I gave up 80k a year as well. Was sitting at a desk for 50 hours a week with an hour one way drive. I'm now doing home repairs, decks and fences. Wish I would've done the change sooner!
I go to work ever day, LOVING my job. Homeschooled with no college, raising and providing for a large family "mine" all on blue collar craftsmanship! Hard work and self motivation can get you anywhere.
@@hermetix7231 Georgia, non union. When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2003 I was a commercial electrician in California, non-union. I do not have favorable opinions on unions.
Perhaps the best advice I've seen in your videos. Reputation built on top-quality work, solid work ethics and fair pricing. I'm happy to spend top dollar when the workmanship and work ethic is second to none. Respecting ourselves first shows and we lead others to respect us in return. The win-win system is a fantastic way to build ourselves and simultaneously build up others.
They described two different things. Stan called it "managing a hospital", but he said "nurse manager". That's not the same thing, at all. Also, having a nurse manager fill in unpaid for an RN shift is illegal. Well, against union regs, anyway. Wouldn't happen much in a bigger place run by unions.
I don’t think he was managing a hospital. He was managing nursing staff in a specific department. A hospital administrator is going to make deep into 6 figures, depending on the size of the hospital.
Whether hospital administrator or nursing manager, one has to be willing to spend their entire life at the hospital and tethered to the hospital via hospital-issued Iphone when "off." Essentially, you're never really off. I ran a hospital department for many years and the hospital increasingly melded work and off time into work time. As I grew older, I increasingly sensed my own mortality and what a dead end, at any salary, spending one's life at work is. Many physicians and hospital lawyers I came to know and worked with were miserable in spite of making good money. Many of the professions and jobs we're taught to covet when we are young are nothing but life-sucking, stress-filled, prisons. Being able to afford a couple expensive power vacations each year is not worth the six-figure salaries, in my opinion. You'll probably have to have your company-issued Iphone with you on your power vacation, as well. One has to decide if the time spent getting ready for work, driving to work, the 10 - 12 hours at work, driving home from work and being on call while at home and on the weekends is worth any salary. Many of these jobs also require one to "drop by" the work location on weekends, overnight, etc., to "check on things,." and you're also expected to be involved in community events during evening and weekend hours in order to promote your employer. One might just as well have their mail sent to their work location. No thanks!
Being successful isn't based solely on income for myself. I'm very blue collar. If I make 20.00 an hour, I live a lifestyle as is I'm making 14.00 an hour. Refuse to by new vehicles and materialistic items that won't help me make money. Hard work, self discipline, and living within your means has been the key for me. I'm 41 yrs old, and have everything I need to enjoy life. That big fancy house and vehicles won't bring me long term happiness. But 20 acres of land that I can cash rent to a farmer that in return pays for my taxes and family vacations brings me plenty of joy. And something that can be handed down to family that holds value.
I've been an Electrician for over 30 years. When I was non-Union, I had jobs at every level from helper to Field Superintendent, Project Manager; even General Manager. I had many times along the way where I'd hire in just looking to work or maybe be just a Foreman, and apparently my abilities threatened the guy I worked under. Next thing you know, I was DTR (down the road) electric. They'd have me fixing other peoples work, doing the tricky things or the exposed work, stayed very productive, didn't break any rules, was careful not to undermine authority or knowledge, never was late or called in and still same crap - spineless job-scared guy above me. Happens in blue collar too.
My Dad was a self employed trades man in carpentry, plumbing and electrical. He was strictly time and material and never in his life run out of work. Mom was a stay at home mom to 3 boys of which one was a special needs boy. He provided all we needed everyday. We were also small family farmers. I am now in my 70's and retired, first from the USAF and then I spent 21 years as an industrial electrician for the same company making a good hourly wage plus overtime as needed. I knew my job and did excellent work. I was the primary go to guy when something broke or to install new equipment. I worked with no engineers, no blue prints only a list of what equipment needed to be installed and its electrical requirements. I ordered, received and installed. I have no college in it, no trade school other than my Dad to age 19. I am comfortable in my retirement.
I started doing Electrical work and man I dont know if I want to stick with it, i came in with a mindset that i will love the trade just Like some other guys here claimed so.... I sometimes watch Carpentry videos and think that looks cool i want to learn that but i dont know if ill want to stick with that either
White collar turned blue welding. Just landed a good step up job doing tunnel boring machines by going direct and selling myself, much better than what I was told was "possible" by a middleman company. Desk jobs are great for those who wanna live for the desk.
In high school the guidance counselors stressed going to college. My father was a union tradesman provided us with a very comfortable living. During the summer vacations he got us summer jobs with the contractor he worked for. So I learned to work with my hands. Fast forward I graduate high school, worked construction got my union book. I got laid off then went to school I got my degree worked white collar for about 15yrs. I enjoyed what I did, but I was a slave. I left the industry and went back into the trades and loving it.
I was teaching at the best Highschool, which prepared kids for the real world. They had a wood shop, auto shop, welding shop, electronic classes, drafting classes and computer construction with function classes. When these kids graduated they had good paying jobs and many earned more than I did, their first year, with no debt. They also had something the College bound kids did not, and that was a stable carrier. and sense of self worth with accomplishment.. Sadly, here in the U.S,. many High Schools had phased out Blue Collar carrier classes that offer opportunity with a J.O.B .and not a P.H.D...i always considered America was built on Blue Collar workers, and Industrial workers.. i am retired now but worked many Blue Collar jobs, when I was younger and during the summers.
Great advice. Living in New Mexico with a giant immigrant population, there’s always some hack job that can do it cheaper. Not a lot of people here understand that good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good
First step is to understand what quality is before you can do a quality job. Everyone has there own perception of what quality based on their level of experience. Do the best job you can every time and figure out how to do it better the next time, continuous improvement is so important!
My son finished his medical degree at Barts here in London,UK and just could not stand medicine,left to run a scrap yard.The others all left white collar route and started doing jobs that others sneer at where they earn more money and have a life.
It's a great video guys. I respect the hard work too. I do have a suggestion though... own real estate. More people generate wealth and PASSIVE income with RE. I am military retired and I own 12 homes. My wife and I don't work except to maintain our own homes. Most of our work is just communication between tenants and I do repairs about twice a week.
Stanley, thank you for the inspirational videos - you are bringing the message, and I want to just say I am extremely grateful for all your uploaded videos. More please!
As a high school teacher, I see the big push to get as many kids as possible to go to college, and many never use their majors, or drop out. Undergrad is a booming business. It’s for some, for sure. Thank you for making this vid Stan. Sorely needed to boost people (including me) to learn and specialize in a trade of high interest. Passion, love for learning, strong work ethic, and reputation is what it’s about!
Knowledge is power and a good reputation is very very true. I live on Waiheke island in Auckland and we're killing it out here. Driveways, retaining walls, clearing sections and mowing lawns.
@@DJslushy92 Never lived there, just visited a couple of times, but they have been getting a LOT of press lately :-) Lived a lot of places, but currently a Westie ;-)
I have been a contractor with my own business for 18 yrs. now and I have experienced all of what you guys have been talking about. It's makes me feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one that has ended up working for "peanuts" on some jobs like you mentioned. You are correct when you say it is demoralizing and terrible for moral on the job and off for that matter. I have done more "time and materials" jobs this year than I have ever done and I love it. Stanley thank you for this video Man, it really gives me a new outlook on my business. I ran a $16 add in a free paper for 6 months when I first started and that is all the advertisement I have done. My advertisement is all word of mouth from my clients, it's the kind of advertisement you can't buy. Keep up the great vids Stanley.
This is almost my same story but I was managing a high-line auto shop in a downtown city dealership. I started doing small repairs and landscaping for people around town. Big companies don't want to take small jobs, they see it as a waste of time. I come in and make some cash for a morning or afternoon of work and still have time to do work at home. ALL my business is through word of mouth from happy clients. Such a better life.
Been doing this same thing started 3 years ago at 22 with seamless gutters but was electrictian prior for 3 years. Been self employed me and my girlfriend for several years and able to make 75$ hr for both of us on handy jobs plus more in seamless gutter field. But love what we do basically work 9 months and travel 3 months of the year driving across the 🇺🇸. Been watching ur videos for about a year now in you keep putting out great content..👍👍
Im a flooring installer making, 4500 to 6000$ a month at 28, no weekends, and im only working 6 hour days so I can spend time with my family. I work by the square footage or yardage and material costs plus moving furniture and take up, haul away and all the little profit boosters. Working out of a store as a subcontractor and on my own taking calls when the store is slow, love my job and love my life, There is only one other installer my age in my tri state area of approximately 250 square miles. Learn a trade, do it well, don't get in debt, and love your job and your family.
One of the best parts of this is the story he told about how he did a job and only made $3.00 an hour but his guys still made $15.00. It’s something you see with Stan is pretty much every episode. No matter what happens you take care of your guys, that’s awesome to see.
Good video. I was just laid off from a $63k job as a QC lab tech. I am looking to go into this same handyman type self employment, I already have several jobs lined up by word of mouth. I want to do some schooling first as I can get it paid for, but God willing, this will work for me. Thanks again for information videos.
Undervaluing your work and not setting your prices at a scalable amount is easily avoidable, number one figure out what the going rate is for the task. if you have little experience start your pricing at the low part of the average and scale up to the top end as competency levels increase. I underbid jobs for years, it seems like it is a pandemic amongst entrepreneurs. The ray of sunshine is after you hit rock bottom, you realize you can't do that anymore, in a way that is ingrained in your soul. you stop making that mistake. You then evaluate how much you are really worth and how much your guys are worth and you hold your standard and you wonder how you could be so silly for so long. Or you just give up. Or you just close up the business and you don't learn the lesson. Thanks for all your great videos Stan, you the man.
