Gone are the days when people were confined to working a 9-5 as their only option. Remote work has never been more possible or available, and people are getting creative with the jobs they choose to take on the road with them. Blogging, virtual teaching, and customer service jobs are among the most popular, but is there potential to work an in-person trade job as a nomad, too?
If you’re a handyman or contractor and have been thinking about taking your skills on the road, there are a few major considerations to consider that may help you make the right decision. Below, we’re outlining the top five concerns that impact being a traveling contractor, so you can think ahead and pursue this passion if you choose.
Considerations as a Traveling Contractor
1. Different Certifications from State to State
Each state typically has its own requirements and certifications to become a contractor, so there’s a good chance you’ll have to take exams, show proof of experience, and pay a fee to reinstate your certification in every state you want to work.
While every state has a unique system for certifying contractors, you can find helpful resources from Contractor Training Center to ensure you pass each exam the first time.
2. Traveling with Tools
Traveling with tools won’t be difficult if you plan to drive from place to place, but traveling via air with the kinds of tools you’ll need to work on contracting jobs may prove to be rather difficult.
TSA has tons of restrictions on the kinds of tools you can bring in luggage, and most of the time, anything that is sharp or could be construed as a weapon won’t be allowed.
3. Finding Local Help
While some contractors prefer to work alone, many projects would benefit from a few extra hands to help out. While working from one place allows you to develop a network of helpers that you can count on, traveling makes it harder to find good, local help that will be available when you need it.
If you’re traveling with a partner in the same line of work, that might make things easier.
4. Mobile Marketing
Marketing for your business will be challenging on the road, but not impossible.
Using social media can be a great way to develop a following geographically so that you can share your skilled work with your followers and fieldwork offers no matter where you are.
5. Unplanned Project Extensions
Contractor work is known for taking longer than expected at times. While this usually is no issue, your customers may have problems with this if you’re planning to take off to your next location on a certain date.
If you can add some flexibility to your traveling schedule, they’d likely greatly appreciate it.
A Career to Consider
A traveling contractor isn’t the most common job for a nomad, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done!
However, with the challenges presented by things like differing state certification requirements and finding local help, it’s worth taking some extra thought before you set out on this new career path.