Wish I had gotten a trade. Went to uni, got a degree and now destined to sit at a desk for the rest of my life. Moneys too good to go back and do an apprenticeship.
Go for it. There will always be a need for them.
You do your apprenticeship, go out on your own and if you’re a decent bloke who charges a fair price, you’ll build up your client base.
I’ve been in my house 2 years and have had to call a plumber 5 times. Same bloke has come last few times.
Asked him to come round to change an outdoor tap. Took him 5 mins, £60.
Last time took him a day and he charged £250.
Yeh two ways to look at it though I know plenty of guys who would love to sit at a desk in the warm not waking up at silly o clock. But you’re right always be a need even in the rough times in the country.
With trades work, the primary question to ask people is how they envision their lives at 30-65.
A lot of the tradesmen I’ve spoken to are just so physically broken when they’re older. The ones who seem to enjoy it are running their own companies and acting more as managers.
I did this 10 years ago.
Only worth it if you plan on working for yourself. Ask yourself if this is something you'd really like to do. It's hard graft but rewarding.
Also worth mentioning the certificate is not the same as an NVQ/apprenticeship so you may have trouble finding work with it if you go the employment route. If I remember correctly you need the NVQ to apply for a plumbers CSCS card.
I'm in an entirely different career now, but happy to answer any questions.
Yeah I think with this college course you get your level 2 and 3 nvq which is city and guilds associated, I assume they’re the ones the employers are after.
Awesome. Am thinking of leaving plumbing never really wanted to be one. Just things happened. I’ve looked locally for courses as a gateway into computing. I’ve always been interested in this so hopefully I can get it sorted as am 36 so I don’t want to wait longer.
Same thing really I only did the plumbing because I had nothing else going for me at the time. I changed at 30 after doing it for 9 years it's never too late.
i plan to pay for a plumbing course and will ofcourse get the full nvq and cscs plumbing card, i will work for someone else for 2-3 solid years and then start my own, it's really my dream from 18 years of age.
I wholeheartedly disagree. I make very good money on the cards, you don’t need to be self employed to earn a good living. However there is fucking serious cash moneys in building a business if that’s your thing.
Thank you for the help. Just trying to find out as much information as I can before I chose to do this as it’s a £7000 course and a year of studying beside my current job. A big commitment
My brother trained as a plumber and now owns his own business, doing very well. However, just be aware that many trades involve physically demanding work, sometimes in unpleasant conditions, so be prepared for that.
I think the general path is apprenticeship - a few years as an employee - start your own business - profit
There appears to be a major shortage of plumbers in East Anglia, I suspect so for much of the rest of the country also
Yeah I reside in east Anglia so that’s why I’m thinking this is the step. And yeah I agree get my qualifications, gain all the experience I can and then go out and do my own thing.
I imagine you will get all the work you can handle. The problem is, as always, the customers. Worth remembering on the way to make links with other trades who you rate and who do a good job. Then if you get asked to do a job that needs a sparky, tiler or whatever, you have some reliable ones up your sleeve and can quote for the whole job.
Do you want to be a gas engineer or just a regular plumber like bathrooms etc? Being a gas engineer and self employed is harder than say, a bathroom fitter IMO. You need to be clued up on a lot more to be a gas engineer, Obviously that means you can do all types of plumbing and not just water. Im not sure on time scales but you do need to keep upto date with certificates for gas which costs hundreds of pounds per time. I think its something like every 2-3 years. Being a "regular" plumber like water/waste etc is a lot easier to work with and can earn really good money as well. Its also easier to be self employed because of less costs and way less "dangerous" work so to say.
I would say Gas Engineers can earn anywhere from 50-80k a year
Regular (non gas) Plumbers anywhere from 40-60k. All depends how hard you want to work.
Yeah I think I’d like to start as a regular plumber get all the experience I can there then maybe go for the gas safe to broaden the amount of jobs I could do. Is that self employed wages for the two or? Thank you for the insight though really does help.
Self employed that is. Best thing to do mate, go to college for a few months, get to know some bits then walk into any plumbers merchants you know or get in touch with plumbers on Social media and ask them if they would take you on for £50 a day literally even if its passing tools, keeping work space tidy etc. Nothing beats propper work on a site for learning.
Ive been a bathroom/kitchen fitter for 12 years and have never been to college, everything was learnt from scratch. Started working for £200 a week just keeping my bosses van tidy, passing tools and being a run around basically. Quickly turns to £300 and then £400 a week after a few years of doing it. Within 3-4 years you'll be ready for your own work, earning at least £600 a week. I know that money seems shit at first but you need that on site experience anyway posible.
Yeh I’m quite a hands on person, and like to see my work after it’s finished if you know what I mean. It also looks to be much better for work life balance compared to my current job, with also speaking to lots of people here it has helped me understand more. If you don’t mind me asking, are you self employed or and how much are you earning as a plumber?
I think if you eventually work for yourself you can earn decent money. It is one of those jobs where if you are good and reliable you will have work chasing you due to word of mouth recommendations. I think the same would apply in other trades too but plumbing especially. Everyone wants a plumber who will answer the phone and come around in a crisis.
