Getting construction experience as a realtor

[Jackson Haney]

Hi everyone, 

I’m a 25-year-old real estate agent in the Phoenix/East Valley market, and my long-term goal is to build a business around real estate investing.

I’ve been considering apprenticing with a general contractor to gain hands-on construction experience while earning some additional income. My thought process is to spend a few years learning the trade, eventually obtain my contractor’s license, and combine that expertise with my real estate background.

The end goal would be to flip houses full-time and have a strong understanding of both the acquisition and renovation sides of the business. 

Has anyone here taken a similar path? If so, what advice would you give someone just getting started? Any insights on the pros, cons, or things you wish you had known beforehand would be greatly appreciated.

I’m also posting this question in the AZREIA website since I’m a member there as well. 

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

[Bruce Woodruff]

In addition to the above advice, I would look for a charity like Habitat For Humanity or T2T. You will get a lot of hands-on experience and be contributing at the same time.

Also attend the work-shops atr the big-box stores on the weekends, they will show you how to do tile install and easy stuff like that.

Apprenticing with a GC sounds easy but I'm not sure you will have great luck with this path.....what do you offer them as an inexperienced laborer? Why would someone like me hire you? If I did, you would start out just carrying lumber and cleaning up jobsites....for at least a year or two. Once again, why would a GC put you right on a framing crew?

Remember you need 4 years of journeyman level experience before a GC can sign for you to take the test.