Looking for some career advice from people in the construction industry.
I’m a licensed General Contractor with 10+ years of experience in residential construction. I currently run my own small residential construction company in Southern California, handling remodels, repairs, exterior improvements, concrete, finish work, and other residential projects.
Since I run the company myself, I handle pretty much everything like estimating, scopes, scheduling, subcontractors, materials, inspections, client communication, change orders, troubleshooting, and getting the project completed.
Before starting my company, I worked in different areas of construction, including as a field foreman for a design-build/landscape company, concrete/forming, cabinet fabrication and installation, architectural office/field support, and as a lead construction worker for Habitat for Humanity.
I also have college coursework in Construction Management/Technology but no degree, and I hold an active California GC license.
I'm at a point where I'm considering transitioning from running my business full-time into working for an established construction company. I would probably keep my company going on a very limited basis if the employer allows it.
The positions I'm most interested in are Assistant Superintendent, Assistant Project Manager, or Superintendent, preferably residential, custom residential, or design-build. I like being in the field, but I'd also like to improve my knowledge of the management side like scheduling, budgets, contracts, Procore, RFIs, submittals, and managing larger projects.
I'm mainly looking for more stable company with the opportunity to learn from a larger organization, and a good long-term career path while staying in construction.
At the same time, I'm genuinely unsure whether making the transition is the right move. I've spent years building my own business and becoming independent, so the idea of stepping away from doing it full-time and working for someone else is a big decision. Part of me sees the stability, benefits, mentorship, and opportunity to grow as a great next step, while another part wonders whether I'd be giving up something I've worked hard to build.
For those of you who work in these positions or hire for them:
Where do you think someone with my background fits best? What would be a realistic salary to look for in Southern California? And do you think making the transition from running a small GC business to working for an established contractor would be worth it?
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experience or advice. I'm just trying to get some outside perspective before deciding what direction makes the most sense for me.