I'm in my 4th year of self employment. Asphalt seal coating pays the bills. Handyman work, including kitchens/bathrooms and just about everything the average homeowner SHOULD be able to do is all "gravy". I work part time...5-6 hr days, 3-4 days a week. I make enough from May 1st - mid-October to cover the whole year. I take a couple small jobs through the winter, just to keep busy...kinda! Most days, I make as much as I ever did in a whole week, working for anyone else. It's a beautiful thing!
That is a critical element! I did without for many years...the majority of my food was grown myself and/or hunted. I spent 20+ years acquiring skills learned from others. I did side work that I was comfortable/confident with and all that money was set aside. Now, at (almost) 44....all my equipment, tools, trucks, etc are paid for...nice house on 5 acres is paid for. I can step out my back door and send as much lead down-range as I wish....naked even, if I wanted to...and nobody complains! Best part is...I'm still young enough to enjoy the free time!
Damn man I just ran across a video for a job I’m starting next week and have been watching three hours now… you give a lot of good tips man new subscriber from me!
I have a carpenter here in Australia that works that exact way and he is awesome. He isn’t the cheapest but he is a perfectionist like me and goes above and beyond what he needs to, to make the job better every time. I’ll be using him for life now on anything I need.
Good vid, I'm carpenter in Australia and most of my jobs are Charge Out (time + material) It's always encouraging hearing that other people are doing the same. Cheers and Good job :)
As someone who started out in food and plumbing but am now in the white collar world - I can tell you blue collar people seem happier. Blue collar people better support each other. White collar is dog eat dog. I'll be back to blue collar before my working life is over because I enjoyed it more.
Stanley, great video! Wish I would of seen this when it first came out. I too worked "white collar" for 22 years. During that time I was always also flipping houses (BEFORE IT WAS COINED "FLIPPING") . The day came when I couldn't take the travel OR the politics. That was 2016 since then I started and have been running a successful remodeling business.
I'm very glad it worked out for this guy...I'm a Nurse and am very very lucky to make great $ and love what i do.....for my kids i tell them do whatever u love and usually you can make a good living with that....Blue collar is awesome until you get old....lol.....white collar allows you to work longer and not as hard...both have advantages and drawbacks.....i am still in awe whenever any contractor comes to my home to do a job.....the instant gratification of completing a project must feel so so good...,much admiration for anybody with these type of skills...unfortunately for me....I'm all thumbs and feel pride when i hang a picture frame straight...love your videos
good advice. i've been doing electrical t+m for the 19 years after highschool. high quality trades work t+m is a great way to build a reputation and have a chill lifestyle
Hearing him talk about the $3/hr job reminds me of when I managed restaurants. I was salary, and many weeks, my "hourly" pay was lower than some of my employees. I'm so glad I got out of that rat race, and started my own lawncare business.
Thanks for the vids!! I've dabbled over the years doing renovations with/for friends, helped flip a couple houses, etc. I've got a few friends now that play/work in real estate and want me to help them more 'officially'. After just a few weeks working with them we are looking at Lic/Bonding/Insurance etc for my LLC. I've worked 25+ years in IT but I like building and fixing REAL things, and the IT field has gone south in terms of income and professional quality and I can't stand it, so maybe this is a new career happening? (My first love/run through college was for Architectural and Mechanical Engineering.....we were still drafting on paper at that time.) These videos are a big help, the more detail the better, as I dust off my old lessons and update with newer concepts. Keep 'em coming!!
I’m self employed in construction I’m very very busy and I miss my freedom. Problem is almost the same as the “once you go management” argument. My problem is I couldn’t go back to just working as a journeyman for a construction company because I love being the boss. I just need to figure out how to get my freedom back. Once you get bigger you’re no longer free because my customers become the boss. If they need my machines I jump to get them what they need. I’m working right now on a Sunday playing catch up on billing. Ugh it’s almost like doing homework!! I hate homework.
I feel like the take on white collar workers is a bit shortsighted based on his bad experience. The biggest factor for a white collar worker's relationship to salary is how much stress can you handle. The same is true for blue collar workers. If you can achieve alleviating stress for your superiors doing a minimal number of hours because you are running "your" business (or portion thereof) smoothly, then more power to you... and more salary to you proportionately. Nowadays more and more white collar jobs approve of flexible hours and remote work so it's easier than ever to do great work and get a good income from being a white collar worker. Great video though it's nice to see someone doing so good for themselves in a blue collar job after all the hurdles.
I've undervalued myself in the past as well. Once I stopped doing that things changed quickly. Charge what you think the job is worth to you (or negotiate for a better salary at work) and don't apologize for it.
A good reputation is where it's at, I can name my prices (most of the time) based on the customer being completely warmed up from my previous customer who recommended me . . I will say this I'm also in a really great market outside of Charlotte NC . . When I go on road trips and drive through the rural areas I wonder how well contractors do away from masses of potential customers... it seems like you'd have to be well versed on bigger equipment outside of the city not enough easy smaller jobs to get your beak wet on first ...
Been doing this for years, it works!!!! I'm at 80$ , but I do electrical, plumbing, trim, sheetrock, a/c, framing, just about anything on a house, just gotta be able to sell the hourly wage
He could have left the hospital and went directly to 3rd party players as a consultant for $75 to $90 an hour with full benefits. Don't knock blue or white collar jobs, just set the bar high, don't stay stagnant, always add to your skill sets.
The skill is dying because an entire generation was told to avoid blue collar work to go to college and how the field is aging with no one to replace them.
Makes guys like me a rarity and I'm not mad about it. Millennial Electrician with job security. I figured Electricity isn't going anywhere, so I might as well fix peoples problems.
Mr.ThunderChief Good for you! I hate it when people generalize about Millennials. There are lots of sharp young guys, gals too, who are making it working with their hands and let’s not forget our service members, most of whom are millennials too.
The skill is dying because people are raised picking up a phone and being helpless. If kids don't start doing things young the odds of them developing the interest are low.
I think some of the comments above are out of line. Brett is not saying he's Rockefeller, he saying he was in corporate white collar management, and felt he was over worked and under paid. So he became a handyman/repairman and now has more freedom and quality of life. Who knows if he has 2 years booked or not. Maybe it's really 12 months, whatever. Point is, he made the transition to blue collar, feels it was the right decision for him, and now he and Stanley are sharing his story with us. Good for him. I would like a follow-up vid where he recoounts some of the actual conversations he has, particularlly with new clients. Even though he's T&M, I'm assuming he give some type of hours estimate, which is a loose bid in and of itself. For example the towel rack, I thinking he would say, "I see the problem, gotta reinforce the hanger, replace the drywall, tape and paint, figure 3-4 hours." And if he's still there after 6 hours without a good reason, I'm guessing he lets the homeowner shut him down, pay for the 6 hours, and send Brett on his way. BTW the math does support what he's saying. He said he was making $80k as a nurse manager, and now makes "about the same" working 3-4 days per week. First hour is $50, each additional hour is $40. So figure he averages 4 days/week for 50 weeks, not 52 weeks due to personal vacation and holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving when few people want workers at their house. So 50weeks*4days*1st hour at $50 is $10k annual. The remaining time of 50weeks*4 days*7hrs*40 is another $56k, so $66k total. That's only for 32 hours a week, if he adds 4 hours for 36 week, or has more than one service charge each day, there's the extra 50*4*40 = $8,000 for $74k. To all the previous commenters calling BS on the guy, his math adds up. Myself, I think he has a watchable disposition, good voice, seems to enjoy explaining things, so I think Brett should start his own youtube and just set up a camera and give us some before, during, and after narration on his various jobs. Kinda like South Main Auto or Andrew Camarata. Throw in some Hawaii beaches and bikini's and Brett will be at 250k subscribers in no time. Then he'll be able to stop doing handyman work and talk to the camera all day... just like Stan!
I love the concept, but what about health insurance? That is one thing that makes people hesitant in leaving their jobs for self employment. Again, I love the concept of self employment, just a question that I don't see anyone talking about.
@@coltsgood99 what I mean is when you charge less than you should just to get work it’s very hard to get out of that. All the people you get are people that will never pay what it’s worth so it’s a loser situation. The people you get will always want that cheap price and when you don’t they go somewhere else.
It's the absolute truth! I'm in my 4th year of self employment (handyman/trades). I can easily make as much in a short day, as I did in a week working for anyone else. That's not every day of course, but at least 1-2 days each week. Annually, it works out to be about the same as I was making...BUT...I work less than half as much as I used to. I rarely even work an 8 hour day...usually 4-6 hours, and for only about 6 months of the year. I have plenty of time (and the money) to work my property, go fishing, flying, and spending countless hours sitting in the woods waiting on "woods meat" to stroll on in....there aint much that'll beat a bacon wrapped backstrap on a charcoal grill!!!
This is precisely where im at. 17 years as a police officer and im seriously considering where my loyalties lie. Yourself, Brian @ Brians Lawn Maintenance are making it much more apparent which decision i should make. Great Video.
@@dirtybirdservices1130 If you play the RUclips card right you'll make way more than any regular job. I've been researching how RUclips works and it's fascinating what people "could" make. I too plan to start a RUclips channel but about Automotive stuff. Just like fixing them cars!
