Looking For Construction Jobs? Smile, Things Could Be Worse

Looking for construction jobs? Smile, things could bebased upon tags that I had placed during the
worse.orientation. By the end of the walk through, any items
I've been building homes for nearly 30 years. If youpresented during the walk through had been
follow my articles you will find that I have made a fewaddressed and signed off. Another perfect walk
mistakes. I think I have learned something from everythrough and a bonus for my Boss and I. After several
mistake. You can probably look back and laugh atcompany awards for perfect closings and great
many of your own job experiences as I have. I alsocustomer feedback, I encountered a snag in my
include some good advice, if you pay attention.routine. A client could not meet for an orientation during
This article is about my first job in the constructionnormal business hours. I agreed to meet the customer
industry. Here's the advice part… I was hired as aon a Saturday morning. I had a plan. I gathered up
laborer with a group of (5) other laborers by a largesome tools, calk, paint, and cleaning supplies. I would
production home builder. From day one, I always showconduct the walk through, advise the client how
up about an hour early for work and never miss a day.important it was for me to deliver a perfect house, and
Sounds crazy I know, however that is the way I wasrequest that the client grab a cup of coffee while I
raised. My biggest problem with my employees overcomplete any items on the walk through list, then return
the years, has been that there is always one thatin an hour to sign off the list. The walk through went
cannot show up on time. Always 10-30 minutes late.great. A few door and cabinet adjustments, and a few
By the time he arrives, the job is busy and anotherpaint touch-ups, no problem. The client left for coffee
employee or myself has had to manage some of hisas I corrected a few door adjustments and started
work.  I've heard every excuse in the book. This typemy paint touch-up. My final paint touch up was on the
of employee is typically let go after a couple weeks,wall above the top of the stairway. I set up my ladder,
and a few written warnings. Fortunately for me, theset my gallon of enamel at the bottom of the ladder,
other laborers and my direct manager were this typeand proceeded up the ladder with a gallon of wall paint
of employee.  I was very soon, the last standingand a roller. As I completed the repair the customer
laborer and was quickly promoted to an assistanthollered up from below "looks great!".  Startled, I
superintendant, and eventually became my boss'sswung around and flung the gallon of paint toward the
supervisor.  That's my tip for today…always showstairs. I watched in horror as the paint can, in slow
up early and do not miss work. It will work in yourmotion, bounced off the top stair spinning and hitting
favor when you make a mistake.every stair on the staircase, spewing paint on the
Now about my first big mistake. As part of my job aswalls, the stairs, the rails, the floor below, and the
assistant superintendant, I was responsible forcustomer. To add insult to injury, as I stepped off the
completing a home from drywall to closing, including theladder, I stepped into the gallon of enamel that I had
walk through orientation with the owner. My boss andplaced at the bottom of my ladder. I removed my
myself were awarded an incentive bonus for a closingsock and rolled up my pants, and slowly walked down
with -0- incomplete walk through items. I rarely missedthe stairs toward the once happy customer. Needless
a bonus, as I had cleverly asked the carpenter andto say, I did not receive a bonus for this closing, I did
painter to stop by the walk through after about anhowever keep my job. Probably due to my work ethic.
hour, to make minor adjustments and paint touch-ups