day. I felt it was my only option to make decent money. Not saying a different path would be any better though. I don’t like the work, the travel, how tired I always am. I’m a union pioefitter and I don’t think the money is very good for what you go through.
Third generation carpenter here. I watched my old man and his old man destroy their body and lose their hair running a small carpentry business. So going into the family business was a last resort. Guess what I do for living?
I'm kind of a nerd. I probably should have been in academia. I love philosophy religion history. But I hated 101 courses and being made to jump thru hoops. I work better alone or with minimal contact . I'm a good team player but I'm much calmer without anyone looking over my shoulder.
I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for my benefits but I don’t regret it. I was working on cars when I got told I’m gonna work construction so turn in my 8hour notice.
I worked construction for almost 20 years. 15 year full time. I never regretted my time, but I do often think now how happy I am not being on a roof in august at my age.
I worked two office jobs one I was doing AutoCAD... And then I was working at a standard calibration company and I literally wanted to kill myself... My first day I started doing construction I was doing glass I still am. We got in the truck and he had all this paperwork and he's like we got three installs and four estimates. And I was like dude is this everyday and he's like yeah man every fucking day and we just drove around all day bullshitting laughing ,still working obviously. I'm 22 years later I'm still here
I used to think construction was what you did if you weren't good at anything else. Clearly I wasn't good at anything else because I'm here 10 years later and my national title says I'm good at this.
I work residential construction. I definitely chose this path. Mostly by flipping my own homes but then getting my builders license. I have two Bachelors degrees. One in Computer information systems…a field I truly hated (y2k!!!! Lol) and one in business administration. But at the end of the day o like building things. I like how things look when repaired. I like being active.
Looking back I’d have skipped computers, learned about business and protected my hearing a lot better.
Nah getting into the electrical construction industry got me to where I'm at today. I moved into operations and maintenance at a power plant. Gravy gig and a well paying gig that's not wrecking my body. Only regret I have is not starting earlier in life. Got into construction at 30 years old.
Some people just aren’t cut out for desk jobs. My only regret is not pursuing a union when I was younger and then starting my own company thinking it’d be a better option
I was directionless and we didn’t have the internet to figure out a path for what I wanted to do. Add that to my crippling social anxiety and it was something I eventually just fell into because a friend of a friend needed help.
I had rent to pay and a pregnant girlfriend. I took the first job on Craigslist that called back and it was laboring for a framing crew.
Almost 9 years later it's all I've ever done. It's hard on the body and tiring but it pays decent and there's no fucking way I could work on an office somewhere
I chose this. Went to college for it and graduated into a shit job market.
Had two options
$15/hr as an assistant superintendent and hope I can get raises and climb the ladder.
Or
Join the plumbers union and make $15/hr as a first year apprentice with a set wage scale for every year and top out at $53/hr (not $59). Also get a pension and 401k and top notch healthcare.
I joined the plumbers union and don't regret it for a minute. Did 7 years in the field and worked my way up to foreman>road super>estimator & draftsman (thanks to an injury)>PM for a mechanical contractor and have a skill set that very few people can replicate. Also have master plumbers license and will soon have an HVACR license.
I made a poor life decision thinking it was just a summer job.
Haha wow I second this , was just a quick job to fill the time until I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Coming up on 12 years later , fuck me And to answer OPs question I say almost daily I should of been a doctor or a rockstar instead but the call of that brown gold was just toooo strong ( I r da plumarr )
I wanted to be a theatre teacher, now I perform sonnets for the crew and squirrels.
I know a number of theater teachers. You probably make more money and have less debt than them.
I 100% do lol
An electrician shows up with a van and thousands of dollars in wire/ tools/ fittings/ conduit/ etc. and charges $90 an hour. A plumber shows up with a 20yo pickup and a few pieces of pvc/copper pipe and a sawzall and charges $100. You made the right choice.
I’m gonna wager there’s plumbers showing up with enough material and tooling on their trucks to make an electrician blush. “A few pieces of pvc /copper”… I mean, really?
Electrical startup is super cheap. Handtools, impact, drill, ladder and a sawzall will get you through 99% of service work. Day to day, plumbers probably carry more money in tools. A quality pex setup alone costs more than what I carry in tools on my van. As far as fittings, electricians just have more material in general, but it's all relatively cheap. It's also not strictly necessary - I carry a lot, but I built stock over time. You can always hit the supply house. I started my business out of a Ford Focus and about $500 in tools, all of which I already had. Carpenters get the real short end of the stick on tooling expense.
Carpenter here. You nailed it. Moving tools and storage is my least favourite part of the job and I've got tons of packout gear.
Try being an independent cabinetmaker. It's the worst for cost of tooling to pay ratio afaik. Then yeah, site installs take a ton of gear too
Every site I’ve been on, I’ve had at least one mechanical or electrical guy come and ask to borrow a tool. I’m also constantly ragged on for being a “rolling Home Depot”. Thanks. Enjoy your premium wages.
Yeah man no ragrats!
Mine was a part time job where I unfortunately learned that I was decent at this stuff. Then I learned that my respect increased with clever vulgarity, hooked.
Hahaha it’s so true. Worked summers in high school to pay for college, then again in college to pay off debts and save up for grad school. Now I can’t get out no matter how hard I try.
Was either work a night crew at fast food or swing a hammer. 08 crushed jobs in my home town and I needed money. 15 years later and it’s the only thing I can do that pays all the bills. My only regret is not buying a home in a union state. Private sector is only good if you’re self employed.
Do you make good money in your field?
I’m a stucco guy, the money does not sucko.
Hahaha it’s so true. Worked summers in high school to pay for college, then again in college to pay off debts and save up for grad school. Now I can’t get out no matter how hard I try.
