tradesmans rates in the states?
Discussion
You would find the cost of living in San Francisco way higher than Wales where your profile says you are located. San Fran is one of the most affluent and hence expensive cities in the whole of the US. Petrol is cheaper than UK but housing costs, taxes, healthcare, food are way more. A fantastic lifestyle if you earn $150k plus but you may feel on the sidelines on less.
The way it works in my State.
Only the owner of a business need have a licence, assuming it is a licenced occupation.
The employees will work on his licence. That does not mean that none of the employees have there own licencies, but from what I understand they will still work off the owners lic as it is under his liability insurance and Workers comp. (and the worktrucks will display his lic #.)
$27 is about right, possibly a little lower in some States. Which would indicate gross billing in the $80 - 100 range.
In some Cities Union membership may be a hurdle.
PS Plumbers are licenced to work on Gas appliances.
Try Commercial Air Conditioning as a better route to wealth.
Only the owner of a business need have a licence, assuming it is a licenced occupation.
The employees will work on his licence. That does not mean that none of the employees have there own licencies, but from what I understand they will still work off the owners lic as it is under his liability insurance and Workers comp. (and the worktrucks will display his lic #.)
$27 is about right, possibly a little lower in some States. Which would indicate gross billing in the $80 - 100 range.
In some Cities Union membership may be a hurdle.
PS Plumbers are licenced to work on Gas appliances.
Try Commercial Air Conditioning as a better route to wealth.
Thankyou4calling said:
You would find the cost of living in San Francisco way higher than Wales where your profile says you are located. San Fran is one of the most affluent and hence expensive cities in the whole of the US. Petrol is cheaper than UK but housing costs, taxes, healthcare, food are way more. A fantastic lifestyle if you earn $150k plus but you may feel on the sidelines on less.
I thought everybody from San Francisco lives in Oakland?rufusgti said:
$27 per hour?
That would probably work out the same as here then. I think rents and tax's are higher in San Fran, but not that sure. People were complaining about taxes, but then people were comlaining about fuel prices which were soooo cheap.
It is all down to where you live. The costs of living vary extremely around the country.That would probably work out the same as here then. I think rents and tax's are higher in San Fran, but not that sure. People were complaining about taxes, but then people were comlaining about fuel prices which were soooo cheap.
paddyhasneeds said:
I once stayed with some people in Menlo Park in a pretty ordinary bungalow in a pretty ordinary street. I was shocked when I found out they go for about half a million quid and that was 10 years ago.
Menlo Park? Home of the light bulb, etc.? That may have something to do with it.rufusgti said:
Anyone have any idea how well tradesman get payed in the states?
Just been over in San Francisco and its a bit depressing coming back. I do ok here but the cost of living is rocketing.
Anyone with any experience. I'm a carpenter. But looking to train in gasfitting.
Cost of housing in the area is astronomical if you are looking to buy in a nice location, or if you want to rent a nice apt in a nice building with a view, doorman, etc. But there are plenty of affordable housing options if you don't have your head in the clouds. You can buy a reasonable 2 bedroom apt. for $300,000 these days, 20-25 minutes outside San Francisco. And if you are a tradesman and have a work truck, as most do, along with a regular car, you want to live outside the city just so you can afford to park your vehicles. Across the bay, in what is known as East Bay, there is plenty of cheaper housing, especially outside city centres. And there is plenty of work there as well.Just been over in San Francisco and its a bit depressing coming back. I do ok here but the cost of living is rocketing.
Anyone with any experience. I'm a carpenter. But looking to train in gasfitting.
Hard part is the work permit. Shortcut is to find a girl willing to marry you. Or, go over on tourist visa, work under the table, and don't get caught. The penalties are extreme, though, if you do get caught. I think you are often barred from entering the US for life, or for 20 years. So be very, very careful, and get a really, really good lawyer if there is even a hint of trouble.
Along with housing, which any resourceful person can manage to get, you should be able to earn plenty if you work hard. You could even get rich if you get your own crew together, and have good customer service and sales skills. And your money does go a lot further in the US...white goods are half as expensive, VAT is half that of the UK, and in general the US has stuff far cheaper than rip-off Britain. People love to give away fridges etc., in perfect working order when they upgrade. If you move into the Bay Area, you will be amazed at how quickly you can set up shop and house.
I live in the San Francisco area, in case you can't tell. :-)
I agree with the recommendation for commercial HVAC qualifications. Plumbers and electricians also do well. But carpenters also do very well--you won't go wrong with that. $27 an hour might be standard rates but you can do turnkey projects to finish off kitchens, etc., and make much, much more than $27 an hour. Standard kitchen cabinetry is $7-14k, takes less than a week to put in, and your material costs can be as low as $5k. Nice floors are several thousand dollars and you can put those in a 1,200 sq. foot apt. in a day or two. And $27 per hour by itself will certainly pay your bills if you live modestly.
Ozzie Osmond said:
rufusgti said:
I'm a carpenter. But looking to train in gasfitting.
How you going to get the essential "work permit" in the land of the free and the home of the brave? They'll only let you work there if you have some special skill they're lacking.If the business fails, you will be on the next plane back.
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