Author Topic: Getting started with a contracting sideline  (Read 2697 times)

kristina

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Getting started with a contracting sideline
« on: February 07, 2017, 03:00:17 PM »
MMM has written about what sounds like apprenticing for a carpenter or general contractor as kind of a crash-course in how to build/fix houses.  I would love to do this.  I've done some basic home repairs, but I'm not sure how turn this into a job.  I figure the best thing would be to see if a contractor will hire me, but I've only ever had white collar jobs, so I feel pretty clueless about how to find a good contractor to work for, approach them, and convince them to hire on a 30-something woman part-time.

Anyone have any advice?

DaveR

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 243
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2017, 01:09:52 PM »
Perhaps start with some volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, or similar in your area.

kristina

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2017, 03:16:59 PM »
That's brilliant, thank you!  I just signed up and it looks like they've got all sort of opportunities to learn exactly the kinds of things I want to!

WSUCoug1994

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 537
  • Location: Bay Area, California
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2017, 07:16:39 PM »
You might find value in the free weekend classes at your local Home Depot.  They are quite good.

kristina

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2017, 10:15:41 AM »
Just an update: I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity this week and it was great.  I'm doing the tiling workshop at Home Depot next weekend, and I just drafted a letter to a contractor who I hired in the past to see if he needed any extra hands.  Wish me luck!

Smokystache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 574
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2017, 02:38:42 PM »
Thanks for the update. Way to take the bull by the horns and go for it. Best wishes!!

Blatant

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 176
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2017, 07:42:56 AM »
That's awesome. I'm super-interested in this topic. Please keep updating.

RunningintoFI

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 157
  • Paid to optimize. Love not to.
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2017, 03:14:06 PM »
Agree with Blatant that this is an awesome topic that you should keep updating everyone on!

kristina

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Getting started with a contracting sideline
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2017, 08:07:05 AM »
Okay, so I emailed the contractor!  I spent a long time working on the email, outlining (concisely) that I was really interested in this stuff but had limited experience and what I had done to try to gain some experience.  He emailed me back and honestly, I was too nervous to look at his email for a couple of hours.  However, when I finally worked up my nerve, he had emailed me: "This is an intriguing development. I can discuss with my partner and see if we can integrate you in some capacity." Phew!

We exchanged a couple more emails about my interests, if I'd be okay with it being not a regular schedule (which I'm very okay with) and... I'm in! Looks like I'll be working on carpentry, plastering, rough framing (no finishing stuff until I have more experience), even some plumbing and electrical! Optimism + writing skills FTW!