career changing ?

[mrdelmonti]

That should always be the case Spud
I know what it's like to wait months for my money - often after having shelled out on materials.
So I always make sure I pay anyone that's doing work for me the minute they finish (thumbs)

Same at work - If I get wind any of our QS's are delaying payments to sub-contractors without a good reason, I ask them how they'd like to wait 3 months for their salary - they normally chirp on about having mortgages to pay - so I point out that our subbies are no different.

Having been a QS for a few subbies it's amazing what main contractors think they can get away with! Refreshing to hear of someone that treats them like real people.

[MarkN]

Pete,

My brother was a builder, he also played and then coached rugby.

Two years ago he moved to Australia with his wife and two little girls. He got in as a brick layer and since then he has started working for a private building college, training people for a career in the building trade. He loves his new job and new life.

As you've had such a good career, how about teaching your skills?

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it.

Cheers
Mark

[spasm]

yes mark, ive been thinking about that direction. but i expect i would need all sorts of silly qualifications to do it. im old school i learnt onsite. but yes i will check it out. cheers (thumbs)

[Redmurty]

move to New Zealand they are screaming out for tradesmen at the moment to rebuild Christchurch, start afresh and then branch out over there

cheers Spud

[spasm]

move to New Zealand they are screaming out for tradesmen at the moment to rebuild Christchurch, start afresh and then branch out over there

cheers Spud

that would be a dream but mums very ill, and me kids need me here :pinch:

[Hoggyf]

Teaching could be a good move, I nearly did it a few yrs ago but my then boss talked me into staying. The only thing is that a few mates have done it and you have to loose your professional pride, it's all about numbers these days and if you don't get the correct amount of students through there exams (whether they can do the job or not) then you're not good enough.

Ever thought about doing up property if your nest egg is big enough? Buy a small property, do it up sell it on at a profit, if you're carefull enough choosing your property and do enough to make it look good but not cost a fortune you should do well.

The other thing is building fireplaces and fitting stoves, it's what guys that work for me do, charge a little bit more because sits a specialist job, lot of satisfaction but there is still quite a bit of lifting etc, lintels, stoves and roof work.

[Redmurty]

move to New Zealand they are screaming out for tradesmen at the moment to rebuild Christchurch, start afresh and then branch out over there

cheers Spud

that would be a dream but mums very ill, and me kids need me here :pinch:

best wishes for your mother, but with regards to the kids you take them with you and they have an amazing place to grow up in

cheers spud

[gazxt1200z]

I'd been fitting carpets for 30yrs kept leaving for a yr or 2 doing other things to give me knees and back a break,15 months ago stopped carpets for good as I was getting really decrepid at 50,went driving 7.5t lorries on the agencies still cannot get a full time job with so many doing it for minimum wage[£6.30 an hour for driving a lorry]I am really worried about where the next weeks work is coming from,can't do nothing else now but drive.

[bull]

well, here my view on things, and many wont agree with me, but anyway this the way I see it


heavy and hard work in construction is a young mans game, you make your money at it and then you get out, its that's simple, and even if you don't make money you still get out, and move on to something else


you try and get out, before you body tells you its time to get out,

I remember when I was a young man in America seeing lads in their 60s only barely able to walk and with bad humps in their back from years of working construction, very sad sight, so it was

and I said to myself, I hope that dont happen to me, and it didn't, because I got out in time

[IainD]

If you have been building all your life, why walk away? Project Management has been noted so far, but there are other things you could do such as Building Control, Clerk of Works, Architectural Technician or CDMC. All Building related but on the "shiny Arse" side of things.

Use your experience of the industry. The other benefit is that you can train for these jobs without walking away from what you are doing just yet.

Get in touch with local colleges to see what courses are available.