Replythe only time anything is too late is when they're hammering the nails in your coffin lid
New Guest
I started in the trades in my early thirties, first as a wood finisher, then as Corian countertop fabricator and installer, then as a cabinet builder and kitchen installer, and now for three years as a commercial repair/handyman. In the last three years I have done a ton of basic plumbing and electric and faced issues more mechanical and technical in nature. I have even had some hvac issues come up...
I am currently immersed in reading Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning which I have been told is the "HVAC bible". All I know is that I love it and believe that this industry is where my heart is...but I am 43. I am not too proud to be an apprentice, but I don't know that I could survive the cut in pay - I don't have a family, but I am a homeowner.
Is it too late for me?
Professional Member*
the only time anything is too late is when they're hammering the nails in your coffin lid
Professional Member*
It's never too late, it may be difficult to find someone to hire a greenhorn at that age though.
Professional Member
I say go for it. It's a young man's game. My advice- keep pushing forward with your education so that you can transition out of the field and into a less physically demanding position.
Professional Member*
I would much rather have an older person than a younger one. From my expierence the older guys are very dependable,hard working, and less likely to leave. Three of the best workers I have ever worked with were over 60. Maybe a little slower but always curtious and excellent work.Originally Posted by jtrammel
New Guest
Perhaps I should edit my question. It is NOT in fact too late for me - I am the only one that can answer that. I AM pursuing this. I guess I am seeking advice on how to do it under my circumstances. I have skills and experience in the trades, I am mechanically and electrically inclined, and I'm not a kid. But the state of MD requires 1,750 hours of apprenticeship over two years (I think) to be eligible to apply for journeyman. Again, I'm not too good or proud to start at the bottom. It's an issue of practical-ness. Any advice is appreciated and thank you to those who already replied.
Professional Member
I will reiterate- go for it. Crawling under houses and climbing into attics will get old, or make you older. Pursue your ambitions, but plan for the future.
Professional Member*
I can say one thing that is my biggest pet peeve about this trade. Age seems to play a role in how people seem to think of thier knowlege. I follow behind a 40 something HACK and everyone thinks he knows alot cause he is older then me has no Lic no training etc. We have both been in the trade same amout of time but me being late 20 and having all my lic etc people still Think he is more knowlegable even after I come and save the day. I just rewired a whole lennox RTU cause he left them for 2 weeks cause he Told them the proplem is deeper can't find it "WHAT!" The customer still told me I must have learn all I know from Him
So what I am getting at is i think it will be alot easier to get a job over a young kid as long as you got the Lic for your state clean driving rewcord crimnal check etc
GoodLuck
LEARN HOW TO READ WIRE DIAGRAMS!!!!
New Guest
Maybe they give him credit because he is literate.
GoodLuck
LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE
Professional Member*
I a funny you say that my father is 51 and he was always handy but always worked in restaurants ... I in essence was following in his footsteps but one day woke up and decided to do HVAC.. so now I am on my own and have my dad leaving the restaurants and coming to help me on projects. I am trying to get him into the rese school so he can learn more then be able to be a project manager or at least go and look at jobs and price them.. something to keep him busy and out of the restaurant.
Good luck and learn as much as possible..
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Professional Member
Go get it!
Professional Member*
Couldn't agree more...
To the OP, get your 608 and keep reading. Also, visit this site often. Ask questions here, the wealth of knowledge in this community is amazing. Get your post count up and apply for pro status so you will get access to the education section.
HVAC is very rewarding if you like helping people and take pride in a job well done.
Best of luck!
Professional Member*
Wood you are old.... Lol
Ok.. Im 43 also but I got 24 years in it.
My advice as long as u keep fit
Hit the gym.
My installer is over 50, but he is in great
You can work for school district, city
They just do the service stuff,easy and light work.
Working for service company is a lot more physical
Hit the books hard and ask a lot of questions here
Know your technical stuff really good and you'll be ok
Good luck old man..lol.
