Career in Home and Building Maintenance

Typical Job
Handyman/woman, Carpenter, Electrician, Locksmith, Plumber, Blind Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, Chimney Cleaner, Painter, Interior Designer, Building/Home Inspection Service, Pest Exterminator, Construction Worker, Landscaping Service, Remodeling Contractor

Typical Work
One of the basic needs of all humans is shelter from the elements. Homes are built daily in places all over the world and there is a great demand for skilled individuals to work in this field. The work typically involves constructing or repairing a home or building. The work can be in a variety of fields as many different individuals have different talents that are related to repairing a home. The different professions all have different skill sets and different styles of work, but the common thread is determining a problem and then going about repairing it using your tools and knowledge.

Education and training needed
Most professionals in this field have a certificate or diploma from a career or trade school in their field. To become a certified trades person usually requires completing a training program in the field followed by an apprenticeship with a certified tradesperson. Following what is usually a 6-week to 12-week apprenticeship the individual will be certified as a tradesperson. Some individuals do not obtain training because they have learned the field from a family member or through work experience.

Skills and Interests
You will need skills in your field whether it is plumbing, woodworking, or upholstery and you will need an interest in hands on physical work. The work of a home and building maintenance professional is usually done alone or with a small team, there is not a great deal of supervision so you need to be able to work constructively on your own. Many of the professions in this field require some creativity and originality to make a home or building unique.

Salary Range
The range for careers in this field is quite large. Many of the trades' people are commanding large salaries now by owning their own business and because demand is outweighing supply for these careers. Interior Designers can charge high fees for their services. The salary range given below gives a range from entry-level salary to some of the highest salaries in the industry.

$25,000 - $ 110,000

Associations and Organizations
National Association of Home Builders http://www.nahb.org/

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