This dude's story doesn't add up... Regular RN makes easily 80k a year. A nurse "practitioner" Makes easily over 120k is most major cities in the U.S. No, they won't make you come in for a 12 hour night shift and expect you to get up the following morning and work a full day. I worked night shift in an E.R for several years. Yes, i too quit RN to become a handyman and yes I make more money and better hours.
@A A depends on where you live. In Utah a RN will start at about 40k-45K a year, unless you pick a nursing job taking care of old veterans and risk getting punched in the face by grumpy sick man.
I have no college degree. I teach Karate 16 hours a week and make eighty five thousand a year. Teach what I want, how I want. No overhead because I teach at a Rec center. I took a college class 20 years ago and a teacher told me I couldn’t make a living doing what I do. Anyways, do what you love!
This is all true... I come from the trades and worked my way to project manager on the the ships. Long hours and many fires to put out daily, but the pay was decent. I taken a step back as a government employee as a warehouse man.. I have a side hustle as a metal fabricator, which I make good money when I get gigs. Not consistent enough to quit day job yet..... Your video is on point, keep them coming....
Yup, I've 20+ years of being a Radiological Technologist and want nothing to do with management. The new manager one year was also a first time manager. He didn't care much for me, because I was his only (perceived) source of competition. That was the dynamic for almost a year. After having a talk with him that I have no interest in his job and would never be in competition for it, out relationship improved. I also went part-time a few years ago and started my own tree removal company, something I learned in my 20s. Since also growing up with a general contractor father, having my own framing contractor business in my 20s, and building 2 homes of my own (doing everything), I toyed around with handyman stuff, but I didn't care for the excessive customer service involved. There is enough of it in the hospital environment. I currently split my work situation between 3 shifts every 2 weeks at the hospital and my tree removal gig. It's a lot less draining.
Sincerely proud of you for figuring out the grind, my dude. White collar ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Hopefully you can go full-time with your tree service very soon!
I work as a locomotive diesel mechanic for a class 1 railroad in the west coast(was an automotive technician for GM dealers and a couple indy shops, always wrenched since childhood though) making 90k a year. Such a chill job, so I'm always full of energy. I still work out of my garage fixing all types of cars, trucks and that's all cash🤫 lol. Last year, 2020, I grossed 102k in my garage alone doing side jobs. Needless to say, life is good. My lady is going to school to be a psychologist. I'm 34, she's 33 and we're Latinos(Central American background). There's money out there, you just have to go out and work for it, get yourself a skill. Nothing wrong with college, but choose wisely. I have an AS degree for automotive repair/technology and alternative fuels. Just some insight.
Was it difficult to get into that? I’m a diesel tech as well and I’ve always wanted to work on locomotives or anything big. I live in the Midwest and the wages here are abysmal.
Just like the man in the video. Did 23 yrs in the medical field and can tell you that YOU are doing the most sensible thing. Worked 16 hrs day and never had a life. Left the office to have the martinis at $18.00 a drink in Beverly Hills (Chaya) and hated the fact that the next day I had to go back to work. Love taking care of people, but hated not having a life. Today I am a bartender, I have plenty of time to surf in the AM and have fun with the Doctors, Lawyers and CPAs at night making crazy money and listening to the same complaints I had as medical person back in the day. Moral of the story, do what makes you happy and CHARGE the white collar dudes what you want if you are the best at what you do. They will appreciate it. BELIEVE me. Go get them Non!!
If you have your own tools try doing small jobs for elderly people in your neighborhood. I am a 66 year old woman and do my own small repair/remodeling of my home because I can't find a handyman that does quality work for what they charge. Or they want full pay and don't finish the job. It will build a client base and word of mouth goes a long way. Hope you become successful.
Nons: Don't hate school; learn all you can. The more math and English you know and use well, the better off you are. I use algebra all the time trying to figure out stuff. I also do math in my head all the time.
The issue I found with other contractors using this method is, you can’t get enough done in a day and the customer cuts your pay at the end of the week. I personally have never tried it, but I know people who have.
i was a mechanic for 17yrs, low ages, disr4epect, no time off, i quit and started doing mobile work. then people asked to their house, before i knew it i was only working on houses. in 13 weeks i made $21500 maybe working 35hours a week including driving. i went back to mechanics, i run my own business and make a lot less money fixing cars. but i love it.
As a customer, I've gotta' have an idea of how many hours (i.e., cost) the job will take. An answer like, "I won't know until I dig into it" just won't cut it. To me that means the job could cost $500 or it could cost $500,000. An acceptable answer is, probably between 10 and 20 hours unless blah blah blah happens. There has to be something to get me in the ballpark so I know how much to budget.
As a remodeling contractor I get it . I give ballpark estimates But with line item specifics anything beyond that is a change order, but the only real fair way is T&M
I agree. I'm a remodeling contractor for 33 years. I spend a lot of time doing detailed estimates showing what's included & NOT included. Change orders are common. Never done time & material. Wouldn't work on $20k-$40k bathroom jobs or $30k-$75k kitchen jobs, etc. I work by myself & hire electrician & plumber to do their thing. Frankly, I do make more per hour on smaller 1-2 day jobs, but there's a lot more planning & running around involved to get months of those lined up. I'm thankful to be booked out 4+ months at this point.
My lawn service $125 a hour but that includes debris removal. If I get on a ladder its $200 a hour. My reputation and speed of service is what sells it for me. I probably land about 75% of the jobs. It can be done.Be sure to be confident and stay fast when people try to negotiate. I do not negotiate my lawn prices at all.
@@tylerlong281 Myself $125 hour. If I hire help then I try to get $100 hour each for them. I can get it done faster with help but I shouldnt short change myself I believe. I factor in my tools, labor costs, materials and so on but if I'm going to manage these guys I'm going to get paid for it as well but my guys know if they come and work hard I am happy to bonus them all the time. They dont expect a bonus but they can tell when its been a good day and I feel this is a great way to motivate them.
I’ve been in business about 3 years, we work 51 weeks a year mostly 5/6 day weeks. So we have done our far share of projects but in my area which is Coastal North Carolina i have not pressed the prices that high (or didn’t know that’s the going rate for some companies) I run a crew of three guys on my construction crew and I have one guy that maintains about 20 or so homes. The most I’ve been able to get is about $60 an hour on the maintenance. And about 40-50 an hour on the construction projects. (Paver patios stone retaining walls wooden decks irrigation sod and all the other basic services we can offer) But I do price all the construction projects on a bid basis. Some days are better than others of course but there’s also projects where I’ve almost done it for nothing. I guess my questions for you are what kind of landscaping are you doing and where are you based out of? Also how do you bid these jobs?
Tyler Long I’m based in Edmond Oklahoma which is probably one of the more well to do areas around okc. I’m really a lawn service but have been asked to do more and more landscaping jobs. Nothing major like mulch and flowers. I have really started pushing my prices higher and higher. I do so much landscape maintenance that my customers refer me out and I get lots of great reviews on Nextdoor. My average lawn is $70 which is a far cry from $35. That $70 yard I can complete solo in 30-40 mins. As I get new customer bids I push the price a little more and at this point I really don’t negotiate anymore. I think I’m really confident in my bids and explain how I get to that price and they usually look like they just learned something and ask me when can I start. I just basically look at the job and just start calculating the hours it’ll take x $125 and I include get material time as well. Even my lawn customers know if I trim bushes I charge my hourly rate. Also to me I would rather have less people working for me so I make more per hour. I had a big crew and I swear at the end of the day I barely made anymore than a small crew but I had to spread my money thinner bc of it.
The white collar world does not all think one way. At my business, a global manufacturer of products used in the skilled trades industry, we look for candidates that can replace us. It is part of our culture to hire people smarter than us, and other companies think the same way.
The best thing about being self-employed in the trades is the option to be able to trade time and money. If you are great at what you do, the amount of work and opportunity to make a ton of money is endless. You can choose to work 100 hours per week and pull down some serious coin in a short time frame if that is your thing. You can also pretty much set your own work hours and schedule. For instance....I am not a morning person. Therefore, I don’t schedule any work before noon. I work 3-4 afternoons per week as a plumber and take Memorial Day to Labor Day off each year to enjoy my hobbies. The lifestyle I choose to live is not for everyone. I live very simply (think minimalism). So as in everything in life, there is a trade off
So incredibly true that you don't need a college degree! Things have changed but most people's thinking has not. I actually had a teacher in high school tell me I would never amount to anything successful when they learned that I was not going to college. I'm not bragging but the irony that I earn 3-4 times a teacher's salary needs to be stated. There are simply less people that want to work hard so they don't get into trades these days.... Basic supply and demand.
I have some close friends that are contractors. They've taught me a lot over the years. They are always busy because they know what they're doing, they show up and do the job right the first time and are honest. Where I lived prior to this house if you were a contractor that answered your phone you were half way to making a living. Most didn't return calls or never followed through on what they said they'd do.
Yo, I just came across your video and I am so glad I did. This is a terrific idea and a high quality video imparting important, relevant information I intend to use so I want to thank you sir!! Please make more similar videos.🤙🏽
Live in central Illinois. I know of gentlemen how started doing little things for one guy. Was given keys the gentleman’s house when they went on vacation. He worked at corporate headquarters of an insurance company. Other started asking him to their house. Quite job at insurance company and started his own business.
I previously worked blue collar and it’s vastly overrated. There is not enough money in the world to get me to return to skilled trade jobs. The truth is that they are not anymore necessary than some white collar work. In the end, every individual needs to find what is helpful for them, and I don’t mean having a fat paycheck.
