Any body made the jump? Advice?

Possibly leaving plumbing work to go full time into an established tree service...20,000 pay cut off the rip...might be happier doing what I really love to do? Anybody have any advice, suggestions, comments, concerns, experience? I will continue my small tree service, stump grinding, and firewood business on the side. Thanks in advance!

 

What's your age?

 

29

 

Only 20k$? neighbor a master plumber just turned down $70 an hour with Fortune 500 company
That’s 140k a year with great benefits

 

Ok then, you easily got at least ten years before your body starts complaining too much.

However, I would not abandon Plumbing all together. Possible to be a shade tree plumber on the side of tree service employment? Totally understand wanting to do something you enjoy for a living. I have to ask though...will having it as your employment rob the joy? I love working in the woods. If I scored a gig doing it, would I still feel that way after a couple of years? I can't say for sure.

Is the ultimate goal to eventually become your own employer? I think that's possible with either gig here.

Plubing will be vastly safer for you.

How are benefits of either?

Are you easily able to integrate back into plumbing if the tree job doesn't work out for some reason?

These are things I would be considering if I were in your position.

 

once it is your full time gig it is a job. hours, work conditions, physicality you got less than 10 years.

 

A buddy of mine did all the courses and became a certified arborist, while keeping his day job. After a few years of it becoming exponentially bigger and more lucrative, he eventually threw in the towel one day out of the blue. He sold just about everything minus a couple saws. The novelty had worn off and he couldn’t see himself doing it anymore. I know for myself it’s not an alternative career, but rather the perfect escape from the career I already have. That being said, I’m a huge advocate for going all in if you have this burning desire to do so. You never know where the path might lead, so if it won’t ruin you financially and you can fall back on the plumbing if it doesn’t pan out, all the power to you.

 

This!

 

Besides financials, that's my biggest fear, that the novelty will wear off..that's a great point.

 

Maybe TurboDiesel could chime here. In my opinion plumbing is a occupation that you retire from, tree work is a occupation that retires you.

 

If only life was all about how much money one could make, then the 20k pay cut might mean something.

If you're one who like collecting stuff and are defined by your stuff and your world would come to an end if you lost your stuff...... then just stay where you're at.

Edit: it really depends what your goals are, long term. Where do you wanna be in 20-30yrs?

 

Don't do it. These are important years to be saving your money so it can grow. Stack benjamins from plumbing, side jobs and fun with timber.

 

Every single day I wish I was doing something different, something more fun and/or more interesting and/or something I like doing better. It's been that way for years, and years, and years. But this is realistically the most money I can make without taking some major financial risks I don't want to take.

When I'm ready to quit I remember your 20's, 30's, and early 40's are so important for building your financial base. Make as much money as you can, as fast as you can, save and invest as much of it as you can. When you're 45 you'll appreciate the work your younger self did.

I'll be 45 next year. I'm a long way from the finish line, but I should be able to go get that fun/interesting job in a couple years. My job or my "stuff" doesn't own me (anymore).

 

Thank you all for such sound advice! I really do appreciate it. Gonna take some more time to talk to the fiance and the family and continue to weigh the pros and cons.

 

Might be worth a couple bucks for a career coach's time and experience.
You go to a doctor or dentist for their expertise, right ?

At least with plumbing and electrical you've got a good trade to fall back on if things don't work out. As long as you were good at it.

I left a job and made a major career change at 35. But it ended up being for more money not less. But the money didn't really factor in the decision to eff it all and try doing something different.

 

Owning your own business in one way is great
I can tell you it’s like a monster that constantly has to be feed and owning your own busines takes all your time you can forget about the little side things you do on the side and really forget about having a family life.
Pretty much all the money that the business is making you need to keep in the bank you need to fix/replace equipment and advertise also don’t forget about insurance if you have employees you will have to have workers comp
I am not trying to discourage you just trying to prepare you

 

That's a huge nut for small businesses, many times one claim n it's over

 

Worker’s Comp Claim in a Tree Business?

Now a Secretarial Business, those Paper cuts and staple pokes, will ruin ya


Doug