It’s definitely hard on the body but the key is to learn when you are young and put that together with some business knowledge. My friend hurt his back recently and has admitted he’s slowing down on doing the labor himself after I’ve been teasing him for years on being the stinkiest millionaire I know. The problem is the work he’s doing requires such a high level of expertise that one mistake will cost a fortune.

He’s at the point where’s he’s buying businesses and hiring managers while he collects a check. He purchases the buildings and the businesses pay the rent. Once the buildings are paid he’ll collect the rent to pay for his TBM and fund his retirement. His 18 year son just spent the summer here from Germany learning the trade. It takes 8 years to become a master plumber there. He’s being primed to take over.

[MENTION=13871]RickA[/MENTION]ir

Totally agree. I asked my friend one day if he hires apprentices and he said yes but he cannot find people. It takes a brain to do the job and he cannot attract talent. He hires them on at minimum wage. If they stick around for 6 months (show up for work, not drunk or high) they get a raise. After 3 years they become a journeyman. $100K+ (in LA/SF) for guys who do basic work, unclogging drains kind of stuff. If they take it serious and get a few guys under them (rinse/repeat) and the sky is the limit.

6 figure job, paid on-the-job training, guaranteed work and no takers.
Plumbing is a “crappy job” but as my friend always reminds me “no one ever wants to call a plumber”. It’s never going out of style.