Professional Member*
Well, Lets see,
I hope 43 is not to old.
I just turned 44 today.
I am in student debt up to my eyeballs, and Currently in HVAC school fulltime.
I consider this my last shot at a meaningful trade.
Yes i have lived my life in the "other building trades".
I dont think our age, (early 40's) should be a bad thing. We have much to offer an employer.
lots of background experience. And we not to old to learn new tricks.
By the time i have my 5 years base experience in this trade, i will be 49 years old. thats still time enough to be good and viable in this field. (i plan on working until i am 60).
The money i make from this trade is all going toward a house boat, minus the expense of student loan repayment. so thats all down the road. i not even thinking of down the road
the work load of school is all i am living breathing and eating HVAC. As you will be as well if your going to school.
Go for it with gusto. Study hard. and give it your all.
being a carpenter, laborer, truck driver,ditch digger and all around handy man has been paying me the same $10-$12 hour for years now.
no reason starting the same wage as an apprentice in HVAC, a specialized trade, cant be beneficial in the long run. the wage can only go up from there.
I know there is money to be made in this trade. right now i try not to think about the dollars, I am in learning mode. not earning mode.
I study out of the same book as you. 7th edition.
Best of luck to ya.
B
Travel and work,
Professional Member
We hired two people about 5 years ago: one with 27, one was 40. The one who was 40 was a painter, carpenter, mechanic, worked for the railroad, previously. The one who was 27 was a security guard. Needless to say, we kept the one who was 40 and he's a great installer now. So go for it! I will say, however, since he was the youngest installer experience wise, whenever we had a crawl job we had our "old man crawl boy" on it...so be prepared for something like that.
Professional Member*
With all your other skills you could even do apt maintenance work which requires a/c and elect also. Some of those jobs pay decent. Here they pay 40-60k a yr. I did that for awhile and had my own company also. Gave me time to build up customers. Another advantage was you always had time to expierment and if you accidentally screwed up it didn't cost you anything. As everyone knows some maintenance guys make mistakes.
Regular Guest
I started HVAC school last summer at the age of 50. I recently turned 51. You're never too old. I'm enjoying school, learning a lot, and looking forward to a new career. I too, am a cabinet/countertop man from the past. I've built custom furniture, cabinets and countertops, including corian. I'm a carpenter by trade, and can hold my own in electrical and plumbing. I'm finding the transition into the HVAC field very easy and very comfortable.
Professional Member*
lol, im 55, still doin what i love, i run our sales and install on the retro side, still go out and install one in an emergency, and the youngsters STILL cant keep up, because after 25 years in trade, im methodical, always think ahead, skilled and above all else, Love what I do, still drive my 1/2 ton toolbox, and at times fix a unit at a sales call instead of selling them, no charge as i keep a stock of old caps and such on my truck, i think the trade gets easier and as long as my body holds out, ill be good!. Good Luck to You!
Professional Member*
My cousin left a great manufacturing job at 45 to jump into HVAC 5 years ago. I'll give you the same advice I have him. Do it. But steer towards service. Avoid install work if you can. Very hard on the body and we, I'm 42, ain't as nimble as we once were. He is in a service truck for a reputable company making good money and loves it.
Professional Member
I think everyone has covered the fact that you aren't too old as long as you are motivated and fit, but your concern about making enough money hasn't been discussed. If you don't have money saved up, you will probably lose your house. Pay for entry level helpers is painfully low if you've ever made good money. If I still had my house, I would not have been able to make the notes. I've had to intentionally default on 2 credit cards in order to negotiate a stop on penalties and interest and get myself a decent payoff plan (wrecks your credit temporarily, but it was a decision that I knowingly walked into to get into this trade). Before you jump into this you seriously need to do the math to make sure you don't end up homeless with nothing but a bunch of free "Joe's AC & Heat" t-shirts to show for it. Plan on struggling for 1-3 years depending on your progression and work situation.
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