https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:45:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyones-spouse-a-handyman-or-other-tradesman-working-for-himself#post-2657023 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:18:50 +0000 MsMini 2657023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not my husband, but my Dad is a trades person with multiple tickets (plumbing, gas fitting, steam fitting, and refrigeration mechanic). He has had his own business for 30 years. It has had anywhere from just him to now about 10 employees. He much prefers running his business to working for someone else. It is definitely not without its stressors. He runs his business as a union shop so he and his employees have union benefits and pension. Running a trades business becomes like a 24/7 job, so you have to really love what you are doing. If you want to keep clients happy you need to be available at the drop of a hat, especially with his trades. Now he has employees to share on call weekends and holidays with but for many years he had to be available all the time. I think it depends on the kind of person you are. He thrives on it, but between bidding jobs, the actual work and billing I feel like he worked 18 hours a day 7 days a week for a lot of the years I was growing up. I think in the trades that's really how you build a long standing, reputable business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyones-spouse-a-handyman-or-other-tradesman-working-for-himself#post-2656972 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 09:35:17 +0000 gilmoregirl 2656972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not my spouse, but my dad. He worked in construction (in the field, then project management) for about 25 years before going out on his own as a carpenter/handyman. He does not have any employees, so he generally does smaller, one-person jobs, but will occasionally subcontract some work. My mom is a public school teacher, so my parents are able to get good benefits through her job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyones-spouse-a-handyman-or-other-tradesman-working-for-himself#post-2656971 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 09:21:30 +0000 travelingnanny 2656971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No but my dad is a plumber owns his own company. A family member owned a company, my dad worked for him and bought it later on.My dad does like plumbing but he has to work constantly to survive. I feel awful that he is never home. I wish he worked for someone else so that he could get health insurance, retirement, and other benefits. I would not recommend it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyones-spouse-a-handyman-or-other-tradesman-working-for-himself#post-2656875 Wed, 23 Nov 2016 21:13:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2656875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He used to do Masonry customizing in concrete foundation Slabs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-anyones-spouse-a-handyman-or-other-tradesman-working-for-himself#post-2656870 Wed, 23 Nov 2016 21:08:24 +0000 mediagirl 2656870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do they do/specialize in? How did they start doing that and are they happy? </p>