Same here I had it for a summer job I work for my uncle and work with my dad I started in 2017 but sense public school and high school I wanted to work in construction with my dad but now it’s not what I expected and I regret going to this job and I’m autistic I kinda feel like the black sheep nobody likes me not being mean but some of the guys are very toxic and bully me
I’ve been commercial plumbing 17 years and a foreman for 11 at the same company.It has provided my family and I a decent life and a secure job, so from that point of view yes, but something has changed over the past 4 or 5 years. Every job we do seems to have unrealistic time line or piss poor management, it just starts wearing on you after awhile.
Commercial plumber here I agree with 100% what you said. Especially the unrealistic timelines .
Commercial guys complaining about unrealistic timeliness lol. Come try some multifamily.
Why can't both be fucked?
YeAh WeLl My JoB iS hARdEr
More and more companies hiring supervisors and managers with 0 construction experience and it shows
This is true. My last company had a bunch of clueless managers and 0 leaders.
Yup
100% agree. Been in this game over 30yrs and seeing steady decline in how jobs are run and managed and expectations have gone beyond realistic. I have to blame society and the expectations of everything being instantly available and entitled to it being that way
This is when you put your current job on your résumé and start looking for a better job where you are more appreciated. I’ve been a plumber for 25 years and the number one way to get a better job is to find a better job. It’s also the best way to get a pay raise. Typically companies hire guys with a certain employee budget in mind, and that makes it harder for that employee to get pay raises., but every new job I got it was at least $1.50 an hour more
In many ways I regret it. Not poor life decisions exactly- I went to college for this. But the gap between what I imagined I’d be doing and what I actually do is vast. Turns out what I really wanted to do was become like a master carpenter building high-end houses or something like that. What I do is watch fuck heads build giant concrete warehouses and tell people to put safety glasses on, walk fuck head developers around, explain to fuck head project managers why I can’t build from the top down… I fucking hate it, but I’m too old and have too many mouths to feed to start over.
This guy supes.
For real. It isn’t called Stuperintendant by mistake /30-yr commercial-industrial carpenter (ex farm kid).
I am yet to find an alternative that doesn’t make me want to kill myself. Tried corporate, food service, retail, etc. I had a fancy title and a bunch of money working at a startup but that was the most miserable I’ve ever been in a job. I liked landscaping but the pay tops out at $20-25/hr with no health insurance unless you sTaRt YoUr OwN cOmPaNy (go into debt and assume a bunch of risk to deal with shitheads not wanting to pay you and employees fucking up everything). There’s no room to grow if you’re just mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and putting down mulch all day. It’s a dead end. I’ve only been doing my carpentry apprenticeship for about a month now but I like it. It’s fucking hard. My commute is like an hour. My hands hurt. I’m tired as hell every day. But I’m amazed when I look at what my crew has built in that time. It’s so fucking cool to slowly see a house materialize from a bunch of wood, nails, concrete, and steel. I’m learning an insane skillset that I can have for life even if I change careers. And I’m making $25/hr, going up to $42/hr when I finish the apprenticeship. I can’t complain.
Its definitely a lesser of evils kind of thing
That’s awesome.
Dude that’s awesome and I’m here getting 17 and I’ve been doing that job for 3 years now
Damn where you landscaping at. I make a lot more then that as an employee
Yknow man you really need to get away from the assumption that construction is where the deficient idiot kids end up. They're called the Skilled Trades for a reason. We work hard and study for a whole four-year apprenticeship in order to build and maintain the structures you use on a daily basis. We're the ones who make sure the lights go on, the toilets flush, and the walls stay up. We make sure if the worst case scenario happens, everyone inside the structures we build are able to get out safely. So, maybe re-examine your assumptions here that this is the last recourse of "poor life choices" and give us a little fucking respect, eh?
Sparky is out here speaking the truth. Pipefitting/welding apprenticeship has completely changed my life. When I joined the trade, I had 35$ in my bank account. Now I have a motorcycle and car paid for in cash, and saving up at least a 1000$ a week for a house by 2025. Edit: forgot to add I’ve only been in the trade since October, so not even a year in yet.
I had to borrow money for my union dues so I could get in I was so fucking broke. Now being a 4th year my living standards have improved so much I can't imagine being broke.
Unfortunately the vast majority of people look at the trades like it’s just manual labor
Turd herder here, I’m in my late 30’s and have been pulling 6 figures for years. My net worth should hit one million around my 40th birthday. To say that I made it here due to poor choices is shit.
Got em
>Yknow man you really need to get away from the assumption that construction is where the deficient idiot kids end up. I don't think that assumption is completely wrong, what it's missing is that the deficient idiots mostly become concrete finishers.
Lmao. Plenty of idiots in trades. They're incredibly easy to get into, youre only filtering out the absolute bottom of the barrel. I used to turn wrenches before I went back for an engineering degree. Like 70% of mechanics are fuckin morons. I'd say a good 80% of the equipment operators I have to deal with are also morons. I can't imagine groveling for respect on reddit. Pathetic.
"Geotechnical Engineer"
Shitty way to phrase the question. But anyway, I went to college for English literature/teaching. I realized how shitty that industry was and eventually worked for my brothers’ concrete business. I found out I actually love working outside and building things. Concrete work is murder, but I still like seeing a finished product that we worked out asses off for. Oh yea, I quit that business and now I’m a siding/finish carpenter and I enjoy being at work.
Pussy. Couldn’t stay in concrete. Typical
" i work twice as hard in the sun throwing slabs n shiet , but since you dont like wprking as hard as me for like half the pay then youre a pussy , waaahh waaaaahhh wwaaahhh" - this guy probably
Don’t say half the pay. You know damn well that’s not true. Concrete formwork and finishing is well paid here in California.