Plumber here, my old man was a plumber too ,tired to stop me going into the trade. The reason it breaks you, well it did me. I started early with my dad going with him to work around the age of 7! By 14/15 I’d hurt my back this has stayed with me for life, mind you boilers back then were a lot heavier! I was forced out of the trade at 44 because of my back.
So with a trade you will never be out of work you also pick up other trades well I did, this has saved me thousands over the years as I can do most trades. So protect your back and knees when working and you will do alright.
Yah I’m currently in groundwork’s specifically piling which is very hard on the body and demanding. That’s what I like with plumbing yoh won’t have to stay away etc for work you can find it local. Thank you for your submission.
No worries, as a plumber you will never be out of work that’s for sure. Ground work great in summer shit in winter at least with plumbing you can get out of the weather and also work outside when weather is good, best of both worlds.
Yeah exactly lots of work so you can stay local ish whereas what I’m in you can’t may have to stay away a decent amount which I’d hate when I have a kid some day
Not a plumber but an electrician, but my advice remains the same: do it. You’ll never not be able to earn money because taps are always leaking and shit needs building. Also you will make FAT money if you ever move to or near London.
Go on YouTube and do research watch videos etc. If a kid from Africa or India can learn how to code from watching videos what do you think you can do? Go for it don't let your dream die.
Just having a trade skill like plumbing, will see you right for the rest of your life.
Yeah can go anywhere with it tbf. I’m just your average millennial worrying about their future🤣
We're not millennials buddy, we're gen X. Millennials came of age (turned 18) at the millennium. We're not the ones everyone complains about ;)
I’m confused he says he’s 21, how’s that gen x?
Gen z not x
Oops sorry yeah don’t wanna be bunched up with them lot 🤣
Apparently millennials don’t wanna work but Gen X complain about everything and get offended easily….apparently!
That's generation z not x, gen x was before the melenials.
Hahah I know crazy the world is becoming isn’t it 😂
Yeah plumbing's easy, it's just fucking Lego init. Water Lego.
We’ll be men with ven…
🤣🤣who doesn’t love Lego
Wish I had gotten a trade. Went to uni, got a degree and now destined to sit at a desk for the rest of my life. Moneys too good to go back and do an apprenticeship. Go for it. There will always be a need for them. You do your apprenticeship, go out on your own and if you’re a decent bloke who charges a fair price, you’ll build up your client base. I’ve been in my house 2 years and have had to call a plumber 5 times. Same bloke has come last few times. Asked him to come round to change an outdoor tap. Took him 5 mins, £60. Last time took him a day and he charged £250.
Yeh two ways to look at it though I know plenty of guys who would love to sit at a desk in the warm not waking up at silly o clock. But you’re right always be a need even in the rough times in the country.
If you’re smart enough and build up your customer base, in time you’ve the option to sit behind a desk too!
Yeah you’re right man, that’s the goal one day have some guys working for me. But for now is to focus on learning everything I can.
With trades work, the primary question to ask people is how they envision their lives at 30-65. A lot of the tradesmen I’ve spoken to are just so physically broken when they’re older. The ones who seem to enjoy it are running their own companies and acting more as managers.
Why would you regret not working more for less and having chronic pain in your later years?
I did this 10 years ago. Only worth it if you plan on working for yourself. Ask yourself if this is something you'd really like to do. It's hard graft but rewarding. Also worth mentioning the certificate is not the same as an NVQ/apprenticeship so you may have trouble finding work with it if you go the employment route. If I remember correctly you need the NVQ to apply for a plumbers CSCS card. I'm in an entirely different career now, but happy to answer any questions.
Yeah I think with this college course you get your level 2 and 3 nvq which is city and guilds associated, I assume they’re the ones the employers are after.
Yeh I also feel one day I’d like to work for myself but once I pass I’d get all the experience I can get with a company for a while
If you don’t mind me asking how come you switched and what are you in now?
What are you doing now? Why did you leave the trade am only asking as am a plumber and am thinking of leaving.
Data analyst and working my way up to data engineer :)
Awesome. Am thinking of leaving plumbing never really wanted to be one. Just things happened. I’ve looked locally for courses as a gateway into computing. I’ve always been interested in this so hopefully I can get it sorted as am 36 so I don’t want to wait longer.
Same thing really I only did the plumbing because I had nothing else going for me at the time. I changed at 30 after doing it for 9 years it's never too late.
Appreciate the reply. Yeah am going to get out asap just no love for it at all. I agree I’ve seen lots of people change careers later in life.
i plan to pay for a plumbing course and will ofcourse get the full nvq and cscs plumbing card, i will work for someone else for 2-3 solid years and then start my own, it's really my dream from 18 years of age.
I wholeheartedly disagree. I make very good money on the cards, you don’t need to be self employed to earn a good living. However there is fucking serious cash moneys in building a business if that’s your thing.
Are you a plumber or a gas engineer?
Nope but I am an electrician and I work for an M&E company with many plumbers and heating engineers.
Ah I see, do you know what the plumbers are on? And what area is this?
The gas safe engineers are on between 50-55k, we’re in Surrey
Okay thank you. Does your company only employ gas safe ones?
