Hello From The East Midlands - Possible Career Change Madness?

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J88

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Hi everyone,

Been reading the forums without posting for a while now but another boring, head ache inducing day at work has finally got me posting and asking questions.

I'm 28, with a £<30K job niche-market engineering job, new house & mortgage plus young family - I need money coming in other words. My job is safe but boring and I feel I need a change and get out of the office and working for myself eventually.

Am I mad considering learning and taking up plastering? I read conflicting messages online about its a dying trade, rates are rubbish etc but even 50m2 @ £2.50 5 days/week would more than cover my mortgage each month.

I have been looking at lots of trades which appeal but keep coming back to plastering. I think the work suits me. Although chained to a desk now, I've had very hard physical labour jobs in the past and kinda miss that feeling and also having a laugh with mates on the job - something I'm missing in current role.

My dream job (funds dependant) is moving into property development - that's the end game.

So in short, not scared of hard work, getting dirty, got my head screwed on (maybe) and can run my own business - just not sure that plastering being a difficult skill to learn and master is the best route for me?

Thanks for any help in advance I'll check back later.

Cheers
 
Hi everyone,

Been reading the forums without posting for a while now but another boring, head ache inducing day at work has finally got me posting and asking questions.

I'm 28, with a £<30K job niche-market engineering job, new house & mortgage plus young family - I need money coming in other words. My job is safe but boring and I feel I need a change and get out of the office and working for myself eventually.

Am I mad considering learning and taking up plastering? I read conflicting messages online about its a dying trade, rates are rubbish etc but even 50m2 @ £2.50 5 days/week would more than cover my mortgage each month.

I have been looking at lots of trades which appeal but keep coming back to plastering. I think the work suits me. Although chained to a desk now, I've had very hard physical labour jobs in the past and kinda miss that feeling and also having a laugh with mates on the job - something I'm missing in current role.

My dream job (funds dependant) is moving into property development - that's the end game.

So in short, not scared of hard work, getting dirty, got my head screwed on (maybe) and can run my own business - just not sure that plastering being a difficult skill to learn and master is the best route for me?

Thanks for any help in advance I'll check back later.

Cheers

you only live once .....dont do it !!!
 
Hi everyone,

Been reading the forums without posting for a while now but another boring, head ache inducing day at work has finally got me posting and asking questions.

I'm 28, with a £<30K job niche-market engineering job, new house & mortgage plus young family - I need money coming in other words. My job is safe but boring and I feel I need a change and get out of the office and working for myself eventually.

Am I mad considering learning and taking up plastering? I read conflicting messages online about its a dying trade, rates are rubbish etc but even 50m2 @ £2.50 5 days/week would more than cover my mortgage each month.

I have been looking at lots of trades which appeal but keep coming back to plastering. I think the work suits me. Although chained to a desk now, I've had very hard physical labour jobs in the past and kinda miss that feeling and also having a laugh with mates on the job - something I'm missing in current role.

My dream job (funds dependant) is moving into property development - that's the end game.

So in short, not scared of hard work, getting dirty, got my head screwed on (maybe) and can run my own business - just not sure that plastering being a difficult skill to learn and master is the best route for me?

Thanks for any help in advance I'll check back later.

Cheers
@Lodan is your man. I think he followed a similar path and has not looked back. Why plastering?
 
You've got to weigh a few things up ........
Sitting on your arse in a warm office pressing buttons or some such..........verses......
Plodging about on a building site.......sweaty, dirty, tired......blisters, aches and running a business.......
Now obviously you will be beguiled by the romantic notion of being a plasterer, and frankly who could blame you. Who wouldn't want to be part of an elite group of talented men and women plying a time honoured craft.....however..........
You get 30k for not getting covered in s**t and sweat and dust and s**t and sweat.
Good luck.
 
Hi everyone,

Been reading the forums without posting for a while now but another boring, head ache inducing day at work has finally got me posting and asking questions.

I'm 28, with a £<30K job niche-market engineering job, new house & mortgage plus young family - I need money coming in other words. My job is safe but boring and I feel I need a change and get out of the office and working for myself eventually.

Am I mad considering learning and taking up plastering? I read conflicting messages online about its a dying trade, rates are rubbish etc but even 50m2 @ £2.50 5 days/week would more than cover my mortgage each month.

I have been looking at lots of trades which appeal but keep coming back to plastering. I think the work suits me. Although chained to a desk now, I've had very hard physical labour jobs in the past and kinda miss that feeling and also having a laugh with mates on the job - something I'm missing in current role.

My dream job (funds dependant) is moving into property development - that's the end game.

So in short, not scared of hard work, getting dirty, got my head screwed on (maybe) and can run my own business - just not sure that plastering being a difficult skill to learn and master is the best route for me?

Thanks for any help in advance I'll check back later.

Cheers
I could have wrote that 2 years ago...same job, same young family, same bored as f**k (even same area)....as to weather you should do it i've no idea...its hard work and 50m in a day isnt as easy as you think when your new. I made it work but its a lot more stressful than I expected and a lot harder on your body than I expected....i wouldnt go back as I enjoy it but thats just me. Think long and hard first...
 
