If you’re thinking about becoming a framing carpenter and freelancing as such, there are some things you need to think about first. While having a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home are great perks of freelancing as a carpenter, it also comes with its fair share of downsides.
When it comes to your career, you often have to sacrifice one thing for another. And when you’re a carpenter, that means making some tough decisions about how to proceed with your chosen profession.
You need to be aware of these potential pitfalls so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is worth it for you personally. If so, read on and we will help you decide if it is worth it!
So you want to be a carpenter and have decided that freelancing is the way to go. After all, why work for someone else when you can have your own business and set your own hours? You can work as a carpenter on your own, right? Well, yes and no.
Whether you establish yourself as an independent contractor or get hired by contracting companies, working as a framing carpenter freelancer has its pros and cons. Both will be discussed in this article.
Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide whether this career path is worth pursuing. Let’s take a look at what it means to be a framing carpenter if you’re thinking of freelancing as one:
What Is Freelancing?
Freelancing is basically a way of working independently, often as a contractor rather than an employee. The rise of the “gig economy” has made freelancing more accessible, as well as more common. Whether you’re a carpenter or a designer, you can find work as a contractor, often by marketing yourself online.
The advantages of this kind of work are that you have a lot of flexibility in terms of setting your hours and finding work. You do not have a set schedule, as you are self-employed. The disadvantage is that you do not get benefits or have any kind of long-term financial security.
Pros of Freelancing as a Framing Carpenter
The advantages of becoming a freelance framing carpenter are many. When you are self-employed, you can choose when you work and how much you work. This gives you a lot of control over your schedule and workload, which can be great when you have a family. You can work from home, which saves you on gas, parking, and childcare costs, as well as wear and tear on your vehicle.
You can also build your reputation as a go-to carpenter for the job site by responding quickly to new jobs. You can also network with other framing carpenters, so that you are aware of new framing jobs in your area, as well as other carpenters to refer work to.
Cons of Freelancing as a Framing Carpenter
The cons of freelance framing carpentry can be both financial and emotional. You do not have a consistent source of income, which can be stressful when you have bills to pay. Because you have to find work on your own, you can’t rely on a regular paycheck. You also have to pay self-employment taxes, which can be a big expense.
You are also responsible for the maintenance on your tools, which can get expensive. Freelancers also do not have employer-provided health insurance, so you have to purchase your own. This can be very expensive and may require you to work more hours to make up the difference.
Is It Worth It?
Now that we’ve gone through the pros and cons of freelancing as a framing carpenter, let’s take a look at the decision to become a framing carpenter and freelancing as such. Framing carpenters build the structure of a building, from the ground up.
There is a lot of variability in their work, as each project is different, and many framing carpenters work on a cyclical schedule as construction moves from one building to the next. This is one of the reasons why it is a great profession for those who are self-employed or want to become so.
Framing carpenters can do work for clients and contractors, as well as building materials stores. To become a framing carpenter, you need to have the right training and certifications. You also need to have the right tools to do the job, which can cost around $5,000. Before you sign on to become a framing carpenter and freelancing as such, decide if it is worth it for you.
How to Make it Worth It for You Personally
If you’ve read the pros and cons of freelancing as a framing carpenter, you know that there are some challenges to overcome. To decide if it is worth it for you personally, think about what is important to you, both short- and long-term. Having more control over your schedule is great, but if you are constantly stressed out about money, it might not be worth it.
Similarly, being able to work from home is a great benefit, but if you are not careful, you can fall behind on your work, which can lead to poor quality work. Another thing to consider is that you are responsible for marketing yourself, so you need to be good at promoting yourself and your work. If you can handle the challenges and have what it takes to be successful, freelancing as a framing carpenter can be a great option for you.