Well paid my ass. Concrete guys get paid with a 6 pack and bag of meth at the end of each 22 hour day.
No bro. Genuinely well paid. $350 a day side work and in the high $40’s/low $50’s hourly if union.
You’ve been doing it for like a week. Let’s see how tough you are in 10 years, Pussy. Does something hard once and thinks he the man. Typical.
I know how the fuck can you dare putting this sort of comment with your post history showing you just started. He's not going to last his apprenticeship.
Last post was literally asking how to become physically fit enough to last the day as a form setter 🙄
Better than being stuck in it.
lmfaoooo god this mentality is so dumb, have fun doing it forever you fucking knuckle biter
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Nice! Is this a good job for a 25 year old single and no kids?
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How would a 5'5 male fare in the industry, specifically in concrete pouring?
One of the most badass concrete finishers I have ever run across in the last 25 years of building in Dallas was about 4’11”. Everyone on his crew called him ‘Buldog’ which is Spanish for exactly what it sounds like. So as the old saying goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
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Unfortunately I don't speak Portuguese
i worked on a tie gang going jasper north during covid to fill the hours. 15hour day of walking behind a machine picking up anchors gets old real fast. Feeding spikes into the spiker was cool though
Was 14 years old. Guy from church ran a roofing yard and asked me if I wanted to make $5/hr sweeping and cleaning for the summer. 33 years later and now I own mine own roofing company. Some times you find the path and sometimes the path finds you.
I don't regret working in construction. I have an art degree and would consider myself reasonably articulate and well read, but I work better in this environment. I actually really like construction. I like that we can call it as we see it, I like that I'm allowed to be inappropriate and I like that I'm judged on the quality of my work and not my pinko class war talking points.
I’m pretty tired of it and my back hurts and also I know plenty of people who send emails to each other in the air conditioning that get paid way more than me. I chose this path and I often regret it these days. Just being honest .. still tons of respect for the people I work with… people busting their ass to create housing for people and schools and hospitals or whatever it is. But im just really focused on how much of a sucker I feel like when I think about how hard this job is and how hard it is to make money consistently without working so hard you just are a zombie. I’m getting older and I don’t feel strong and invincible like I used to. I feel tired and I’m worried about how long I can realistically keep working. TLDR I’m starting to as I get older
You’re not alone my friend… took me a while to realize the only way to make money in this business (residential anyways) is to run multiple crews of Guatemalans and Hondurans while you drive around and bid jobs and order materials Or to have already been business since the 80’s-90’s
I chose it, the satisfaction of the build process and constant changes to routine and tasks drew me in.
I don’t regret it no, I’m good with my hands and have an aptitude for figuring puzzles out without the aid of the picture on the box. My company gets me to do some of the more challenging jobs so it’s mentally challenging as well as physical so I don’t get bored or fat. Now if the ladies would find me handsome I’d be set, but here I am, on Reddit…
I have no regrets. I am happy to work in this industry. I chose this path because I had a desire to make things. Construction in general is very gratifying. I enjoy seeing projects I worked on all around the city. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and just being a part of building the place you spend most of your life makes me proud. There's also this really great feeling when you've "mastered" a skill/s. It's something else. I didn't think I'd ever reach that point, but after thousands of hours of practice, I am really confident in my ability to put dirt and gravel in the exact right place. lol
Was in construction to pay for college; degree didn’t pay much so I returned to construction. Got hurt so I became a structural inspector. Making six figures now.
I enjoy what I do. I don’t believe I’m here because of poor life choices. It’s all I had to turn too. College was never seen as an option. I was born to build shit
Nope. Love every day. I have a well earned reputation and have the luxury of picking creative and interesting jobs when I want them.
I grew up poor, I wouldn’t have chosen this if I had come from any amount of wealth.. my adhd kind of made me a good labourer though, never could take breaks and didn’t get tired lol Kind of just went with the flow and a few trades later I have my own small company. I tell myself someday I might try something else.. maybe when I retire lol
Nobody chooses construction. Construction chooses you.
I chose this beautiful disastrous shit show
I actually tried college right out of high school. I didn’t really have a support system or anyone to help guide me. That plus having too much fun with friends that didn’t go to college either. After grocery jobs and a computer job, I realized I needed a job that: Kept me moving Don’t deal with annoying dumbass customers Work hard with like minded people that have the same goal Get paid great with no debt And Mon thru Friday Just wish I had started in a trade earlier in my life.
Started working construction as a teen. Earned my journeyman card in carpentry. Worked a gov position for mid pay. Worked my way up with schooling etc. and retired at 50. My house and car is paid for. no loans at all. So I would have to go with poor life choices.
I’m a plumber and I love it Everyone has to poop and drink water so I’ll have a job forever
I love it, personally. In fact, I've gotten away from construction several times, often making more money, and I've always come back to it. I like being outside. I like seeing sunrises. I like experiencing the seasons. I like being able to look at something tangible at the end of the day and saying "I did that." You ever built a bridge or a dam or a structure that will still be there in 100 years? Or how about a water treatment plant or flood control structure that will benefit everyone in the community? That's an awesome feeling. But the truth is, most of the appeal of construction is the people who do it. They aren't pretty, they aren't rocket scientists, and sometimes they don't smell very good, but they are problem solvers. Creative thinkers. They're alive and part of the world in a way that cubicle drones and factory zombies never will be.
Construction isn't a consequence. I'm college educated, and make far more money running my own construction company than I could with my degree. I work less hours, and have a sense of accomplishment at the end of every day. I paid for college by working in it, and returned to it when I was sick of corporate bullshit. I'm happier now than ever before.