Also its expensive.....course, van, lost earnings, tools, insurance, tax, travel expenses (no accomadation required though:)), came to over 10k
 
I could have wrote that 2 years ago...same job, same young family, same bored as f**k (even same area)....as to weather you should do it i've no idea...its hard work and 50m in a day isnt as easy as you think when your new. I made it work but its a lot more stressful than I expected and a lot harder on your body than I expected....i wouldnt go back as I enjoy it but thats just me. Think long and hard first...

A lot to think about I know and it will take time.

With all the negativity about plastering...from plasterers what trades would you say are worth pursing then?
 
Try doing it in your spare time first and find out if you like getting dust by the square metre into your lungs or a dollop of plaster in the eye that burns like a blow torch or have the mrs say look at the f*ck*n mess off your clothes your not getting in the house like that or the killer when you get the odd ball saying I'm not paying you think about it first really hard cos in this game their ain't no easy ride my friend best of luck
 
Just a trade that most appeals to me even though I keep reading its a dying trade
Have you thought about tiling?

If you feel plastering is for you then go for it. Make it your goal. If you have no goals you end up working for people who do have goals. You can have the most expensive plane in the world but without a goal, without a destination, you're going nowhere, just flying about aimlessly. There's an old African proverb, if you can defeat the enemies inside, then the enemies outside hold no fear. The spartans used to say that those who sweat more in training, bleed less in war. So, you need to focus on it. Maybe do a course, like Lodan. Good luck.
 
I've already posted, but once more couldn't hurt.......
Plastering is a "s**t or bust" trade.......unlike other trades, when you start a gauge, you've got to finish it, and that finish must be acceptable, or there's no pay......
To get to the standard that is acceptable is a hard road, with many a........well you know.......
If you want it.....then do it....with your eyes wide open, and support from 'er indoors......put your whole self into it and never give up.......
And if you can do all this, my friend,.......you will do ok..(y)
 
Have you thought about tiling?

If you feel plastering is for you then go for it. Make it your goal. If you have no goals you end up working for people who do have goals. You can have the most expensive plane in the world but without a goal, without a destination, you're going nowhere, just flying about aimlessly. There's an old African proverb, if you can defeat the enemies inside, then the enemies outside hold no fear. The spartans used to say that those who sweat more in training, bleed less in war. So, you need to focus on it. Maybe do a course, like Lodan. Good luck.
maybe spend a bit of time with someone before booking a course. They are expensive 2.5k for 6 weeks so not something to do if your mind isnt fully made up
 
maybe spend a bit of time with someone before booking a course. They are expensive 2.5k for 6 weeks so not something to do if your mind isnt fully made up
That's true. But you can make that in a week once qualified.
 
Have you thought about tiling?

If you feel plastering is for you then go for it. Make it your goal. If you have no goals you end up working for people who do have goals. You can have the most expensive plane in the world but without a goal, without a destination, you're going nowhere, just flying about aimlessly. There's an old African proverb, if you can defeat the enemies inside, then the enemies outside hold no fear. The spartans used to say that those who sweat more in training, bleed less in war. So, you need to focus on it. Maybe do a course, like Lodan. Good luck.
Gotta say measter I've seen a few of your posts lately and enjoy reading them,

Anyway to the op I always read a lot in my spare time one article I've read described the growth of gypsum production and product over the next so many years as high also worth noting that in this country governments have set targets for new builds which at present look un obtainable also in terms of youth coming into the trade there maybe issues so all in all there maybe high there maybe lows but me personally think the futures bright for the trade what ever you decide to do
 
Gotta say measter I've seen a few of your posts lately and enjoy reading them,

Anyway to the op I always read a lot in my spare time one article I've read described the growth of gypsum production and product over the next so many years as high also worth noting that in this country governments have set targets for new builds which at present look un obtainable also in terms of youth coming into the trade there maybe issues so all in all there maybe high there maybe lows but me personally think the futures bright for the trade what ever you decide to do
Don't be lured in :sorprendido3: he's after selfies again.:foto:
 
As someone working alongside other trades- what, if any, trades would you say are worth pursuing?

The building game is up and down. U get dickheads talking s**t about how much they make. Sometimes u have to fight to get money. Phone don't stop. Each trade wants the other trades job. As we all think other trades are getting more. I'll be honest no trade is a good one any more. If u have a safe job I'd keep it. Just remember lot of bullshiters in the building game. Most make less then they think. As they don't take everything into account.
 
Go for it mate, do a 2 week course and buy a load of tools then advertise everywhere with 15 years experience.
Learn on people's homes charging say £70 a day and in only a year or so you will be experienced and probably taking other men on too.
It worked for me! :sisi::bailando:
 
Don't be lured in :sorprendido3: he's after selfies again.:foto:
IMG_4671.JPG
 
Ahhh now jess, don't be telling me you didn't see someone puffin' an blow in' swinging a trowel about and covered in dust,......and you didn't think " well that looks just the job for me" ....eh?
Thought so.......beguiled.......
 
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