So I'm 40, Piscataway, been managing a call center for a long time. I like working with my hands, I fix everything at home, and I'm tired of spreadsheets about other people's work.
Problem is I can't decide between electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, and every week I change my mind. Also the money: I make decent now and I know the first year or two is a big cut. And my knees aren't 20 anymore.
For anyone who switched later in life, how did you decide, and how bad was the first year really?
HVAC contractor, owner · 25 years · Middlesex County, NJ
Mentor
Pay-cut math I'd do before deciding:
- Your take-home now vs a helper's hourly rate times realistic hours (not 60/week, assume 45)
- Months of savings that covers the gap for 2 years, not 1
- Whether the shop pays for school, tools, a van, overtime
- Health insurance: who covers it and what it costs you
If the numbers work for 2 years, the age part is the easy part.
Mechanical contractor (HVAC + plumbing) · 24 years · Burlington County, NJ
Mentor
Here's what I look for when I hire, for what it's worth: shows up on time, listens, doesn't need to be told twice. Age isn't on that list. Some of my best guys started in their 30s and 40s.
Appreciate all of this. Kash, the two-year math is the part I hadn't actually done. Going to run real numbers, and ask around about seeing each trade up close before the end of the year.