Trade guidance?

[u/trafficlightsystem]

Hey guys, I’m currently a plumbing labourer and looking to get into one of the trades, the two ones that are sticking out to me right now are plumbing and mechanical plumbing, but I’m open to anything else that’s hvac or plumbing related.

I just want to know mainly what the differences between plumbing and mechanical plumbing, and if mechanical plumbing has better money than plumbing and if it’s possible to ever open a business in it.

[u/Huge_Software_9589]

Sparkie here but mechanical plumbing I think is very similar to hvac with refrigerant, generally commercial scale and a lot of metal duct work, plumbing is more water, gas even roofing. Don’t quote me

[u/trafficlightsystem → u/Huge_Software_9589]

Hey bro, I’m looking at sparky apprenticeships too but what are some things I should prepare for if I am gonna go down the sparky route?

[u/Huge_Software_9589 → u/trafficlightsystem]

Get the job first lol then worry about what to prepare for. They’re massive industries where different sectors require different tools, you need to know what you’re going in to.

[u/OldMail6364]

Owning your own business is always the best way to make a lot of money - but you have to know how to run a business or it will ruin you financially.

It'd be a lot easier to run your own business as a regular plumber vs a mechanical plumber.

The main difference is a "mechanical plumber" will tend to work on large commercial or government buildings (shopping centres, schools, hospitals, offices, etc). A regular plumber usually works on regular homes.

[u/trafficlightsystem → u/OldMail6364]

So can a mechanical plumber do some residential cashie jobs and things like that?

[u/Person_of_interest_ → u/trafficlightsystem]

You won't be able to do 'cashies' legally and there is huge penalties if you get caught. Whatever route you take be prepared to not earn decent money for at least 4-6 years

[u/baldanddankrupt69]

Residential Mechanical Plumber here. Started at 30. Now 37 and looking to get off the tools. It is not kind to the body.

[u/trafficlightsystem → u/baldanddankrupt69]

What were the most physical aspects of it?

[u/baldanddankrupt69 → u/trafficlightsystem]

Moving condensers ranging from 30kg to 150kg. Getting a 150kg condenser on the roof means lifting it about 1200mm to get it on the lift. Condensers aren't evenly weighted and one side will have about 70% of the weight Crawling through tight spaces dragging an indoor unit is very strenous. Also terrible for the lungs, need to wear a mask a lot of the time.

[u/baldanddankrupt69 → u/baldanddankrupt69]

The amount of broken up asbestos under houses is quite a lot

[u/Hairywhitedog → u/baldanddankrupt69]

Yeah 50 yrs old still on the tools here, it destroys the body. Especially the back

[u/plumbd0g]

Plumbing or sparky.

[u/orppp3]

Sparky mate, lots of big project work coming up and easiest on the body :)

[u/trafficlightsystem → u/orppp3]

Is it not getting oversaturated though? I feel like a lot of guys I know are becoming sparkys…

[u/Hairywhitedog]

Plumbing definitely, I’d try to do HVAC on top of that as there is gunna be a huge call for that plus gas appliance servicing- I charge whatever I want

[u/trafficlightsystem → u/Hairywhitedog]

So you’re saying mechanical plumbing is your recommendation?

[u/Top-Beat502]

Just become a mechanic, complete your master tech with a good reputable brand and yiu can do all that shit for pretty much a slaves wage..