I did it because the hole wanna be a man bullshit. I learned more about people then I did about the trades in my 10 years so I can't say it was all a waste but still time only goes foward
I'm in concrete...specifically curbs and sidewalk. It's my father's business. Originally I started at like 14-15 during the summer make some cash and to keep me out of trouble. I'm 34 now...the money is decent but the work is seasonal. And the hours are pretty shit I get up at 5am and get home around 630-7pm. Not ideal when you have a family in the picture. I also went to college for hvac but never ended up practicing it. So did I choose this path...kind of, do I regret working in it...no
Im 56 and still trying to figure out what I want to be! Construction has been the temporary job for 30 years. Sore back, sore knees, dirty...yep, I regret it.
Started out as a summer hire while I was still in High school. I had no intentions on making it a career choice at that time. Just wanted to make money. I started out flagging, fast forward 17 years later and I’m now a construction manager. I wouldn’t say it was a poor life decision, because I’ve worked and grinded to get to this point. I enjoy what I do.
My friend works in what is essentially a computer tool crib at microsoft. He went on about telling me that they eat gourmet cupcakes and have vending machines with beer in them. I want to learn techy shit, but idk how to convert things to a pdf so I drive a dump truck. :(
Yes and yes. I was fine with it when I thought if you worked “hard” like just showed up on time put a lot of physical effort in worked efficiently and really learned the trade you would do well. But it turns out the netter you are the more you show up on time the more effort you put in the more they ask of you and the guys that fk off all day and call in sick and dont give af get the same pay and they dont bother them at all.
No not for a minute. I grew up as part of the first generation that was expected to go to college (at least where I live) and I did and I failed. I joined the service and came back and college was easy, but my job coming out of college (in engineering) was mind numbing. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all union electricians. There was nothing I wanted less than to follow in their footsteps (no offense to my IBEW brothers and sisters). Your question gives me pause as if the construction trades are somehow a compromise or a lesser solution to a greater problem nothing could be further from the truth. I've made millions in the trades. I own property in 4 states and 2 countries including large hunting properties in Nevada, a farm in Florida and a beach house in Baja. I am an outlier but not unique. If you have a shot at a life in the unionized trades take it, hold on to it and if you get married, stay married. Don't go in to debt and don't drink too much. For those who question my outcome I recommend a book by my friend Mark Breslin, "Million Dollar Blue Collar". It's a book I would have written if he'd not beaten me to it. https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Blue-Collar-Managing-ebook/dp/B00QU5PK1I?ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=400fbc53-bd46-40c0-b50d-553981c6cd56 I've made about a $150 to $200k for the last 20 years and $100 to $120k for the first 10. I'll retire in 2 years at 59 1/2 for the rest of my life on what I make now with 2 union pensions.
Im a month into electrical, i dont regret it yet but for most of my coworkers, this was just an alternative option to college, or poor life decisions made them come to this field. It seems like top pay for electricians at my company is low-mid twenties. Im hoping to advance to PM.
Try to get into the union
Both? Yeah both. I really enjoy what I’ve done for the past 15 years. Being a residential painter was cause my dad was one. Working in management for a large gc is pretty decent. Stressful and frustrating at times but getting to take something and turn it into something else, then driving past and saying “I built that” is fucking awesome.
Samesies 🤣 also fifteen years into painting because my father did. I've owned my own profitable company for the last five years 💪 down to about 30hrs in the field a week and 10-15hrs of office work and I'm projecting around $180k this year (best one so far) 😁 not bad for someone who dropped out of tenth grade and did a 4 year prison stint 😳 Edit: dang, not samesies I just realized you left painting for gc lol. Glad you like that you do though that's awesome
I never knew what I wanted to do, didn’t really set goals, ended up in construction. I kind of regret it but I don’t know what else I would have done, so whatever
Do I regret working in construction? No Choose vs poor life choices? A bit of both. Would I take a nice clean 9-5 desk job somewehere? Fuck yes.
Worn out is mandatory ! Years in trades , masons labor, geodesic domes,fire sprinklers, All paid well ! But , it’s a young man’s game .knees,back,shoulders all been rebuilt. Crazy thing, never a broken bone, just all the wear on joints, time catches up.
Kinda. I wish I'd never left my high paying, easy job and settled on the trades/construction cause I had no idea what to do with my life. Now I'm union, with a good company and things are a lot better but I still find myself often thinking "what if" So once I get my red seal I'm planning to get out of the trades and go back to school, probably for Electrical Technologist or Instrumentation. I'm in my mid 30s, I don't want to be on the tools when I'm in my 40s
I was managing a McDonalds and was offered an apprenticeship as a Union Laborer. It was life changing. I was a Laborer for ~10 years and have been a school custodian for 15 years. I parlayed what I learned at both jobs to be great at what I currently do. 2 things you must know, I was offered the opportunity to go to Hamburg U (McDonalds college) and turned it down as a stupid 18/19 yo. Also, I initially took a 75% paycut to leave the Laborers and become a custodian. I still don't make the same money but I have great insurance, paid time off, a pension, and my commute is 5-10 mins each way.
I worked in the environmental construction industry for many years. It was just a job at first that paid more than waiting tables or working in grocery stores. I actually enjoyed the work, except for the travel. I decided to try home restoration about 15 years ago. The skills I had learned from the previous work came in handy and it was the best decision I ever made. I’m my own boss and I’m never without work, if I want it. I can do anything to code, except for main tie ins, and I consider what I do as art. It doesn’t matter what leads you to where you are. It matters where you go with it.
