How to become a contractor?

[Tony Anthony]

Is it possible for someone to become a contractor with out any degrees?

[Michael Hayworth]

You don't need a degree.

You do need good, broad knowledge of the trades. 

If you're in a state that licenses GCs, you also need good study skills and test-taking ability. (Although I have no idea what y'all test 'em on up there. I get licensed GCs coming down from NY & NJ looking for work who show me a license and tell me how hard it is to get, but some of them couldn't find their *** with both hands.)

You need the ability to estimate and price a job accurately.

You need the ability to hire good employees, find good subcontractors and maintain those relationships.

You need the ability to negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers effectively - makes a big different with thin margins.

You need the ability to work with clients and create win-win scenarios. 

You need the ability to keep your head and find good solutions when everything goes to ****, because that's going to happen eventually. (If it happens daily, though, the problem is you.)

And very importantly, you need to know how to run a business - a real business - profitably or you're basically taking on a ton of extra responsibility and still really just working for wages.

Other than that, it's a piece of cake.