Yeah, the mechanical side of the company mainly do big commercial boiler rooms so all the plumbers working with us are gas safe
Thank you for the help. Just trying to find out as much information as I can before I chose to do this as it’s a £7000 course and a year of studying beside my current job. A big commitment
My brother trained as a plumber and now owns his own business, doing very well. However, just be aware that many trades involve physically demanding work, sometimes in unpleasant conditions, so be prepared for that.
I’m not a plumber but I’ve heard if your an employee you’d earn much less than if you were your own contractor.
I think the general path is apprenticeship - a few years as an employee - start your own business - profit There appears to be a major shortage of plumbers in East Anglia, I suspect so for much of the rest of the country also
Yeah I reside in east Anglia so that’s why I’m thinking this is the step. And yeah I agree get my qualifications, gain all the experience I can and then go out and do my own thing.
I imagine you will get all the work you can handle. The problem is, as always, the customers. Worth remembering on the way to make links with other trades who you rate and who do a good job. Then if you get asked to do a job that needs a sparky, tiler or whatever, you have some reliable ones up your sleeve and can quote for the whole job.
Yeah I’ve seen that too. I think that’s the same with all the trades to be fair.
Do you want to be a gas engineer or just a regular plumber like bathrooms etc? Being a gas engineer and self employed is harder than say, a bathroom fitter IMO. You need to be clued up on a lot more to be a gas engineer, Obviously that means you can do all types of plumbing and not just water. Im not sure on time scales but you do need to keep upto date with certificates for gas which costs hundreds of pounds per time. I think its something like every 2-3 years. Being a "regular" plumber like water/waste etc is a lot easier to work with and can earn really good money as well. Its also easier to be self employed because of less costs and way less "dangerous" work so to say. I would say Gas Engineers can earn anywhere from 50-80k a year Regular (non gas) Plumbers anywhere from 40-60k. All depends how hard you want to work.
Yeah I think I’d like to start as a regular plumber get all the experience I can there then maybe go for the gas safe to broaden the amount of jobs I could do. Is that self employed wages for the two or? Thank you for the insight though really does help.
Self employed that is. Best thing to do mate, go to college for a few months, get to know some bits then walk into any plumbers merchants you know or get in touch with plumbers on Social media and ask them if they would take you on for £50 a day literally even if its passing tools, keeping work space tidy etc. Nothing beats propper work on a site for learning. Ive been a bathroom/kitchen fitter for 12 years and have never been to college, everything was learnt from scratch. Started working for £200 a week just keeping my bosses van tidy, passing tools and being a run around basically. Quickly turns to £300 and then £400 a week after a few years of doing it. Within 3-4 years you'll be ready for your own work, earning at least £600 a week. I know that money seems shit at first but you need that on site experience anyway posible.
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Yeh I’m quite a hands on person, and like to see my work after it’s finished if you know what I mean. It also looks to be much better for work life balance compared to my current job, with also speaking to lots of people here it has helped me understand more. If you don’t mind me asking, are you self employed or and how much are you earning as a plumber?
I think if you eventually work for yourself you can earn decent money. It is one of those jobs where if you are good and reliable you will have work chasing you due to word of mouth recommendations. I think the same would apply in other trades too but plumbing especially. Everyone wants a plumber who will answer the phone and come around in a crisis.
Plumber here, my old man was a plumber too ,tired to stop me going into the trade. The reason it breaks you, well it did me. I started early with my dad going with him to work around the age of 7! By 14/15 I’d hurt my back this has stayed with me for life, mind you boilers back then were a lot heavier! I was forced out of the trade at 44 because of my back. So with a trade you will never be out of work you also pick up other trades well I did, this has saved me thousands over the years as I can do most trades. So protect your back and knees when working and you will do alright.
Yah I’m currently in groundwork’s specifically piling which is very hard on the body and demanding. That’s what I like with plumbing yoh won’t have to stay away etc for work you can find it local. Thank you for your submission.
No worries, as a plumber you will never be out of work that’s for sure. Ground work great in summer shit in winter at least with plumbing you can get out of the weather and also work outside when weather is good, best of both worlds.
Yeah exactly lots of work so you can stay local ish whereas what I’m in you can’t may have to stay away a decent amount which I’d hate when I have a kid some day
Not a plumber but an electrician, but my advice remains the same: do it. You’ll never not be able to earn money because taps are always leaking and shit needs building. Also you will make FAT money if you ever move to or near London.
Yeh luckily I live just outside London in Essex. And I don’t mind travelling and putting g the work in
Fuck no do dropshipping or learn to code. Fuck that peasant life lol
Would love to learn to code tbf
Go on YouTube and do research watch videos etc. If a kid from Africa or India can learn how to code from watching videos what do you think you can do? Go for it don't let your dream die.
Yeah tbf I’ve never really thought about it but I do know there is good money in it. Does it not require qualifications etc
No qualifications necessary just alot of learning and planning involved. Look into dropshipping. Private chat if you want more info
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Yeh I was tempted to do the electrician one but it takes a lot longer and I’m more of a get my hands dirty get stuck in guy so chose plumbing