Building and Construction Career Change Ideas
Whether you’re looking to break into the building and construction industry or you’re already working within it, but you’re looking for a new challenge and a change of career, there is certainly no shortage of opportunities available to you. Here are some of the most interesting:
Landscape Gardener
If you have the tools that it takes to build a house or excavate a site, then you almost certainly have what it takes to become a landscape gardener too. Sure, you might have to do a little training/retraining, but if you’re pretty handy and you love working outdoors, creating beautiful things for your clients, it is a career well worth considering.
Building Supplier
If you’re no longer up for the heavy lifting, or you’ve been injured, and you simply can’t work in the construction industry in the same way that you use to, then you may want to consider the prospect of becoming a building supplier instead. Suppliers of building tools, Bryson are a good example of how you can use your knowledge of a particular industry to set up as a supplier and do very well out of it. If you want to make it a really fruitful career change, then try to specialize in one area, such as retail construction or machinery hire and you will find it easier to break into the market.
Arborist
If you work in the building and construction industry, chances are you don’t have a problem with heights, you’re good with tools, and you know how to solve tricky logistical problems which makes you pretty much perfect for the role of an arborist, or tree surgeon as they’re more commonly known. It’s a great way to make a living if you prefer being outside and you love dealing with difficult structures, albeit of a different kind than you might be used to.
Painter and Decorator
Instead of building houses, why not take a less stressful rout and become a painter and decorator instead? Not only is the work as fulfilling, but it is typically less challenging than the average construction career, and it’s a lot easier to set up as a self-employed painter and decorator than it is a builder. It’s definitely a good option if you’re good with your hands. If you want a USP or at least a differentiator that sets you part from the competition then why not get a EPA Lead Paint Certification which allows you to work on US based projects that might require lead paint.
Carpenter
Another great career change for those of you who are good with your hands, dimensions and various power tools is carpentry. Again, you may need to do some training before you can take up a position, but once you have the skills required, you can do anything from fitting kitchens to creating your own bespoke furniture. If you’re looking for more variety in your work or a way to express your creativity, you could do a lot worse than carpentry. Another aspect of the job that some people like is that you get to be very hands on with the kinds of tools you use. This can be anything from a modern cordless drill to an old school timber saw, being able to get stuck in and put your body to work is a very fulfilling aspect for some people.
House Flipper
If you want to make a lot of money for similar work than you’re doing now, use your building skills to invest in and improve properties before selling them on as a House Flipper. You’ll have an advantage because you’ll be able to do most of the work yourself so that it could be a real success.
Have you changed career from the construction industry? What do you do now?
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