Replies

1. 
   jrnbj | May 29, 2005 06:49pm | #1

   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..

1. 
   quicksilver | May 30, 2005 04:10pm | #2

   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.

1. 
   jrnbj | May 30, 2005 08:57pm | #6

   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......

1. 
   quicksilver | May 30, 2005 09:54pm | #7

   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'."

2. 
   G80104 | May 30, 2005 04:40pm | #3

    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.

    

    

1. 
   quicksilver | May 30, 2005 05:10pm | #4

   Thanks for the advice.

3. 
   darcey | May 30, 2005 05:37pm | #5

    

   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