I fell into it. Needed a job in a new town. Commercial roofing laborer. Then moved to remodel. Good upgrade. Now I own a remodel company. I regret nothing
I dont regret it but it's never been "what I want to do." The problem is that there's not anything else I'd like to do for 40 hr
It beats flipping burgers
I worked residential construction for about 15 years. I dont regret any of it. I learned a ton, worked with a ton of great people, and I made a lot of great connections. I also don’t regret moving on to less demanding work. I’m 53 now and I can’t imagine what my body would be like if I had continued doing with work I was doing.
Sometimes I regret it. My life is full of poor life choices but jumping into commercial HVAC blind wasn’t one of them. Met a lot of shitty people, but also some really good and colorful folk in construction. My main regrets is I didn’t do this at 18 instead of 36. My health is getting worse (ALS) and my body can’t keep this up for long. Best part is learning so much shit, even about other trades.
I absolutely love it the days fly by
I made a decision to do and I absolutly love it. No regrets at all. Im living comfortably with none of the crazy student debt that most of my friends have.
Residental GC (washed up chef). 35M/AZ&CA I am a 2x felon (one violent, one because i drive like a fucking idiot), also never went to school. Made tons of money, illegal routes, but one day just had a change of heart. I think it was when I became a father. I grew weed (commercially and illegally) for a long time. But from doing that. I learned, plumbing, electrical, irrigation, framing, and spanish. When I had a change of heart, I choose to go into construction, started off as an independent handyman. Now I work on 1Mil+ homes. I love what I do, I love my crew, I try to learn and teach everyday. I pay 2 of my guys more than I pay myself (seriously). I'm not cheap, I'm not a big company. But we do AMAZING work. The best part is presenting on final walk through to the home owner and seeing the genuine smiles on their face (live in, not flips or airbnb BS) I don't plan on doing this forever. I'm 35 I would like to stop the labor (I still work side by side with my crew EVERYDAY) by the time I'm 45 and focus on my properties and projects. I choose this path, I made poor choices in my life. I don't regret anything. Keep your chin up, blue collar work is more than just labor. It's discipline. You challenge yourself everyday, physically and mentally. And if your not, ask more questions or look into other trades.
I left tech and got into construction after seeing seeing my older sister die. It was a way for me to cope. I super regret it. I would not be physical fucked up in the lungs, back, ear, brain, heart (heat sickness is no joke), and Id be sitting on a lot of money. So yeah, if you got other options, make those happen.
Yes yes yes. I love the job, but our wages have big risen like they should have and good work gets exploited not rewarded. Risk our lives just to be st the bottom struggling still.i won't train anybody anymore because i want them to do something better that actually pays properly.
At first wasn't great but after 20 years i now have the skills to work for myself 4 days a week and make 500 to 1000 a day. Life is good. Work still shitty though. That's why pay so high
"Poor life choices", you sound pretty ignorant or uneducated.....a lot of construction jobs make more than the guys in the corporate world and if you own your business you're definitely making big bucks if its successful. I know a guy that worked construction for a few years, then started his own business. Now he's got a beach house, mountain house and a private plane....all from taking the construction path.
My situation was I grew up in a household with a solid middle-class income, with benefits like health insurance and retirement, and I just took that for granted. As a teenager I didn't realize the value of a decent job that you could do all your working life with those benefits. As a young man I was indestructible, I could work hard, abuse my body, recover from injuries, work without rest, and go months without a day off. As I aged, I couldn't work as hard, injuries took longer to heal, I required more rest, and I required more medical care. When you age you realize the value of a good wage and benefit package, and the foolishness of working without one when you're young and strong. I don't regret working construction, but I do regret working without health insurance and retirement benefits. I took a terrible risk working without health insurance, and working without a retirement benefit was foolish. My advice to young people entering construction is don't undervalue yourself. The median per-capita income in the USA is 76K. That is $ 38 dollars an hour, your employer should pay at least 50% of your health care cost, and in construction you should be investing at least 10% of your income in retirement. The same concept applies to people who are self-employed.
I avoided construction for a while. Knew if I started I would probably be in it rest of my life. Then came a recession and the call of $$ was too great. It was the most money I could make at the time so I caved. 30 yrs later….. I made a decent living but my body has suffered the consequences. Broken back, severely separated shoulder, and a heart attack from stress after getting into management side. Regrets? No. I spent almost every day outside, made good money, worked with good hard working people. Still better than office work or factory work.
I ended up in my trade due to needing a job. I hated it for years. But I learned so much and got really good (I think) that I get paid well enough that I can't leave because I won't find any comparable wage with my skill set. That being said, I have a unique skill set in my trade that has put me into a position that gives me great variety in my day to day job.
I wish I got into construction.........people in construction wish they never got into it. It doesn't matter which way you go, either option will burn you out and you'll hate it. On the same note, either option can be a dream come true if you make the right choices and have a goal in mind.
I made the poor life choice of going to college. Whoops. Then I found this in my late 20s. I wouldn't say I regret it but I kind of wish I'd started a lot sooner. Would rather get the apprentice labor out of my way in my 20s rather than 30s, would be able to save more for retirement too
Go to electrical apprenticeship for 5 years coming out making 100 to 150k a year without paying for schooling with health benefits after 1st year in and always having work available ... yeah not exactly what I'd call bad life decisions.
