Going to school to learn how to do it all myself. Realistic?
After a pipe broke in the attic of my two story multi-home, I faced a lot of issues with my general contractor and plumber in particular. Leaks still prevalent in pipes and refusing to fix them, contractors worker and his family squatting in my home without my permission, and lazy work done to finishes of the home. It was a nightmare to say the least and I had to figure out a lot of stuff to fix the problems myself.
I like to think of myself as someone who isn't afraid of getting down and dirty and doing the hard work. Someone who wants to know everything I can about the things I love, including real estate and home the systems in a home work. As a new Realtor and someone who plans to buy and house hack many more multi-units in the future, I'm thinking about instead of using my GI Bill for a Masters, perhaps getting certified in multiple trades to further my education on electricity, plumbing, HVAC, and building. Even if I'm not the one who originally has to build a home from the ground up, I want to know the basics of how to do things myself or at least know enough to check and make sure things are done correctly.
Any thoughts or suggestions from anyone who feels like they have a great amount of knowledge about what goes into a home and any licensing they suggest is the most important? Or how to go about getting certified? Personal experiences dealing or feeling similar to me after a bad experience with several "professionals"?
@Jessica James
I had a similar thought when I started rei. I went a different route though. I started volunteering at habitat once a week for about 5 years. You will not learn HVAC or electrical, but it is a great learning experience about building homes. I have done siding, install windows and doors, roofing, raising walls, floor plan layout, etc. It is free and helps others. As for HVAC, electric and plumbing, I farm that out to the experts.
@Scott Mac I was the first female in the navy special ops program and am a retired bodybuilder. Also worked on helicopters and have done my own renovations so I know how to use and own all those tools :)
Just cause I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t hang with the boys lol
@Curtis Mears that is a awesome way to begin, never thought about that. Thank you!!
@Olivia Radziszewskimaybe not my best time spent but I really do want to learn and be somewhat competent. A lot of people I hire try to pull a lot of dumb stuff because I’m a single female and they know I don’t know about hvac and electrical and plumbing :/ If I’m not doing myself at least I can call them on their bullsh*t before it’s too late and they’re long gone haha
Quote from @Jessica James:Go get em Tiger!
@Scott Mac I was the first female in the navy special ops program and am a retired bodybuilder. Also worked on helicopters and have done my own renovations so I know how to use and own all those tools :)
Just cause I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t hang with the boys lol
Quote from @Scott Mac:
Quote from @Jessica James:Go get em Tiger!
@Scott Mac I was the first female in the navy special ops program and am a retired bodybuilder. Also worked on helicopters and have done my own renovations so I know how to use and own all those tools :)
Just cause I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t hang with the boys lol
Well Mac you can’t say you didn’t try to tell her. You definitely put some thought into your post.
On the job internships for a few months should get you the basics of hvac, electrical, and plumbing. I'm a hands-on person myself, that can build a home, garage, if need be, but time and health is more important. It's best to spend your time learning how to manage/work with people, then learn from the people that work with. A good team is essential to your success. There are definitely many craigslist back alley renovation specialists out there looking to do jobs, this just comes with the field you're getting into.
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Quote from @Vasyl Magura:
On the job internships for a few months should get you the basics of hvac, electrical, and plumbing.
With all due respect, a few months is just going to confuse most people. I wish my past crew would have picked up anything in a few months.....couldn't even teach them to wrap up an extension cord properly :-)
I couldn’t agree more with what @Bruce Woodruff said.
I was an up and coming chef in my area until I bought my first house. I have zero college, and have now been in business as a remodeling/home improvement contractor for 18 years. Read some books, watch tons of YouTube videos, google is your friend. Educate yourself on codes, etc. But know your limitations.
Total newbie here, but I heard a good tip on the Real Estate Rookie podcast recently where somebody recommended getting three quotes for anything you need done. Then you ask each one tons of questions and you're able to get a feel for their knowledge and their professionalism, and you get a more thorough understanding of the problem. Not only will you end up hiring better contractors but you'll also get on-the-ground education about each issue as it comes up.