Blue Collar worker here. I have been doing Heavy Commercial & industrial HVAC for the past 20 years. He is right, quality work, it sells & customers notice. That’s what I do. I have customers that will wait for me until I am available or offer to pay overtime. Unfortunately I dont see things getting better as the corporate world is not training the people the way we should be. As the old adage goes it takes money to make money.
I spent 11 years getting a college degree. Working while going to school part time. I left college and worked in a restaurant and moved to manager. Hated it moved to retail worked up to supervisor. Loved it but my store closed and got caught up in the over qualified area of retail. Spent a couple of summers cutting grass and shoveling asphalt in Public works. Loved the Jobs hated taking orders from management. (The guys were good people. Just well bosses) went out with my snowblower and did driveways over the winter. I figured I should go into Landscaping myself. As a solo operator I am making money love what I do and still able to use that college education. Although I have to admit I could have done it without that.
I’ve been a residential building contractor for years and live off of my wife’s director of nursing job. The years that I make $10,000 are rare but feel like a win. Last year I made $8000 on just over $500,000 in sales. I work around 80 hour weeks and currently am down to one employee. Keep these videos up, because I’m not seeing this kind of thing in South Dakota and can use some pointers. (Or maybe just shut down the business and never touch a hammer again)
You're WAY under pricing. Listen to many of Stan's videos as well as Keith Kalfas ruclips.net/user/TheEmployeeTrap and Brians lawn mainenance ruclips.net/channel/UC-rcXs51R_ezTebXtx7dAZQ. You should be making a minimum of $75 per hour unless you live in an extremely cheap area. That's $3,000 per week or $156,000 per year if you work 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year. I think you may need coaching/lessons on pricing/bidding. Heck, if you gave up construction and did lawn mowing 26 weeks per year having just 5 lawns per day for 25 lawns per week at $35 per lawn you'd make more at $19,500 per year assuming a $5 per yard overhead. 5 lawns at that price would probably take under 3 hours including drive time. So next year you could double the lawns and make double and not have an employee. South Dakota has snow so you could make additional money with snow removal in the winter of $10,000 with 25 driveways at $25 per for 20 storms assuming $5 per driveway overhead. In under 2 years, you could/should be making $50-75,000 profit.
Too many people nowadays discount blue collar jobs. I'm a mechanic I work at a car dealership. last year I made 60k and I work at a leisurely pace. Guys I work with who work faster made 70 to 80k. Working 40-50 hrs per week. The shop I work in is climate controlled and has showers if I get real dirty. It took hard work and a few years before I got to this position but that is the same with any job weather you go to college or not. Alot of people think you go to college and automaticly get a good job and that is just not the case, if you arent willing to work hard and do good work a good job is not going to happen.
Mark From Texas Interesting. I read a lot of bitching on other sites and forums about flat rate. Especially in dealerships. Is your place hourly, flat rate or some combination?
I’m right into the same transition in my life. It’s been 14 months since leaving a desk job. I’m finally turning the corner towards profitability. I still need a little luck for winter income, but if I can break even I think next year will be profitable.
Im a journey electrician 40 yrs. A carpenter just as long, then I started home repair and small remodeling and maintenance. I'm a 58 yo badness woman. I agree with this guy, but I charge more per hour. Hourly vs bid u never get hurt. I charge a iding scale the more hours I work I charge less per hour at 6 hrs which is as much as I do $300 hrs. I rarely work over, sometimes I charge piece, such as ceiling fans are a set price. $75 for a replacement. It takes an hour sometimes more If I have to run it from scratch or any circuit it's $150 average. I am in the electricial trade 40 years.
I just did an hourly job. The owner just kept adding things. It was local and I charged 62.5 hourly. No matter how long it took. Plastering, woodwork and portland/Lyme a basement wall that had spaulding.
I know a guy in my italian hometown who's literally the only able tractor mechanic in the entire region, he gets called from literally everywhere in country where an old tractor is on the edge between capable hands and the scrapyard. As I'm a nurse myself, i know what it feels like to work yourself to the bone for very little in return. I'm interested in every possible handy jobs and love learning new skills but I'm too scared from moving away from a stable income.
Been a General Contractor for 30 years, had 5 men working for me,, but I realized I was just supplying them a job,,I got rid of them all, now I do handyman work because I can do all the trades, I'm happier than ever,,,I work less and make more overall.
A nurse practitioner in charge of 80 to 90 people only making 80-90k a year seems absurdly low. You can make that as an np without managing any staff and working m-f at an outpatient clinic.
I don't know anyone who thinks that white collar is the only way to success. I think that's an old narrative that hasn't applied since the early 80's. I was a contractor in Montana. Built residential homes and apartment buildings with my father and brother. We grew the business to a total of three businesses. We did everything from excavation/dirt work, framing, concrete, finish work, all except for major plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. We also did all the landscaping. Blue collar is great as anyone will tell you. For me, and maybe because that's all I knew, I wanted to try something different. During those years, I taught myself software engineering. Now I live in the Twin Cities (not far from you Dirt Monkey), and I'm a full time software engineer working for an investment bank, and I make more than I was during my years as a project manager overseeing two crews of 10-12 guys total. I also don't have to worry about the weather, snow, rain, cold, heat, etc. I don't even have to leave my house because my house is my office. Granted, this is not the work life everyone wants but it suits me for now and I have significantly less stress. Also, your generalization about "the more experience you accumulate, the bigger the threat you become to the people above you" is only partially true, and it applies to blue-collar as much as it does white collar. In fact, I was a PM with a large home-builder in Washington State and learned this first-hand. Now, as a software engineer, the more experience I accumulate = greater pay. I've had zero issues with your so-called "problem" in the white-collar world. The guy you're interviewing is speaking from anecdotal experience and it simply doesn't translate well when he tries to paint the white-collar world with a big brush the way he does. The same problems that exist in the white-collar world also exist in the blue-collar world. It honestly sounds like he either worked for a bad company or he wasn't very skilled in his job. If you're the kind of person to make fun of folks who go to college to learn and earn a degree, then it says a lot about your character and personality. Not everyone who goes to college does so with the intent to earn a high wage. I know plenty of folks, both white and blue collar, who went the direction they chose because of their passion, not because of the wage. I attended college for eight years simply because I love to learn. I worked during those years and put myself through school all of those years, in addition to taking out loans. I have no regrets what-so-ever because life is more than just work. Life is about discovery, curiosity, and passion. I was homeschooled my whole life until my college years and that in-itself taught me the value of self-learning, motivation, and humbleness.
I gave up 80k a year as well. Was sitting at a desk for 50 hours a week with an hour one way drive. I'm now doing home repairs, decks and fences. Wish I would've done the change sooner!
w. k3900 sweet. You should make videos of your projects
How did you learn to do home repair, etc? Did you go to trade school?
How old were you when you made the change?
I go to work ever day, LOVING my job. Homeschooled with no college, raising and providing for a large family "mine" all on blue collar craftsmanship! Hard work and self motivation can get you anywhere.
You mind if I ask the state and if union/non-union?
@@hermetix7231 Georgia, non union.
When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2003 I was a commercial electrician in California, non-union. I do not have favorable opinions on unions.
Perhaps the best advice I've seen in your videos. Reputation built on top-quality work, solid work ethics and fair pricing. I'm happy to spend top dollar when the workmanship and work ethic is second to none. Respecting ourselves first shows and we lead others to respect us in return. The win-win system is a fantastic way to build ourselves and simultaneously build up others.
Managed a hospital and only made 80k, decent money but considering managing a hospital that's not nearly enough. I would've quit too.
Tim Fischer Bingo. Way underpaid
They described two different things. Stan called it "managing a hospital", but he said "nurse manager". That's not the same thing, at all. Also, having a nurse manager fill in unpaid for an RN shift is illegal. Well, against union regs, anyway. Wouldn't happen much in a bigger place run by unions.
I don’t think he was managing a hospital. He was managing nursing staff in a specific department. A hospital administrator is going to make deep into 6 figures, depending on the size of the hospital.
Whether hospital administrator or nursing manager, one has to be willing to spend their entire life at the hospital and tethered to the hospital via hospital-issued Iphone when "off." Essentially, you're never really off. I ran a hospital department for many years and the hospital increasingly melded work and off time into work time. As I grew older, I increasingly sensed my own mortality and what a dead end, at any salary, spending one's life at work is. Many physicians and hospital lawyers I came to know and worked with were miserable in spite of making good money. Many of the professions and jobs we're taught to covet when we are young are nothing but life-sucking, stress-filled, prisons. Being able to afford a couple expensive power vacations each year is not worth the six-figure salaries, in my opinion. You'll probably have to have your company-issued Iphone with you on your power vacation, as well. One has to decide if the time spent getting ready for work, driving to work, the 10 - 12 hours at work, driving home from work and being on call while at home and on the weekends is worth any salary. Many of these jobs also require one to "drop by" the work location on weekends, overnight, etc., to "check on things,." and you're also expected to be involved in community events during evening and weekend hours in order to promote your employer. One might just as well have their mail sent to their work location. No thanks!
Being successful isn't based solely on income for myself. I'm very blue collar. If I make 20.00 an hour, I live a lifestyle as is I'm making 14.00 an hour. Refuse to by new vehicles and materialistic items that won't help me make money. Hard work, self discipline, and living within your means has been the key for me. I'm 41 yrs old, and have everything I need to enjoy life. That big fancy house and vehicles won't bring me long term happiness. But 20 acres of land that I can cash rent to a farmer that in return pays for my taxes and family vacations brings me plenty of joy. And something that can be handed down to family that holds value.
