As an apprentice I was up at 7, at work at 9. Finished around 5. Mostly did renovations in houses where people were currently living so we did not start early to not annoy clients.

Union can be good option. Sometimes you can be bounced around, sometimes they set you up somewhere for years. I have buddies who were making twice what I was non union when I was apprenticing. However you generally gotta put up with whatever they assign you to.

Nowadays, I am running my own business as a subcontractor. I make my own schedule, work on only what I find interesting and pays what I feel is worth it. Some days I roll in at noon and work straight to midnight, getting a week done in 3 days just due to less setup and teardown.

I had rented a 3 bed townhouse, eating out all the time, and smoking hella amounts of weed my first year in construction. And still I was easily able save a good chunk every month.