Advice Needed: Considering An Electrician Apprenticeship to Help/Grow Family Rental Business

[xoxodede]

My parents have owned rentals/real estate all my life. It's our family business.

My father was a master electrician for GM for almost 30 years - while at the same time owning his own contracting/electrician business.

He would buy homes and instead of fixing them up to flip - they became rental homes.

My father passed awhile ago -- leaving my mother and my siblings to take over.

The issue is he used to do everything in terms of repairs, install, fixing - all of that. He was an all-in-one. On top of that, my brother has a career -- and I have my own business - and live out of state.

I personally want to start buying some land plots or homes on the streets we currently own rental homes on. I want to build and rehab to either sell or rent.

The city is going through a small gentrification -- and it upset me to find out this white man has bought up 6 plots on the street which is an historically Black neighborhood.

I also want to help my mom more with the rentals-- and not hire a property manager -- and someone for installs/repairs I know how to do.

And since I work online - I can move home for a while to do so.

Basically, I want to do everything my father did.

I already know how to install/wire the basics - like lighting/vanities/ceiling fans, electrical sockets, circuit breaker, etc - due to my father teaching me when I was younger. But, of course - I'm not licensed - and have alot more to learn.

I am really considering entering into a UAW Electrician Apprenticeship.

I have talked the main guy in the chapter back home who was a work friend of my dad. He told me he would take care of me - and log hours for the work I did under my dad's business when I was in H.S. and home for college breaks.

My question is: I see the benefits of becoming an Electrician -- but would an electrician apprenticeship prepare me for what I want to do in terms of real estate and contracting? I know I would be the only woman too - which would be weird.

 

[Ghostface Trillah]

You need an education on general contracting if you want to renovate homes and repair them. Becoming an electrician apprentice isn't going to help you with a plumbing problem or drywall issue,etc. You need to learn at least the basics in a majority of the things that go into creating or fixing a house.

 

[YamakaSmacker]

You'll need to network on jobsites unless you want to spend years rehabbing one home by yourself

 

[Amerikan Melanin]

What area are you in? The apprenticeship takes a lot of time but you will be paid along the way. And get a pension.

In personally would go on a site like Biggerpockets and network to find a reliable contractor and property mgmt.

 

[Rawtid]

I think you'd be better off partnering with someone that has that knowledge already and contracting work out to them. It doesn't seem like the best investment of your time right now.

 

[xoxodede]

What area are you in? The apprenticeship takes a lot of time but you will be paid along the way. And get a pension.

In personally would go on a site like Biggerpockets and network to find a reliable contractor and property mgmt.

The homes would be in Michigan. But, I plan on expanding to Atlanta and Alabama in the future. I don't want to do property management at this time -- cause I have been pretty much over that for a while -- and so far -- so good. Even being out of state -- I have it set up where they call our information/tenant line - and I schedule repairs, deal with payments, etc.

I am a long-time member of Biggerpockets -- and I personally know a few contractors in my hometown that we have been working with since my father passed.

BUT, they are either unreliable -- or take their time -- or they know my Daddy and I'm a woman -- and try to tell me about changes or projects I want to do - more so against it. I want to update the look -- and make them attractive -- that people want to rent out. But, they are old school -- and don't see the benefit.

Or they say OK -- then try to overcharge .... well they try - until I let them know - a lot of stuff I can do myself. Though I am not licensed.

 

[xoxodede]

You'll need to network on jobsites unless you want to spend years rehabbing one home by yourself

How would I do that? The homes are in are in a small town -- and I don't ever see any worksites.

 

[YamakaSmacker]

How would I do that? The homes are in are in a small town -- and I don't ever see any worksites.

Assuming you get into an apprenticeship you’ll be on job sites with many trades... trades with men who do side jobs or own side companies. For demo work you can get some migos from Home Depot but them fools charge like 20+/hr now

 

[xoxodede]

Assuming you get into an apprenticeship you’ll be on job sites with many trades... trades with men who do side jobs or own side companies. For demo work you can get some migos from Home Depot but them fools charge like 20+/hr now

Got it.

I got in -- I just haven't started yet -- I am trying to figure out - if it's what I should do.

See I want to work with Black contractors and workers -- and honestly -- in Michigan -- it's not that many Hispanics like that. Our hispanics are White -- see themselves as White -- and act White.

I want to do this. Complete rehabs.

I think I am just going to go the investment route. That way I can just oversee the projects-- and not have to deal with everything else.

 

[YamakaSmacker]

Got it.

I got in -- I just haven't started yet -- I am trying to figure out - if it's what I should do.

See I want to work with Black contractors and workers -- and honestly -- in Michigan -- it's not that many Hispanics like that. Our hispanics are White -- see themselves as White -- and act White.

I want to do this. Complete rehabs.

I think I am just going to go the investment route. That way I can just oversee the projects-- and not have to deal with everything else.

Yea you could just go hard money lender if your paper isn’t right. Interest will be a bytch unless they want points on your profit.

 

[T'krm]

Endeavoring in a field not many women are in. Why the choice? Is this related to any of your other career paths?

 

[xoxodede]

Endeavoring in a field not many women are in. Why the choice? Is this related to any of your other career paths?

I have been self-employed --- online media - as well as digital media consultant for brands/corporations who want to target Black women -- for over 10 years. I'm tired of it. It's my bread and butter - but I really enjoy working on homes. It's less drama.

Online is about traffic - and it's draining -- and can be destructive to Black people in general. Since we are drawn to drama, gossip and negative content.

I have to admit it's also cause I want to expand my fathers business/legacy he left -- as I wouldn't have what I have -- or know what I know -- if it's wasn't for him.

 

[T'krm]

I have been self-employed --- online media - as well as digital media consultant for brands/corporations who want to target Black women -- for over 10 years. I'm tired of it. It's my bread and butter - but I really enjoy working on homes. It's less drama.

Online is about traffic - and it's draining -- and can be destructive to Black people in general. Since we are drawn to drama, gossip and negative content.

I have to admit it's also cause I want to expand my fathers business/legacy he left -- as I wouldn't have what I have -- or know what I know -- if it's wasn't for him.

Huge jump from media marketing, and sm influencing. Crazy bc usually it's the sons that pick up the family business, especially when they're manually based. Times are different, I guess..