I've been a contractor for about 17 years. When I first started I didn't
have much and I couldn't afford much. I hired a friend to help with my very
first job because he had a truck.

One of my first decent size jobs included multiple penetrations of concrete
walls to run conduit for data and alarm cable between buildings. I remember
standing there on my ladder with a 1" star drill and a 4 pound hammer for 2
days making holes, because when I went to the store I had just enough money
in my pocket for the ladder. I had cramps in my hands and arms after the
first day and had to force myself to go back the 2nd.

Now I couldn't even imagine taking on a job like that without my 1"
Milwaukee spline drive rotary hammer. (that hammer cost more than ten
ladders)

Another thread made me think of this.