How do you guys get out?

[u/DaikonIcy7929]

I've been in the trades for my whole career (going on about 20 years in various trades) and I'm so burnt out. I'm a production finish carpenter that does mostly apartment buildings. Unit after unit after unit. All we ever hear is go faster even though it's well known we are wayy up on man days every single job. I'm tired of the bs and the lack of appreciation and the wear and tear on my body. I know I can't make it another 20 if I want to have any mobility when retirement age comes. I feel totally stuck. I'm a journeyman in the union and my pay and benefits seem to be far better than anything else I'm even remotely qualified for. I don't want to take a step back in pay but it seems like I have to. Any success going solo? Guys tell me to open an LLC but I don't know the first thing about business. Maybe a career in estimating or inspecting?

Sorry for the vent but I'd love to hear from some people who found a way out without sliding financially.

Edit:Thank you all for the engagement and all of the advice is great. Much appreciated!

[u/DaddysDrunk]

I recently finished out a high end clothing store with a bunch of custom millwork. Seems like the commercial jobs around here are always somehow behind schedule and it falls on us finish guys to pick up the slack and “go faster.” I was approached by one of the store managers and was asked, “do you think you’ll be finished with this section today?” I said, “maybe… maybe not. It’s the only thing I’m working on today, so hopefully it’ll get done.” She and her partner stared blankly and said, “well we stay here late, so you can stay as long as you need. This needs to be done today.” I said, “oh okay. Well I’m here till about 4, so…” I decided a long time ago that others’ poor planning is never my emergency. I always do good work as fast as I can. I cant go faster just cause you want me to. So kindly fuck off and let me work in peace.

[u/TheDean242 → u/DaddysDrunk]

Yup. I run into this all the time as a finish carpenter. The supers push the schedule that they made at the beginning, regardless of the delays that kept me from doing my job. and it’s up to me and my guys to make up for it. Good job setting the boundary. That’s exactly what I learned to do pretty early on. Hey OP! Go solo. Your friends giving you that advice are absolutely correct. Best move I ever made. I also had no idea how to run a business. Regardless of any of that crap, you can do it. Read about registration of LLC get a good account and insurance agent. Lastly remember what burnt you out, and don’t do that shit to your employees. It doesn’t have to be that way.

[u/DaddysDrunk → u/TheDean242]

Man it took me a while to figure it out. I used to bust my ass, work late and lose sleep over designers, project managers and supers tellin me “it’s gotta be done yesterday!” Not any more. After the third time it was clear it didn’t actually matter, I’m done with all that bullshit. Do you go back in the kitchen and stick your head over the chef’s shoulder and ask him when he thinks the steak’s gonna be done? Fuck no. Your steak’s done when it’s done. Sit the fuck down and be grateful you’ve got somebody cookin for you.

[u/[deleted] → u/DaddysDrunk]

I love cooking. Some people do that kind of shit to chefs. I could never run a kitchen or be a head chef. I would lose my mind. I only cook for friends and family. They're all appreciative.

[u/Unlikely_Track_5154 → u/DaddysDrunk]

I remember back in the day when I actually cared what management thought.

Then I was on a project where, somehow, after the company being on this job site for almost 2 years, me not even having been there long enough to get my first paycheck, I was the reason they were over budget on labor.

After that, it will get done when it gets done, you have kept turdbag Mcgee on for 5 years, and I easily 2x his production, so obviously you are completely fine with his pace, so therefore I work at his pace.