From DIY to Skilled Pro: Turning Home Improvement Hobbies Into a Career

In this day and age, everyone is “doing it themselves.” It’s understandable why so many people have gotten caught up in this craze… Everything from YouTube videos and online tutorials to guidebooks and e-courses, there are tons of resources around us to turn any home improvement hobbies into full-blown skilled professions.

Maybe it all started with a clogged toilet… Drano didn’t work, nor did a snake work to unclog your plumbing… And calling a plumber just wasn’t in your budget. So what do you do? You revert to your handy-dandy online tools and resources to find possible solutions to your plumbing problem.

In doing that, you discover that you actually enjoy learning about the plumbing issues you’re having. And the thing about this scenario is that a lot of times, it’s the very passion that fuels people to dig deeper into pursuing a career in what they once viewed as a hobby. And this is actually how lots of skilled professionals became the skilled professionals they are today… all from pursuing their passion on a much deeper level, and you too can do the same.

If you find yourself in a position where your passion for home improvement is starting to make you consider a career as a skilled worker, here are some of the most lucrative positions that residential and commercial markets will always need.

• Plumber

Plumbers are one of the most in-demand skilled workers in the world. Why? Well, every homeowner needs a plumber at some point in their lives! Water is an essential resource for mankind so water troubles are definitely a priority! Skilled plumbers can fix something as easy as a leaky faucet to unclogging pipes.

Speaking of pipes, plumbers not only have to deal with water piping repair but also gas lines, too.

• Gas Fitter

For specific gas fitting needs, you must become a different kind of tradesman or a gas fitter. Gas fitters are the ones who deal with installing cooktops, ovens, and gas barbecue ranges. Moreover, gas fitters also vary between their specialization in terms of what kind of gas they handle. There are specific gas fitters for every type of gas used inside a home. There are those who can only install natural gas, for liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, while others can fix steam gas lines.

Gas fitting mechanics also deal with appliance repair, safety checks, and maintenance work on a residential or commercial property.

• HVAC Technician

If gas fitters maintain gas lines and other related appliances, HVAC technicians basically deal with any device that regulates a room or an entire building’s temperature. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. So in other words, you’ve got to be the one to fix those items. You’re called upon whenever the heater’s broken or when the AC needs fixing. In some cases, these guys also deal with maintaining and troubleshooting refrigerators, too.

But if you feel overwhelmed about all the things HVAC technicians are skilled at, don’t worry. You can actually choose a specialization among all the types of heating and cooling systems out there. Just be sure to have a general knowledge about the rest of the machines.

• Electrician

Lastly, as a skilled laborer, you can also be an electrician. And no, you don’t need a college degree in engineering to be an electrician. You just need to undergo training and get a few years’ worth of experience to become one. Basically, electricians deal with any appliance and wiring connections at home or in any other establishment. They don’t just fix broken lights but also install new systems like solar technology or even smart home technology.

What you Need to Know

If you’re interested in turning a home improvement hobby in any of the above listed areas, you will first need to obtain your license as a tradesman, especially if you plan to work in the state of Virginia. In fact, most states have their own requirements for being a tradesman of any field, so be sure to check that out in case you’re planning to move out of Virginia in the future.

The Best Part

One more thing. The best part about being a skilled laborer is that you will never run out of opportunities to improve and learn more! These licenses are not exclusive, either, which means you can basically train to be any kind of tradesman and increase your chances to earn more money. Just think about how home buyers need home inspections… With your talent and skills, you could be the go-to skilled contractor that home inspectors recommend in your area!

So if you’re already a plumber, you may decide to expand your expertise to fit in gas fitting, so you can widen your reach. Ultimately, Virginia allows you to learn every skill in the above in order for you to be a master tradesman, which is ideal if you want to start your own tradesman business someday.

Skilled labor is one of the most honorable jobs out there. You earn a pretty penny while at the same time actually servicing other people and going home every day with the thought that you’ve helped improve someone else’s life. Admittedly, it’s not always easy, but it certainly is worthwhile.