I've been an Electrician for over 30 years. When I was non-Union, I had jobs at every level from helper to Field Superintendent, Project Manager; even General Manager. I had many times along the way where I'd hire in just looking to work or maybe be just a Foreman, and apparently my abilities threatened the guy I worked under. Next thing you know, I was DTR (down the road) electric. They'd have me fixing other peoples work, doing the tricky things or the exposed work, stayed very productive, didn't break any rules, was careful not to undermine authority or knowledge, never was late or called in and still same crap - spineless job-scared guy above me. Happens in blue collar too.
48 laws of power
I never really understood that, they never actually are truly threatening your job... you train them to take your job so you can move up
About to quit my job making 30$ hr and going to Japan for an apprenticeship in japanese gardening. F working for corporations
cannabis is illegal in japan stiff punishment other than that japan is very very clean
Congratulations! I hope you do well
@@shotta809 thanks! I hope so too
Just know years 1-3 will be tough and make you want to quit at times. Year 5 you'll start balancing and making good money.
Adam, please do.
My Dad was a self employed trades man in carpentry, plumbing and electrical. He was strictly time and material and never in his life run out of work. Mom was a stay at home mom to 3 boys of which one was a special needs boy. He provided all we needed everyday. We were also small family farmers. I am now in my 70's and retired, first from the USAF and then I spent 21 years as an industrial electrician for the same company making a good hourly wage plus overtime as needed. I knew my job and did excellent work. I was the primary go to guy when something broke or to install new equipment. I worked with no engineers, no blue prints only a list of what equipment needed to be installed and its electrical requirements. I ordered, received and installed. I have no college in it, no trade school other than my Dad to age 19. I am comfortable in my retirement.
John Irwin I’m a 15 year old learning carpentry and once I graduate I plan on starting a business with a friend from school.
I started doing Electrical work and man I dont know if I want to stick with it, i came in with a mindset that i will love the trade just Like some other guys here claimed so.... I sometimes watch Carpentry videos and think that looks cool i want to learn that but i dont know if ill want to stick with that either
hey im thinking of joining the air force and doing electrician work (electrical systems) or any other trade work
@@repothenon2706 Make sure you have legal agreements in place in case things go awry...
White collar turned blue welding. Just landed a good step up job doing tunnel boring machines by going direct and selling myself, much better than what I was told was "possible" by a middleman company. Desk jobs are great for those who wanna live for the desk.
You always have the best information for the blue collar guys! I’m so glad I found you.
In high school the guidance counselors stressed going to college. My father was a union tradesman provided us with a very comfortable living. During the summer vacations he got us summer jobs with the contractor he worked for. So I learned to work with my hands. Fast forward I graduate high school, worked construction got my union book. I got laid off then went to school I got my degree worked white collar for about 15yrs. I enjoyed what I did, but I was a slave. I left the industry and went back into the trades and loving it.
I was teaching at the best Highschool, which prepared kids for the real world. They had a wood shop, auto shop, welding shop, electronic classes, drafting classes and computer construction with function classes. When these kids graduated they had good paying jobs and many earned more than I did, their first year, with no debt. They also had something the College bound kids did not, and that was a stable carrier. and sense of self worth with accomplishment.. Sadly, here in the U.S,. many High Schools had phased out Blue Collar carrier classes that offer opportunity with a J.O.B .and not a P.H.D...i always considered America was built on Blue Collar workers, and Industrial workers.. i am retired now but worked many Blue Collar jobs, when I was younger and during the summers.
Great advice. Living in New Mexico with a giant immigrant population, there’s always some hack job that can do it cheaper. Not a lot of people here understand that good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good
You've got to market to the affluent. They don't want illegals running around inside their house.
First step is to understand what quality is before you can do a quality job. Everyone has there own perception of what quality based on their level of experience. Do the best job you can every time and figure out how to do it better the next time, continuous improvement is so important!
# 1 moved to an area that can afford a Handyman and Landscapers.. Where i live 99% fix things themself.. I came from Silicon Valley, there no problem.
My son finished his medical degree at Barts here in London,UK and just could not stand medicine,left to run a scrap yard.The others all left white collar route and started doing jobs that others sneer at where they earn more money and have a life.
It's a great video guys. I respect the hard work too. I do have a suggestion though... own real estate. More people generate wealth and PASSIVE income with RE. I am military retired and I own 12 homes. My wife and I don't work except to maintain our own homes. Most of our work is just communication between tenants and I do repairs about twice a week.
Stanley, thank you for the inspirational videos - you are bringing the message, and I want to just say I am extremely grateful for all your uploaded videos. More please!
Thank you Matthew , I really appreciate the great comments!
As a high school teacher, I see the big push to get as many kids as possible to go to college, and many never use their majors, or drop out. Undergrad is a booming business. It’s for some, for sure. Thank you for making this vid Stan. Sorely needed to boost people (including me) to learn and specialize in a trade of high interest. Passion, love for learning, strong work ethic, and reputation is what it’s about!
That's right Justin, thank you !!
Knowledge is power and a good reputation is very very true.
I live on Waiheke island in Auckland and we're killing it out here. Driveways, retaining walls, clearing sections and mowing lawns.
Still got that ****ing Fullers' ferry service, though ;-)
@@gordowg1wg145 haha yes still got Fuller's. Where are you living now old Waiheke friend 😆
@@DJslushy92 Never lived there, just visited a couple of times, but they have been getting a LOT of press lately :-)
Lived a lot of places, but currently a Westie ;-)
@@gordowg1wg145 Sweet as West is best.
Good to see other Kiwis are on here watching.
When my college degree friends find out how much I make as a Union Electrician. The look on their faces.
I am a carpenter I get the same look
Mechanic here. Same thing. People think I am white collar
I just started trucking last year and made $80k. The schooling cost me $5k and only took 2 months. lol at college degrees
Yep, supply vs demand.
@Jack Tapley yeah depending on the area.
I have been a contractor with my own business for 18 yrs. now and I have experienced all of what you guys have been talking about. It's makes me feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one that has ended up working for "peanuts" on some jobs like you mentioned. You are correct when you say it is demoralizing and terrible for moral on the job and off for that matter. I have done more "time and materials" jobs this year than I have ever done and I love it. Stanley thank you for this video Man, it really gives me a new outlook on my business. I ran a $16 add in a free paper for 6 months when I first started and that is all the advertisement I have done. My advertisement is all word of mouth from my clients, it's the kind of advertisement you can't buy. Keep up the great vids Stanley.
Can i ask what your business is ?
@@natasharicklefs4806 I do remodeling and home repairs.
This is almost my same story but I was managing a high-line auto shop in a downtown city dealership. I started doing small repairs and landscaping for people around town. Big companies don't want to take small jobs, they see it as a waste of time. I come in and make some cash for a morning or afternoon of work and still have time to do work at home. ALL my business is through word of mouth from happy clients. Such a better life.
Thanks for sharing and for watching Linus!
Been doing this same thing started 3 years ago at 22 with seamless gutters but was electrictian prior for 3 years. Been self employed me and my girlfriend for several years and able to make 75$ hr for both of us on handy jobs plus more in seamless gutter field. But love what we do basically work 9 months and travel 3 months of the year driving across the 🇺🇸. Been watching ur videos for about a year now in you keep putting out great content..👍👍
Seamless up in Alaska
Nice 👍
Im a flooring installer making, 4500 to 6000$ a month at 28, no weekends, and im only working 6 hour days so I can spend time with my family. I work by the square footage or yardage and material costs plus moving furniture and take up, haul away and all the little profit boosters. Working out of a store as a subcontractor and on my own taking calls when the store is slow, love my job and love my life, There is only one other installer my age in my tri state area of approximately 250 square miles. Learn a trade, do it well, don't get in debt, and love your job and your family.
One of the best parts of this is the story he told about how he did a job and only made $3.00 an hour but his guys still made $15.00. It’s something you see with Stan is pretty much every episode. No matter what happens you take care of your guys, that’s awesome to see.
That’s part of contracting. An honest contractor holds his bid no matter what and help always gets paid whether you do or not.
Good video. I was just laid off from a $63k job as a QC lab tech. I am looking to go into this same handyman type self employment, I already have several jobs lined up by word of mouth. I want to do some schooling first as I can get it paid for, but God willing, this will work for me.
Thanks again for information videos.
Undervaluing your work and not setting your prices at a scalable amount is easily avoidable, number one figure out what the going rate is for the task. if you have little experience start your pricing at the low part of the average and scale up to the top end as competency levels increase. I underbid jobs for years, it seems like it is a pandemic amongst entrepreneurs. The ray of sunshine is after you hit rock bottom, you realize you can't do that anymore, in a way that is ingrained in your soul. you stop making that mistake. You then evaluate how much you are really worth and how much your guys are worth and you hold your standard and you wonder how you could be so silly for so long. Or you just give up. Or you just close up the business and you don't learn the lesson. Thanks for all your great videos Stan, you the man.
I'm in my 4th year of self employment.
Asphalt seal coating pays the bills. Handyman work, including kitchens/bathrooms and just about everything the average homeowner SHOULD be able to do is all "gravy".
I work part time...5-6 hr days, 3-4 days a week. I make enough from May 1st - mid-October to cover the whole year. I take a couple small jobs through the winter, just to keep busy...kinda!
Most days, I make as much as I ever did in a whole week, working for anyone else.
It's a beautiful thing!
That's awesome man, sounds like you have an excellent ability to live well within your means.