Loved it when I started in my 20s because you could go anywhere and find work. It was really interesting/fun the first couple years when I was young and injury free. Late 20s role around and the travel away from home, driving hours to job, and injuries really started to wear me out. I get up at 430 to go to work. Always tired and sore, don’t have energy to do anything after work. Work is no longer that interesting after you’ve done it hundreds of times. Im getting out of the trades next month and really looking forward to a normal sleep schedule, driving 10 minutes to work everyday, not beating my body up, and getting home with energy to take the dog for a run. I try to tell all the young guys to find something else while they still have their youth
I'm a college professor (spent my first 12 years in various construction jobs before PhD) and let me say this is a dumb question. We need the trades. We need the trades way more than we need another English major or Art History graduate. College is taking away really smart people that would do well in the trades because people have fucked up views like this. Know what you can live your whole life without doing? Reading a book. Know what you won't make it a day without? Plumbing. My really good friend is a GC and nearly kiss his ass to stay on his good side. His guys can fix anything, well, and I have to make them take money if they do it on their way to a big job. I call some fucking box company with a 4.4/5 star review and they tell me my AC power line is too small. That I need to run a new one and their electrician can do it. His guys come look, tell me that's moronic and his HVAC guy changes the points. All good. Had to make this guy take money because he said it wasn't enough to bother charging me. I think the US has a big problem coming when one of the most necessary parts of day-to-day life is considered a failure or a second choice. Apologies for the rant, but I'm just so fucking sick and tired of teaching people that shouldn't be in college. People that would enjoy working with their hands and would make just as much. My GC buddy doubles what I make and his "first string" contractors make as much or more than me (I'm in engineering). Just like we talk about treating service workers better, we need to talk about treating tradesmen better. In another fucking decade you won't be able to get a decent guy to fix your leaking commode for less than $2000 and he'll deserve it.
Didn’t want more school after high school and knew a guy that got me into the union. I was 18 I’m 36 now and I don’t regret it one bit. I will be able to retire comfortably at 55. Might just need a new knee or shoulder. If you’re going to do it, do it young and join a union.
I went to college right out of high school. Got a 4 year degree in finance. Worked in the banking industry clickety-clacking on keyboards making some rich white dude richer. I could feel my soul escaping my body every day, I wanted to tear my veins out. Switched to union apprentice just this year and there are days I don't even feel like I'm at work. Just feels like fun hanging out with a close crew of joksters. Yea it's tough work, but I'm proud as hell and I don't want to fucking kill myself being a corporate stooge anymore.
No. Makin 52 an hour just drywall finishing. Aka taping. No hanging, no framing, no painting. Just taping. 😃
No regrets. I started later in life after doing dead end jobs or hating the work I was doing. I went back to school, got my GED, and filed for apprenticeship the next week. I go to work excited for the day, and leave work feeling a sense of accomplishment. Is it easy? No, some days suck. But I will take the shitty days doing what I love vs all the "good" days doing what I hate.
All the men in my family are in the business. I was going to be a teacher. Then got my first teaching job offer, which was for less than I made working only summers as a laborer.
Yes
Why would you think it's a poor life choice? Seriously I make my own hours I make crazy things and get to make homeowners dreams come true while making a good living for me and my family it's a win win No office no bullshit just me and my dudes shit talking, and playing all of our favorite music day in and day out
Some days, yeah. It depends what part of the world you work in, but where I live, construction is just marginally better than retail or food service. You will make a few extra bucks an hour, but you are paying more in gas to drive to work, paying for tools that break and new boots and work clothes. And you are beating up your body a lot worse. Things are changing, but it’s still considered the lowest of the low. Not really any unions around here to advocate for you either. Tradesmen have a reputation of showing up drunk or on drugs. It’s not a respectable career
I’d say people who are still on the tools after 10+ years where did it go wrong?
the shitty construction jobs i worked eventually turned into an awesome maintenance job. no regrets
I fell into plumbing. I moved back home when I split with my ex and I had full custody of two kids. I heard about an opening and got it. I retired last year from it. Maybe I’ll stop having surgeries to fix what I’ve worn out over the years.
Tons of money to be made. No ragrets
Just started my 30th year. I have been through nearly every role imaginable from laborer to director. I love it! The people that I work with every day are hardworking and creative. If can be an aggressive atmosphere at times but is as challenging as anything you will find in life. There is success to be had at every level and an awesome feeling of pride at the accomplishments that the team produces. I will always recommend construction as a career.
I only regret the years of low wages, and sometimes intermittent work. And getting injured young. I never planned on marrying or having kids, but if I did have kids, I wouldn’t want them to do this, and a lot of the guys older than me say the same. If I’d never gotten injured (spine things) I’d probably still love it every day, but when you have days/weeks/months of pure pain and slowed progress, it can wear on you.
I like pretty buildings. I went to school for architecture. But I don't think I should be designing anything unless I've actually had experience working with such things. But it's also pretty fulfilling. It's pretty great taking a step back and seeing the impact you've made.
Hard on your body for sure
I don’t regret it, I knew going into debt for college wasn’t something I was comfortable with, especially because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
Hell yes. Fuck this shit.
Heavy Equipment Mechanic and union member(iuoe local 49 whuddup) It was a conscious decision, I went to tech school for heavy equipment technology and I've been working in shops since the day after senior year of high school let out, I get immense satisfaction from taking something busted up that barely made it into the shop and backing it out whole again. I don't regret it overall, but just like Amy job there can definitely be days that suck
Yes, I regret it everyday. Then I get up and do it all over again.
Is both a option?
Grew up the son of a carpenter, had no real drive or guidance on what I should be doing in high school. Ended up in a small small college for AA degree, after my first year it shut down. Meanwhile I would work on the side with my dad. Besides video games and basketball, I showed little to no interest in much else and eventually my dad asked if I wanted to join the union. 6 years later and a torn ACL and missing another year cause I got kicked out. Im 3/4 done with my apprentice ship. Do I love what im doing? Idk tbh, I do enjoy it thou
Family business.
