Spot on, put an ad in the local paper and some flyers around the neighborhood. With those skills, and if you are good, you will do much better going it on your own in regards to being a "Handyman". Most truck drivers don't know which end of a screwdriver to use. And the starting pay is not that great for the work and time involved. Unless you feel the need to travel and have no responsibilities like bills, then it may be a good gig. I think a new trucker will take home around what, $700 - $800 a week, if that? And then we have living on the road, it is not cheap. That is unless you can live on $3 hot dogs, or you are lucky enough to get a truck that has an inverter and a refridgerator so that you can cook.
How's your fitness? If you can still see your shoes without standing n front of a mirror think about oil field work. I'm talking about service company's, Halliburton, BJ, places like that. A CDL is still required but it's not really a driving job.
So true, I see these guys all of the time, and have bought more than a few a meal and or a pack of smokes. Makes me sick. The pay is not much more than when I started back in the 80's, add inflation, LOL! They are paying what, .07 a mile in 1980's dollars when all is figured in? Seriously. I own my own truck, have for many years, only way I would do this. Honestly, my take home on a bad week, should be what a driver grosses in a week, especially OTR. These ELDs will further kill their earning opportunities.
I have been doing handyman work for the past 10 years.I am in the same boat as you. Burned out on fixing any and everything. Tired of carting around 12 bags of hundreds of tools to complete what ever repair will come your way. Endless trips back and forth to the Home Depot or local hardware store to find the correct part needed. Its not always Greener outside the cab guys.
I know, I used to do it too... Had a truck load of tools, and Home Depot and Lowes always had the coffee on at 0600... Been there myself. The pay is the issue, and that would be my only point. It is not that good when you start out, and these ELDs will be used against you. Seen it to many times out here. Sitting in a truck stop is no fun, I enjoy Lowes and Home Depot much better. Just saying. And yes, I am burned out on trucking too... But, I own the truck, and the pay is too good to pass up for what little work I actually do.
100% excellent you'll find a job but as a new driver don't ecspect to make the big bucks.However with your impeccable work history apply at only the best companies that train.
@mnmbjc, I hear ya. Almost 25 years in IT and I'm getting crispy. The money and benefits are great but it's rapidly not becoming enough to make it worth it. I say, go do what makes you happy. If it's driving or at least giving it a shot, then go for it. I'll be joining you one day.
Started out finishing up a nailed down bamboo floor a homeowner started who realized it was a lot more to do correctly than what her skills were. After i finished up the 1600 sq feet upstairs she decided she wanted me to refinish the wood in the kitchen and dining and tear up all the carpet on the stairs and 3 other rooms on the main floor and have me lay new wood down. Burned out on wood flooring and its pretty #### hard work for this 50 year old.
It isnt just your work history you gotta worry about. My work history also is solid at age 30, but if your mvr has issues, so will finding a job. I have had a clean mvr for years, maybe even 10 with no speeding or anything. Made one mistake that was big enough to get me turned down by a lot of the good companies. Britton is saying theyre going to try an pull some strings for me but im sure ill end up at a mega carrier. My mvr is clean in 6 months pending no future issues.
Problem is I'm capped can't make much more. There are so many cheaper options out there than me. Pulling 24 hour shifts when it's to cold and pipes burst flooding bottom floors of a 30 unit building is not fun. Pulling 48 hour shifts when 6 inches of rain fall sucking up water isn't fun. Some of you may be burned out at driving but I'm just starting so it's hard to convince me otherwise. Adding a cdl a to my resume can only help with my job search. Also I'm not sure I want to go otr,regional or if I want drive a cement or trash truck. There a a lot of options out there and I'm trying to explore them all until I get out of school.