That is a critical element! I did without for many years...the majority of my food was grown myself and/or hunted. I spent 20+ years acquiring skills learned from others. I did side work that I was comfortable/confident with and all that money was set aside. Now, at (almost) 44....all my equipment, tools, trucks, etc are paid for...nice house on 5 acres is paid for. I can step out my back door and send as much lead down-range as I wish....naked even, if I wanted to...and nobody complains! Best part is...I'm still young enough to enjoy the free time!
Lolol!!I've always said I need five acres at least so I can shoot and pee naked out my back door.!!!!! Can't believe you are saying the same thing!!!
Damn man I just ran across a video for a job I’m starting next week and have been watching three hours now… you give a lot of good tips man new subscriber from me!
I have a carpenter here in Australia that works that exact way and he is awesome. He isn’t the cheapest but he is a perfectionist like me and goes above and beyond what he needs to, to make the job better every time. I’ll be using him for life now on anything I need.
That's awesome , glad you found someone who works well for you . Thanks for watching !
Good vid, I'm carpenter in Australia and most of my jobs are Charge Out (time + material)
It's always encouraging hearing that other people are doing the same.
Cheers and Good job :)
That shop is a super time saver. I'm always shoe horned in to my basement.
As someone who started out in food and plumbing but am now in the white collar world - I can tell you blue collar people seem happier. Blue collar people better support each other. White collar is dog eat dog. I'll be back to blue collar before my working life is over because I enjoyed it more.
Thanks for sharing, gotta do what you love!
Stanley, great video! Wish I would of seen this when it first came out. I too worked "white collar" for 22 years. During that time I was always also flipping houses (BEFORE IT WAS COINED "FLIPPING") . The day came when I couldn't take the travel OR the politics. That was 2016 since then I started and have been running a successful remodeling business.
I'm very glad it worked out for this guy...I'm a Nurse and am very very lucky to make great $ and love what i do.....for my kids i tell them do whatever u love and usually you can make a good living with that....Blue collar is awesome until you get old....lol.....white collar allows you to work longer and not as hard...both have advantages and drawbacks.....i am still in awe whenever any contractor comes to my home to do a job.....the instant gratification of completing a project must feel so so good...,much admiration for anybody with these type of skills...unfortunately for me....I'm all thumbs and feel pride when i hang a picture frame straight...love your videos
good advice. i've been doing electrical t+m for the 19 years after highschool. high quality trades work t+m is a great way to build a reputation and have a chill lifestyle
Thanks for watching Emmett!
Thanks Mr. Stanley keep posting more videos about the skilled trades is so helpful. Thank you
I am glad that the vids are helpful to you, thank you!!
Hearing him talk about the $3/hr job reminds me of when I managed restaurants. I was salary, and many weeks, my "hourly" pay was lower than some of my employees.
I'm so glad I got out of that rat race, and started my own lawncare business.
Great video! When I tell a customer I’m booked out 3-4 weeks they seem to move on most times.
Thanks for the vids!!
I've dabbled over the years doing renovations with/for friends, helped flip a couple houses, etc. I've got a few friends now that play/work in real estate and want me to help them more 'officially'. After just a few weeks working with them we are looking at Lic/Bonding/Insurance etc for my LLC. I've worked 25+ years in IT but I like building and fixing REAL things, and the IT field has gone south in terms of income and professional quality and I can't stand it, so maybe this is a new career happening? (My first love/run through college was for Architectural and Mechanical Engineering.....we were still drafting on paper at that time.) These videos are a big help, the more detail the better, as I dust off my old lessons and update with newer concepts. Keep 'em coming!!
I don’t know about your area, but just know that there’s more to getting licensed and bonded than helping out friends doing some house work.
I’m self employed in construction I’m very very busy and I miss my freedom. Problem is almost the same as the “once you go management” argument. My problem is I couldn’t go back to just working as a journeyman for a construction company because I love being the boss. I just need to figure out how to get my freedom back. Once you get bigger you’re no longer free because my customers become the boss. If they need my machines I jump to get them what they need. I’m working right now on a Sunday playing catch up on billing. Ugh it’s almost like doing homework!! I hate homework.
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I feel like the take on white collar workers is a bit shortsighted based on his bad experience. The biggest factor for a white collar worker's relationship to salary is how much stress can you handle. The same is true for blue collar workers. If you can achieve alleviating stress for your superiors doing a minimal number of hours because you are running "your" business (or portion thereof) smoothly, then more power to you... and more salary to you proportionately. Nowadays more and more white collar jobs approve of flexible hours and remote work so it's easier than ever to do great work and get a good income from being a white collar worker. Great video though it's nice to see someone doing so good for themselves in a blue collar job after all the hurdles.
I love this story. It's hitting very close to home when I do small repairs for almost a weeks pay
I've undervalued myself in the past as well. Once I stopped doing that things changed quickly. Charge what you think the job is worth to you (or negotiate for a better salary at work) and don't apologize for it.
A good reputation is where it's at, I can name my prices (most of the time) based on the customer being completely warmed up from my previous customer who recommended me . . I will say this I'm also in a really great market outside of Charlotte NC . . When I go on road trips and drive through the rural areas I wonder how well contractors do away from masses of potential customers... it seems like you'd have to be well versed on bigger equipment outside of the city not enough easy smaller jobs to get your beak wet on first ...
I agree... The reputation does the heavy lifting sales wise
My hubby is trying to get into the handyman business to and leave his long hours white-collar job! Time is precious!
Definitely Pam , best of luck to him !
Been doing this for years, it works!!!! I'm at 80$ , but I do electrical, plumbing, trim, sheetrock, a/c, framing, just about anything on a house, just gotta be able to sell the hourly wage
That is a great point of view.
I just started trucking in January last year and made $80k my first year. The schooling cost me $5k and only took 2 months. lol at college degrees
Did you start out otr?
@@willrobertson9242 ya but regional not long haul. I’m home every weekend
@@lomparti thanks for the reply...which company did you start out with? ..80k first year is definitely worth it
@@willrobertson9242 I haul bulk loads with an end dump trailer. Find companies in your area that haul bulk or flatbed. That’s where the moneys at.
@@willrobertson9242 where are you located?
He could have left the hospital and went directly to 3rd party players as a consultant for $75 to $90 an hour with full benefits.
Don't knock blue or white collar jobs, just set the bar high, don't stay stagnant, always add to your skill sets.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom. I have always had the knowledge, I was just not using it properly. You have changed my life
That's awesome Tad, thanks for the comments!
YOU are The Man. You have the KNOW HOW. Believe in yourself and go freaking get what you are worth EVERY DAY!!!!! Blessing my friend!!!!!!!!!
The skill is dying because an entire generation was told to avoid blue collar work to go to college and how the field is aging with no one to replace them.
Makes guys like me a rarity and I'm not mad about it. Millennial Electrician with job security. I figured Electricity isn't going anywhere, so I might as well fix peoples problems.
Mr.ThunderChief Good for you! I hate it when people generalize about Millennials. There are lots of sharp young guys, gals too, who are making it working with their hands and let’s not forget our service members, most of whom are millennials too.
Mr.ThunderChief sane here bud
The skill is dying because people are raised picking up a phone and being helpless. If kids don't start doing things young the odds of them developing the interest are low.
The previous generation was the one that told them that..
I think some of the comments above are out of line. Brett is not saying he's Rockefeller, he saying he was in corporate white collar management, and felt he was over worked and under paid. So he became a handyman/repairman and now has more freedom and quality of life.
Who knows if he has 2 years booked or not. Maybe it's really 12 months, whatever. Point is, he made the transition to blue collar, feels it was the right decision for him, and now he and Stanley are sharing his story with us. Good for him. I would like a follow-up vid where he recoounts some of the actual conversations he has, particularlly with new clients. Even though he's T&M, I'm assuming he give some type of hours estimate, which is a loose bid in and of itself. For example the towel rack, I thinking he would say, "I see the problem, gotta reinforce the hanger, replace the drywall, tape and paint, figure 3-4 hours." And if he's still there after 6 hours without a good reason, I'm guessing he lets the homeowner shut him down, pay for the 6 hours, and send Brett on his way.
BTW the math does support what he's saying. He said he was making $80k as a nurse manager, and now makes "about the same" working 3-4 days per week. First hour is $50, each additional hour is $40. So figure he averages 4 days/week for 50 weeks, not 52 weeks due to personal vacation and holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving when few people want workers at their house.
So 50weeks*4days*1st hour at $50 is $10k annual. The remaining time of 50weeks*4 days*7hrs*40 is another $56k, so $66k total. That's only for 32 hours a week, if he adds 4 hours for 36 week, or has more than one service charge each day, there's the extra 50*4*40 = $8,000 for $74k.
To all the previous commenters calling BS on the guy, his math adds up.
Myself, I think he has a watchable disposition, good voice, seems to enjoy explaining things, so I think Brett should start his own youtube and just set up a camera and give us some before, during, and after narration on his various jobs. Kinda like South Main Auto or Andrew Camarata. Throw in some Hawaii beaches and bikini's and Brett will be at 250k subscribers in no time. Then he'll be able to stop doing handyman work and talk to the camera all day... just like Stan!
Andrew Camarata is a pretty cool dude.
I love the concept, but what about health insurance? That is one thing that makes people hesitant in leaving their jobs for self employment.
Again, I love the concept of self employment, just a question that I don't see anyone talking about.
The costs can be similar or more than if your employer helps out. Probably still worth doing the switch. This is why we need medicare for all.
Don’t devalue yourself you can never get away from being the cheap guy.
Could you elaborate on what you mean exactly?