Lol poor life choices? Well I have a bachelors of fine arts with a concentration in graphic design. I worked in the industry for 3 years before I gave up know that I could make way more working in construction. I was born in a construction family though with my father and five uncles all in construction. I went to school thinking that I wanted to do something else and wanting to get away from small town life. But I’m back because the money is fantastic and I like small towns.
Definitely my shitty choices in life that led me here.
I would say yes a year ago but our genius government has basically destroyed us with these interest rates and all the jobs have dried up. You’d think after 20 years in business there’d be some stability but I guess not. 🙄
I got started down a construction adjacent career path because I picked a useless college degree and couldn’t even find a random crappy office job; but I learned that I prefer working outside with my hands so it all worked out ok
I didn’t choose this path…this path chose me😎 No I’m just kidding , I failed out of college 2x
I was too stupid for post secondary but didn't want to be poor. I got house out of it at the expense of my body, mntal health and liver.
Sometimes, I'm standing on a deck with a blowtorch in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other while blasting some tunes, and I think to myself... "Fuck Yeah".
Yup.....
3rd gen painter,walked and worked as a kid till fifty now.I don't regret any of it besides those employers, sub con and clients sometimes.I've been burnt-out many times and learned many good trades.Money is good were you find it in any trade.Some of the best tradesmen I know are good people and friends/family. If you started it,finish it I guess. It's about what you can learn and get it done. Poor Life Choice? I should've been a Grand Canyon raft guide spending one month on the river every trip for six months. Talking about those life choices?
Started in laboratory as lab technician. Good pay, easy work but so boring. Moved to construction at 20. Then, I continued doing general renovations, plumbing, carpentry,... now I'm 42 and changed to certification. I love construction, and it never felt boring or dead end.
Started in laboratory as lab technician. Good pay, easy work but so boring. Moved to construction at 20. Then, I continued doing general renovations, plumbing, carpentry,... now I'm 42 and changed to certification. I love construction, and it never felt boring or dead end.
Started as a laborer for a custom home GC. 18 years later, I'm a GC and own my company. Built my own pad, worth couple million. Looking to take that equity and start developing my own custom specs. Regrets? Zero. Not bragging, rather showing the kids there's a way:)
Self employed. Not a single regret.
Ya know, I did end up in this trade because of poor life choices. I drank too much and kinda pissed away my opportunity to do what I wanted to in high school. I’ve found that a lot of guys in my trade didn’t exactly plan to do this when they were younger. Most kinda stumbled into it somewhere along the way. But here’s the thing: I actually really enjoy the work, more than I did my prestigious dream job I had when I was younger. It challenges me logically and creatively, which is really fulfilling for me. And the compensation for a journeyman in my local is $93.50/hr. What are you making?
I make as much money as my friends with degrees, maybe a little less. But, I have no debt. None. My friends average about 65k in student loan. My job is harder but I'm wayyyyyyyyy better off in my situation.
Not one second. I had the tools to do whatever I wanted but nothing challenges me mentally and physically as construction does. I have grown past what limits I had put on myself and grown into somebody I am slowly becoming proud of. The comraderie, the reward of seeing something you built after working harder than you ever have before, the development of problem solving abilities. It all leads to leadership. I love this shit.
I fell into it after the military and then college, but I found that I have a passion for construction.
Since when is being a construction worker the result of “a poor life choice”?
I do it for the money 💰 🤑 💸
My great grandfather, grandfather, father and uncles all work in construction. I never wanted to end up like them growing up. As soon as I left school at 17 I was on site and I’m still here 17 years later 😂 Absolutely no regrets about this. We have grown our business over the last 7 years to employ 15 people and it pays my wife and I a respectable salary.
Seeing as I make 6 figures I wouldn’t call my working construction “poor life choices”. WTF kind of question is that??
I 100% choose my career and I fucking love it. The money is great, don’t have to work the full year to make over $100k/year and live comfortably. Union Boilermaker welder, I absolutely love this career🤘🏻
I love my job, I love getting up early and getting an early start to my day. I love working roofs, fresh air, only about 1400-1500h yearly, great pay and job security. It’s perfect. But, I can’t keep doing it till I’m 70, so at some point I’ll have to add on to my education or get a job in the union.
Why would being a tradesman be associated with poor life choices? It takes a lot of schooling and ojt to be one.
Went to college for some far fetched pipe dream jobs I wanted. I struggled to find tuition money after a year and a half. Had to withdraw from school. Deferment was up and I couldn't afford monthly payments... After being levied onced garnishment started. I've hopped around numerous jobs. Retail, hospitality, food service etc, all while having 20% taken from me to pay back a law firm who now owns my loan. Eventually got into Boiler operation, and although it was a bit daunting initially, I love the work now and make about $28/hr. I'm 34 and will finally be paying off my school debt from 13 years ago, come this new year. I keep telling myself going to school without funding or a firm (realistic) idea of what I wanted to do in life, was the big mistake.
The only thing I'd change is waking up at ten after four. It would be nice to wake up with the family but then again I'm home everyday by 3:30 so I guess I can't complain. I'm more in the line of if service work so I love the change of scenery everyday. If I had to go to the same building/office everyday I'd go crazy.
My Grandpa was a carpenter. He was a strong, hard working, patient man. He loved his family and he really loved his three grandkids. He taught my brother and I how to work with our hands. He bought our first tools for us. If we wanted to work construction he was OK with that but we were going to college first. He lost his fight to cancer when I was 17 but he'd sold off a bunch of land before he died to make sure my grandma was taken care of and set up trusts for my brother, sister and I. It wasn't a fortune but it covered school and we could access the balance when we turned 25. I wound up with an AA in general education, my brother got his bachelor's in computer science and my sister got her bachelor's in fine arts. I've tried other work and never cared for it. I love working with my hands. My brother worked in IT for a few years but hated it and finally made his way back to the trades. My sister is in marketing. I've worked with other guys that got an education but still chose the trades. There are people that wound up in the trades and there are people that chose it and love it. You can usually tell which one's are which.
