superintendents manual for carpenter
I am in situation where, working for a builder/developer, I am evolving from lead carpenter to super, and am looking for a good book on construction management, I am building, not super high end, but fairly high end buildings. So far one 18,000 sq ft complete and another 15,000 sq ft in the midst. The problems I am running into are basically staffing and scheduling. I am carpentry foreman, dealing with the trades, making schedules, Sometimes it seems like the whole day is just putting out one fire after another. My guys production is low but the work is difficult. When I try to hire it’s just two weeks of wasted time dealing with unqualified applicants. I’m sure I am not the only one out there. The company is young and has other jobs in the fire where we are solely developer. My inexperience, coming from a strictly carpentry background, gives me little ammo dealing with the office, I feel like I need more support, but I’m not sure and neither are they. The market here is fantastic and we are doing fine. But I would like to get better. Any advice?
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Great question with no easy answer
In some ways, it's just like being a plain old chippy...say you have a door to hang....you have the skills( & if you don't you research & ask those who do...which you are doing right now!), so you mentally take stock, then measure, plan, make a list for materials, & go do it...just about equal parts brain, body, & bookwork...
As managment the bodywork (i.e. labor), goes away, so you do more brain & bookwork...(personally I think good paperwork people are born, not made...& for what it's worth, as management paperwork and documentation become essential...e-mail, project management software & computers are almost a given these days and can be helpfull)
"My inexperience, coming from a strictly carpentry background, gives me little ammo dealing with the office, I feel like I need more support, but I'm not sure and neither are they."
Well, all the Project managers I've ever dealt with were overworked...but that's why they made the big bucks...
As far as hiring good help, good luck....sounds like at least where you are you don't have to learn Spanish....
There are Project Management resources on the web & if you e-mail me I'll try and refer you to some of them
Last & probably most important, communication....it's everything (& I include good people skills in communication)....never make issues personal, make decisions...you will make mistakes, you will make the right decision & have it not work anyway, but make decisions when they are your call..
Thanks for your input. I see the jobs riding a sign wave and when its at that low point its easy to get frustrated. The trades all need something, the carpenters are still working on yesterdays project the special order item is not here yet. i guess there is no better tool than your best effort.
Funny, I didn't realize I'd also posted to you in response to your G'Town job pics....D.C you do need one of those Spanish for Construction books...
It's not really a resource, but you might enjoy the following if you haven't seen it...says something about thinking outside the box..
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=58307.1
As far a being on the downside of the sine wave, you're absolutely right...some days everyone's on the rag, other days everyone flows......
I've been working with those guys long enough. When a put a suprisingly good spanish sentence together, I tell them," tell your sister, 'watch out'."
I don't know of any good books for the subject. Been in your boots for the past 15 years. Past ten years doing highend townhomes. Here is a few items that have worked for me.
1 Record keeping is job # 1. (get a file cabinet)
2 Document everything you say or do.
3 Schedule all trades (using # 1 & 2 above).
Learn as much as you can about other trades. Most days it is all about putting out one fire after another.
We keep about 8-10 three ring binders in the construction trailer, Fax machine, Computer, PDA (palm pilot), digtial camera & 2 file cabinets.
WE also keep red spray paint on hand, so when we walk the job twice a day with tape & level we can mark the problem areas.
Thanks for the advice.
When I worked for New Urban Builders, the boss sent all 3 of our supers to a Lee Evans seminar. They came back with arm loads of study materials. I think the seminars are kind of pricey, though.
http://www.leeevansgroup.com
Hope that helps,
darcy