@@coltsgood99 what I mean is when you charge less than you should just to get work it’s very hard to get out of that. All the people you get are people that will never pay what it’s worth so it’s a loser situation. The people you get will always want that cheap price and when you don’t they go somewhere else.
Changed my life when he said having time and freedom is as good as having money
It's the absolute truth!
I'm in my 4th year of self employment (handyman/trades). I can easily make as much in a short day, as I did in a week working for anyone else. That's not every day of course, but at least 1-2 days each week.
Annually, it works out to be about the same as I was making...BUT...I work less than half as much as I used to. I rarely even work an 8 hour day...usually 4-6 hours, and for only about 6 months of the year. I have plenty of time (and the money) to work my property, go fishing, flying, and spending countless hours sitting in the woods waiting on "woods meat" to stroll on in....there aint much that'll beat a bacon wrapped backstrap on a charcoal grill!!!
This is precisely where im at. 17 years as a police officer and im seriously considering where my loyalties lie. Yourself, Brian @ Brians Lawn Maintenance are making it much more apparent which decision i should make. Great Video.
Do both to start with and slowly work your way out of a day job.
Yes sir! That’s what we’re doing right now. We’re also actively working our new you tube channel and documenting our journey.
@@dirtybirdservices1130 If you play the RUclips card right you'll make way more than any regular job. I've been researching how RUclips works and it's fascinating what people "could" make. I too plan to start a RUclips channel but about Automotive stuff. Just like fixing them cars!
This dude's story doesn't add up... Regular RN makes easily 80k a year. A nurse "practitioner" Makes easily over 120k is most major cities in the U.S. No, they won't make you come in for a 12 hour night shift and expect you to get up the following morning and work a full day. I worked night shift in an E.R for several years. Yes, i too quit RN to become a handyman and yes I make more money and better hours.
@A A depends on where you live. In Utah a RN will start at about 40k-45K a year, unless you pick a nursing job taking care of old veterans and risk getting punched in the face by grumpy sick man.
Nursing Facility AKA Skilled Nursing Facility. Different ball game. OLD FOLKS HOME Hawaii. As a retired PA in Ortho. I believe him.
I have no college degree. I teach Karate 16 hours a week and make eighty five thousand a year. Teach what I want, how I want. No overhead because I teach at a Rec center. I took a college class 20 years ago and a teacher told me I couldn’t make a living doing what I do. Anyways, do what you love!
Very true! Thanks for the comments
This is all true... I come from the trades and worked my way to project manager on the the ships. Long hours and many fires to put out daily, but the pay was decent.
I taken a step back as a government employee as a warehouse man..
I have a side hustle as a metal fabricator, which I make good money when I get gigs. Not consistent enough to quit day job yet.....
Your video is on point, keep them coming....
Yup, I've 20+ years of being a Radiological Technologist and want nothing to do with management. The new manager one year was also a first time manager. He didn't care much for me, because I was his only (perceived) source of competition. That was the dynamic for almost a year. After having a talk with him that I have no interest in his job and would never be in competition for it, out relationship improved. I also went part-time a few years ago and started my own tree removal company, something I learned in my 20s. Since also growing up with a general contractor father, having my own framing contractor business in my 20s, and building 2 homes of my own (doing everything), I toyed around with handyman stuff, but I didn't care for the excessive customer service involved. There is enough of it in the hospital environment. I currently split my work situation between 3 shifts every 2 weeks at the hospital and my tree removal gig. It's a lot less draining.
Sincerely proud of you for figuring out the grind, my dude. White collar ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Hopefully you can go full-time with your tree service very soon!
This is the best video I watched. It's how I made my business
I work as a locomotive diesel mechanic for a class 1 railroad in the west coast(was an automotive technician for GM dealers and a couple indy shops, always wrenched since childhood though) making 90k a year. Such a chill job, so I'm always full of energy. I still work out of my garage fixing all types of cars, trucks and that's all cash🤫 lol. Last year, 2020, I grossed 102k in my garage alone doing side jobs. Needless to say, life is good. My lady is going to school to be a psychologist. I'm 34, she's 33 and we're Latinos(Central American background). There's money out there, you just have to go out and work for it, get yourself a skill. Nothing wrong with college, but choose wisely. I have an AS degree for automotive repair/technology and alternative fuels. Just some insight.
Was it difficult to get into that? I’m a diesel tech as well and I’ve always wanted to work on locomotives or anything big. I live in the Midwest and the wages here are abysmal.
This is a good career move and I am telling my sons to take that route of handyman work. You will always have jobs.
I’m a 15 year old high school kid learning carpentry and I can’t wait to finish school and start working. I love carpentry and I hate school
Just like the man in the video. Did 23 yrs in the medical field and can tell you that YOU are doing the most sensible thing. Worked 16 hrs day and never had a life. Left the office to have the martinis at $18.00 a drink in Beverly Hills (Chaya) and hated the fact that the next day I had to go back to work. Love taking care of people, but hated not having a life. Today I am a bartender, I have plenty of time to surf in the AM and have fun with the Doctors, Lawyers and CPAs at night making crazy money and listening to the same complaints I had as medical person back in the day. Moral of the story, do what makes you happy and CHARGE the white collar dudes what you want if you are the best at what you do. They will appreciate it. BELIEVE me. Go get them Non!!
If you have your own tools try doing small jobs for elderly people in your neighborhood. I am a 66 year old woman and do my own small repair/remodeling of my home because I can't find a handyman that does quality work for what they charge. Or they want full pay and don't finish the job. It will build a client base and word of mouth goes a long way. Hope you become successful.
Nons: Don't hate school; learn all you can. The more math and English you know and use well, the better off you are. I use algebra all the time trying to figure out stuff. I also do math in my head all the time.
The issue I found with other contractors using this method is, you can’t get enough done in a day and the customer cuts your pay at the end of the week. I personally have never tried it, but I know people who have.
i was a mechanic for 17yrs, low ages, disr4epect, no time off, i quit and started doing mobile work. then people asked to their house, before i knew it i was only working on houses. in 13 weeks i made $21500 maybe working 35hours a week including driving.
i went back to mechanics, i run my own business and make a lot less money fixing cars. but i love it.
As a customer, I've gotta' have an idea of how many hours (i.e., cost) the job will take. An answer like, "I won't know until I dig into it" just won't cut it. To me that means the job could cost $500 or it could cost $500,000. An acceptable answer is, probably between 10 and 20 hours unless blah blah blah happens. There has to be something to get me in the ballpark so I know how much to budget.
L A, Exactly. That mentality does not fly. I would never hire a guy not knowing what's going to cost me. I would bypass him in a New Your minute!
As a remodeling contractor I get it . I give ballpark estimates But with line item specifics anything beyond that is a change order, but the only real fair way is T&M
I agree. I'm a remodeling contractor for 33 years. I spend a lot of time doing detailed estimates showing what's included & NOT included. Change orders are common. Never done time & material. Wouldn't work on $20k-$40k bathroom jobs or $30k-$75k kitchen jobs, etc. I work by myself & hire electrician & plumber to do their thing. Frankly, I do make more per hour on smaller 1-2 day jobs, but there's a lot more planning & running around involved to get months of those lined up. I'm thankful to be booked out 4+ months at this point.
My lawn service $125 a hour but that includes debris removal. If I get on a ladder its $200 a hour. My reputation and speed of service is what sells it for me. I probably land about 75% of the jobs. It can be done.Be sure to be confident and stay fast when people try to negotiate. I do not negotiate my lawn prices at all.
Todd Harris I also own a landscape company how many guys is that on a job for $125 an hour?
@@tylerlong281 Myself $125 hour. If I hire help then I try to get $100 hour each for them. I can get it done faster with help but I shouldnt short change myself I believe. I factor in my tools, labor costs, materials and so on but if I'm going to manage these guys I'm going to get paid for it as well but my guys know if they come and work hard I am happy to bonus them all the time. They dont expect a bonus but they can tell when its been a good day and I feel this is a great way to motivate them.
I’ve been in business about 3 years, we work 51 weeks a year mostly 5/6 day weeks. So we have done our far share of projects but in my area which is Coastal North Carolina i have not pressed the prices that high (or didn’t know that’s the going rate for some companies) I run a crew of three guys on my construction crew and I have one guy that maintains about 20 or so homes. The most I’ve been able to get is about $60 an hour on the maintenance. And about 40-50 an hour on the construction projects. (Paver patios stone retaining walls wooden decks irrigation sod and all the other basic services we can offer) But I do price all the construction projects on a bid basis. Some days are better than others of course but there’s also projects where I’ve almost done it for nothing.
I guess my questions for you are what kind of landscaping are you doing and where are you based out of?
Also how do you bid these jobs?
Tyler Long I’m based in Edmond Oklahoma which is probably one of the more well to do areas around okc. I’m really a lawn service but have been asked to do more and more landscaping jobs. Nothing major like mulch and flowers. I have really started pushing my prices higher and higher. I do so much landscape maintenance that my customers refer me out and I get lots of great reviews on Nextdoor. My average lawn is $70 which is a far cry from $35. That $70 yard I can complete solo in 30-40 mins. As I get new customer bids I push the price a little more and at this point I really don’t negotiate anymore. I think I’m really confident in my bids and explain how I get to that price and they usually look like they just learned something and ask me when can I start. I just basically look at the job and just start calculating the hours it’ll take x $125 and I include get material time as well. Even my lawn customers know if I trim bushes I charge my hourly rate. Also to me I would rather have less people working for me so I make more per hour. I had a big crew and I swear at the end of the day I barely made anymore than a small crew but I had to spread my money thinner bc of it.
