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A carpenter is a tradesman usually working in the construction industry. There are several pros and cons associated with this career. Knowing what these pros and cons are, can better enable you to decide whether a career as a carpenter is right for you. Let’s get the cons out of the way first.
What Are The Cons Of Being A Carpenter?
These are the cons of being a carpenter that you should know about:
1. The Risk Of Accidental Injuries
There are a few hazards associated with this career path. You’ll need to work with hand tools that are sharp, heavy equipment, drills, saws, hand chisels, and other tools that could injure you if you aren’t careful. Before you start working as a journeyman carpenter, you’ll need to learn important safety tips to keep yourself and the people around you safe.
You’ll also need to be aware of the safety regulations at the job site you’re working on. This especially applies to jobs at construction sites. Usually, a construction business will ask you to finish training modules in safety. You’ll also have to work under a carpenter who has more experience.
2. You’ll Need To Train For Three To Five Years
You’ll need to complete an apprenticeship before you can start working as a carpenter. This can take between three to five years to complete. During the first years of your career, you’ll be working under a certified carpenter to gain more experience. For some people, three to five years can be a big commitment on their time.
3. Inconsistent Work Opportunities
At some point in your career, you could face inconsistency regarding finding work. There needs to be a demand for professional carpenters, in order for you to find various job opportunities. Should the housing market not be performing well, then there will be less housing being constructed. This can in turn reduce demand for carpenters specializing in residential carpentry.
What Are The Pros Of Being A Carpenter?
There are many benefits associated with being a carpenter. These include:
1. Building Repair Skills
As a carpenter, you’ll be able to learn how you can repair nearly any kind of damage, on wooden objects, structures, or pieces of furniture. You could also develop advanced carpentry skills, which can help you offer more services to clients. You’ll also be able to use the skills you learn on the job, in your personal life. Say you have a wooden shed in your backyard that needs repairing. You’ll know exactly what to do to repair it.
2. Enjoy Physical Activity
Usually, working as a carpenter is pretty physically demanding. This is especially true if you work in construction sites. You’ll also need to spend a lot of your time standing, bending, walking, hammering, crouching, and more. These physical activities can actually help you to be more healthy. While you’re working, you’ll be able to improve your fitness level as well. This makes a career in carpentry especially appealing to people who enjoy staying fit.
3. Earning Higher Wages
Carpenters earn well enough to lead decent lives, many going on to start their own carpentry businesses. There are carpenters who can earn more by learning special skills or building their talent in special niches. You could, for example, choose to specialize in wooden furniture or cabinets.
As you gain more experience in your career, you’ll also be able to charge higher prices. How much you earn will also be dependent on where you live, since some states pay carpenters more than others.
You should also consider investing in trade insurance. This is because working as a carpenter exposes you to certain career risks, such as being sued by unhappy clients. When you have trader insurance, you can better protect your career as well as your finances. If you would like to learn more about trader insurance, then click here.
4. Working Normal Hours
Carpenters can choose how long they want to work per day. Some carpenters choose to work normal hours, and this applies to most carpenters in the construction industry. However, there are also carpenters that choose how and when they want to work.
It’s normal for a carpenter to work eight hours a day, five days a week. As a contractor, you’re more likely to work forty hour weeks.
Conclusion
There are generally more pros to working as a carpenter, than there are cons. Some of the cons include the risk of getting hurt, the training period, as well as inconsistency with finding work. The pros, on the other hand, include earning higher salaries, enjoying normal work weeks, and building your fitness level, as well as your repair skills. This guide helps you learn the pros and cons of working as a carpenter.
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