[Zeke]

I think you guys missed on cabinets and welding. I have empirical knowledge that good money is hard to find in those trades. To become an electrical contractor in CA anymore plan on about 6 years getting the hours required. You could theoretically do it in 4, but you'd have to work all week, every week, documented.


"You need to pass an exam, but to TAKE the exam, you must document 8000 hours for a "general" electrician, 4800 hours for "residential". You have to document the hours with the SSA, so if someone paid you "under the table", it doesn't count. The work has to include a certain minimum number of hours in at least two different task categories from a table. So for example if you might qualify under "industrial wiring", you can only count 6000 hours, so you need another 2000 doing something else."

A plumber's license is not far behind. I once told a kid that was working with me and not getting very many hours and not much money. He had a chance to get into carpet laying and I told him to go for it. He could work anywhere in the world. Always. And if expanded into other flooring, he's be set for his working life.

That's the other thing, how long you can physically handle a job like that. I have worked as an electrician on commercial and it is hard ass work. I have all my plumbing tools and now I hire a plumber. You have to be a contortionist.