The white collar world does not all think one way. At my business, a global manufacturer of products used in the skilled trades industry, we look for candidates that can replace us. It is part of our culture to hire people smarter than us, and other companies think the same way.
The best thing about being self-employed in the trades is the option to be able to trade time and money. If you are great at what you do, the amount of work and opportunity to make a ton of money is endless. You can choose to work 100 hours per week and pull down some serious coin in a short time frame if that is your thing. You can also pretty much set your own work hours and schedule. For instance....I am not a morning person. Therefore, I don’t schedule any work before noon. I work 3-4 afternoons per week as a plumber and take Memorial Day to Labor Day off each year to enjoy my hobbies. The lifestyle I choose to live is not for everyone. I live very simply (think minimalism). So as in everything in life, there is a trade off
So incredibly true that you don't need a college degree! Things have changed but most people's thinking has not. I actually had a teacher in high school tell me I would never amount to anything successful when they learned that I was not going to college. I'm not bragging but the irony that I earn 3-4 times a teacher's salary needs to be stated. There are simply less people that want to work hard so they don't get into trades these days.... Basic supply and demand.
I have some close friends that are contractors. They've taught me a lot over the years. They are always busy because they know what they're doing, they show up and do the job right the first time and are honest. Where I lived prior to this house if you were a contractor that answered your phone you were half way to making a living. Most didn't return calls or never followed through on what they said they'd do.
Yo, I just came across your video and I am so glad I did. This is a terrific idea and a high quality video imparting important, relevant information I intend to use so I want to thank you sir!! Please make more similar videos.🤙🏽
Thanks Larry and glad that you are here !
It’s actually the best way to go IF you are trying to be fair to yourself and the customer
Man I like all of your videos. Keep up the good content and informative info.
Live in central Illinois. I know of gentlemen how started doing little things for one guy. Was given keys the gentleman’s house when they went on vacation. He worked at corporate headquarters of an insurance company. Other started asking him to their house. Quite job at insurance company and started his own business.
I previously worked blue collar and it’s vastly overrated. There is not enough money in the world to get me to return to skilled trade jobs. The truth is that they are not anymore necessary than some white collar work. In the end, every individual needs to find what is helpful for them, and I don’t mean having a fat paycheck.
Blue Collar worker here. I have been doing Heavy Commercial & industrial HVAC for the past 20 years. He is right, quality work, it sells & customers notice. That’s what I do. I have customers that will wait for me until I am available or offer to pay overtime. Unfortunately I dont see things getting better as the corporate world is not training the people the way we should be. As the old adage goes it takes money to make money.
Good stuff!!!!! Solid words of wisdom! Thank you very much.
I spent 11 years getting a college degree. Working while going to school part time. I left college and worked in a restaurant and moved to manager. Hated it moved to retail worked up to supervisor. Loved it but my store closed and got caught up in the over qualified area of retail.
Spent a couple of summers cutting grass and shoveling asphalt in Public works. Loved the Jobs hated taking orders from management. (The guys were good people. Just well bosses) went out with my snowblower and did driveways over the winter. I figured I should go into Landscaping myself. As a solo operator I am making money love what I do and still able to use that college education. Although I have to admit I could have done it without that.
Dziękuję, bracie.
Mgtowski proszę bardzo
I’ve been a residential building contractor for years and live off of my wife’s director of nursing job. The years that I make $10,000 are rare but feel like a win. Last year I made $8000 on just over $500,000 in sales. I work around 80 hour weeks and currently am down to one employee. Keep these videos up, because I’m not seeing this kind of thing in South Dakota and can use some pointers. (Or maybe just shut down the business and never touch a hammer again)
You're WAY under pricing.
Listen to many of Stan's videos as well as Keith Kalfas ruclips.net/user/TheEmployeeTrap and Brians lawn mainenance ruclips.net/channel/UC-rcXs51R_ezTebXtx7dAZQ. You should be making a minimum of $75 per hour unless you live in an extremely cheap area.
That's $3,000 per week or $156,000 per year if you work 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year. I think you may need coaching/lessons on pricing/bidding.
Heck, if you gave up construction and did lawn mowing 26 weeks per year having just 5 lawns per day for 25 lawns per week at $35 per lawn you'd make more at $19,500 per year assuming a $5 per yard overhead. 5 lawns at that price would probably take under 3 hours including drive time. So next year you could double the lawns and make double and not have an employee. South Dakota has snow so you could make additional money with snow removal in the winter of $10,000 with 25 driveways at $25 per for 20 storms assuming $5 per driveway overhead. In under 2 years, you could/should be making $50-75,000 profit.
Too many people nowadays discount blue collar jobs. I'm a mechanic I work at a car dealership. last year I made 60k and I work at a leisurely pace. Guys I work with who work faster made 70 to 80k. Working 40-50 hrs per week. The shop I work in is climate controlled and has showers if I get real dirty. It took hard work and a few years before I got to this position but that is the same with any job weather you go to college or not. Alot of people think you go to college and automaticly get a good job and that is just not the case, if you arent willing to work hard and do good work a good job is not going to happen.
Mark From Texas Interesting. I read a lot of bitching on other sites and forums about flat rate. Especially in dealerships. Is your place hourly, flat rate or some combination?
HowtoBasic is my goto when I don't know how to do something. Very informative videos.
Thanks !!
I’m right into the same transition in my life. It’s been 14 months since leaving a desk job. I’m finally turning the corner towards profitability. I still need a little luck for winter income, but if I can break even I think next year will be profitable.
Im a journey electrician 40 yrs. A carpenter just as long, then I started home repair and small remodeling and maintenance. I'm a 58 yo badness woman. I agree with this guy, but I charge more per hour. Hourly vs bid u never get hurt. I charge a iding scale the more hours I work I charge less per hour at 6 hrs which is as much as I do $300 hrs. I rarely work over, sometimes I charge piece, such as ceiling fans are a set price. $75 for a replacement. It takes an hour sometimes more
If I have to run it from scratch or any circuit it's $150 average. I am in the electricial trade 40 years.
I just did an hourly job. The owner just kept adding things. It was local and I charged 62.5 hourly. No matter how long it took.
Plastering, woodwork and portland/Lyme a basement wall that had spaulding.
Had this happen to me as a diesel tech!! Been doing diesel 23 years
I know a guy in my italian hometown who's literally the only able tractor mechanic in the entire region, he gets called from literally everywhere in country where an old tractor is on the edge between capable hands and the scrapyard. As I'm a nurse myself, i know what it feels like to work yourself to the bone for very little in return. I'm interested in every possible handy jobs and love learning new skills but I'm too scared from moving away from a stable income.
I just realized you have a dragonball z poster in the back ground and now i have decided i love this channel being that you're another fellow nerd.
Thanks Stanley For This Information and Great Video 😎🤙
Roughing it with interviews in Hawaii :-) Great video!
I did the same thing and became an electrician
These videos are great mate
Thank you Philip !
been working 80-120 hours per week for 2 years for less than that...very insightful.
Been a General Contractor for 30 years, had 5 men working for me,, but I realized I was just supplying them a job,,I got rid of them all, now I do handyman work because I can do all the trades, I'm happier than ever,,,I work less and make more overall.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing George
Well said and well done !
A nurse practitioner in charge of 80 to 90 people only making 80-90k a year seems absurdly low. You can make that as an np without managing any staff and working m-f at an outpatient clinic.
He was likely doing the work of a couple administrators and possibly a clerk or two.
You can make that as a RN easy. My Wife does and works from home. Heath insurance company.
Especially in Hawaii, that seems like a real low wage for an NP.
I don't know anyone who thinks that white collar is the only way to success. I think that's an old narrative that hasn't applied since the early 80's. I was a contractor in Montana. Built residential homes and apartment buildings with my father and brother. We grew the business to a total of three businesses. We did everything from excavation/dirt work, framing, concrete, finish work, all except for major plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. We also did all the landscaping. Blue collar is great as anyone will tell you.
For me, and maybe because that's all I knew, I wanted to try something different. During those years, I taught myself software engineering. Now I live in the Twin Cities (not far from you Dirt Monkey), and I'm a full time software engineer working for an investment bank, and I make more than I was during my years as a project manager overseeing two crews of 10-12 guys total. I also don't have to worry about the weather, snow, rain, cold, heat, etc. I don't even have to leave my house because my house is my office. Granted, this is not the work life everyone wants but it suits me for now and I have significantly less stress.
Also, your generalization about "the more experience you accumulate, the bigger the threat you become to the people above you" is only partially true, and it applies to blue-collar as much as it does white collar. In fact, I was a PM with a large home-builder in Washington State and learned this first-hand. Now, as a software engineer, the more experience I accumulate = greater pay. I've had zero issues with your so-called "problem" in the white-collar world.
The guy you're interviewing is speaking from anecdotal experience and it simply doesn't translate well when he tries to paint the white-collar world with a big brush the way he does. The same problems that exist in the white-collar world also exist in the blue-collar world. It honestly sounds like he either worked for a bad company or he wasn't very skilled in his job.
If you're the kind of person to make fun of folks who go to college to learn and earn a degree, then it says a lot about your character and personality. Not everyone who goes to college does so with the intent to earn a high wage. I know plenty of folks, both white and blue collar, who went the direction they chose because of their passion, not because of the wage. I attended college for eight years simply because I love to learn. I worked during those years and put myself through school all of those years, in addition to taking out loans. I have no regrets what-so-ever because life is more than just work. Life is about discovery, curiosity, and passion. I was homeschooled my whole life until my college years and that in-itself taught me the value of self-learning, motivation, and humbleness.