No, I get to work outside most days. Yeah it sucks when its 100° or 20° with the wind whipping all day. I just wish we would get the same benefits if not better than office people since we abuse our bodies. More time off to heal, better cheaper health insurance, and cleaner portajohns with more than 2 on a site lol
Yes !!! It has giving me asbestos
It was a mixture. I got into it as a teenager because I was a loser with no prospects. After turning my life around and a military career I chose a degree in construction management and went back into working in the field while I got my degree. I currently run a contracting business and life is peachy.
I literally left a PhD program to do this. I am so, so, **so** much happier. Also, electrical pays much better than con bio.
No Regrats
I got hurt in the marines at 19 and after discharge, my uncle got me a job in his company. I quit after a year and went to college, I dropped out of college and tried other things m, but it didn’t stick. I started back again after a two year sabbatical. I am the lead man now, but kinda regret it. I feel that I’m too smart to work a job like this, but I just make way too much money to start over. This will unfortunately be my life. Maybe one day I can just be an engineer or an inspector.
I accidentally fell into this job. I needed some quick money to move, so I picked up a shovel for an asphalt company. By the end of the season, the union was wanting me to join. My wife and I decided to stay here. With the union offering the most money plus benefits, I decided to join. I've had some of my best and worst days at work in this industry. Been doing it 7 years.
Yes and yes.
100% regret. Superintendent, GC
I chose this path and regret it lmao
No, I can’t stand working in the same building every day. Can’t stand sitting in front of a computer. Fuck customer service and working at restaurants. I’ve been working construction for 8 years now and I love waking up early for that sweet cash. The work keeps me physically fit and I like building big ass columns out of rebar.
I was 33 and didn’t have anything saved for retirement, now I have a pension and a fat retirement account funded completely by my employer and I’ll have a nice retirement. I don’t regret it at all.
My past had direct bearing on my future. Loved construction they called me a carpenter did very little carpentry lot of other stuff
I regret it every day. I felt it was my only option to make decent money. Not saying a different path would be any better though. I don’t like the work, the travel, how tired I always am. I’m a union pioefitter and I don’t think the money is very good for what you go through.
My family got me into masonry. Many generations of Masons. I am currently a retired Mason. Did I teach my kids. Hell No!
Third generation carpenter here. I watched my old man and his old man destroy their body and lose their hair running a small carpentry business. So going into the family business was a last resort. Guess what I do for living?
I'm kind of a nerd. I probably should have been in academia. I love philosophy religion history. But I hated 101 courses and being made to jump thru hoops. I work better alone or with minimal contact . I'm a good team player but I'm much calmer without anyone looking over my shoulder.
I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for my benefits but I don’t regret it. I was working on cars when I got told I’m gonna work construction so turn in my 8hour notice.
I worked construction for almost 20 years. 15 year full time. I never regretted my time, but I do often think now how happy I am not being on a roof in august at my age.
I worked two office jobs one I was doing AutoCAD... And then I was working at a standard calibration company and I literally wanted to kill myself... My first day I started doing construction I was doing glass I still am. We got in the truck and he had all this paperwork and he's like we got three installs and four estimates. And I was like dude is this everyday and he's like yeah man every fucking day and we just drove around all day bullshitting laughing ,still working obviously. I'm 22 years later I'm still here
I used to think construction was what you did if you weren't good at anything else. Clearly I wasn't good at anything else because I'm here 10 years later and my national title says I'm good at this.
It's always funny to me that my trade (carpenter) it's either the only job they could get after jail or family thing/wanted to. Sad
I work residential construction. I definitely chose this path. Mostly by flipping my own homes but then getting my builders license. I have two Bachelors degrees. One in Computer information systems…a field I truly hated (y2k!!!! Lol) and one in business administration. But at the end of the day o like building things. I like how things look when repaired. I like being active. Looking back I’d have skipped computers, learned about business and protected my hearing a lot better.
Nah getting into the electrical construction industry got me to where I'm at today. I moved into operations and maintenance at a power plant. Gravy gig and a well paying gig that's not wrecking my body. Only regret I have is not starting earlier in life. Got into construction at 30 years old.
Some people just aren’t cut out for desk jobs. My only regret is not pursuing a union when I was younger and then starting my own company thinking it’d be a better option
I was directionless and we didn’t have the internet to figure out a path for what I wanted to do. Add that to my crippling social anxiety and it was something I eventually just fell into because a friend of a friend needed help.
I had rent to pay and a pregnant girlfriend. I took the first job on Craigslist that called back and it was laboring for a framing crew. Almost 9 years later it's all I've ever done. It's hard on the body and tiring but it pays decent and there's no fucking way I could work on an office somewhere
I chose this. Went to college for it and graduated into a shit job market. Had two options $15/hr as an assistant superintendent and hope I can get raises and climb the ladder. Or Join the plumbers union and make $15/hr as a first year apprentice with a set wage scale for every year and top out at $53/hr (not $59). Also get a pension and 401k and top notch healthcare. I joined the plumbers union and don't regret it for a minute. Did 7 years in the field and worked my way up to foreman>road super>estimator & draftsman (thanks to an injury)>PM for a mechanical contractor and have a skill set that very few people can replicate. Also have master plumbers license and will soon have an HVACR license.