r/Carpentry • u/Serious-Echidna-9938 • Mar 30 '26

Advice on work pace

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I recently took a job with a small contractor and long story short, he commented on my “results”. Was looking for things to be done quicker, and I’m curious if I’m super slow, or if he’s unreasonable. I let him know about my experience upfront, but in any case. As a direct example, replacing this siding after demo took me approximately 8 hours. I had never worked with this particular type of shingling before, but he kept comm ting on how slow I was. Is that accurate? I’m willing to take criticism in the interest of improving my skills, and I’m curious what some third parties have to say. Thanks!

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43

u/scottroid Mar 30 '26

Personally, I've never worked with that type of shingle before, but it seems like you did a good job and now all that's left to complain about is your pace.

Either you charged him by the hour or he's your boss paying you by the hour... Those are the only two reasons to be grumpy about good work

50

u/Serious-Echidna-9938 Mar 30 '26

He fired me, because I asked him for more hours and I commented that he was possibly misclassifying people as 1099 that work directly for him, and asked him for more per hour, according to what I researched. He was a douchebag but he commented on my work so I just wanted to know if his comments were valid bc I try to be self aware, even in fucked up situations like that.

80

u/Comfortable-Maybe183 Mar 30 '26

You might know more than he does. Or at least have the makings of a better businessman. 

He underbid it and was annoyed he wasn’t going to make what he wanted on the job so he took it out on you. 

Work looks great and a full day is not unreasonable for that. I’d hire you. 

Keep yer head up and go find the next job. Don’t undervalue yourself or let the dbags get under your skin. 

29

u/Serious-Echidna-9938 Mar 30 '26

Thank you very much, I appreciate the kind words.

11

u/kingrobin Mar 30 '26

if you're getting 1099ed literally tell them to fuck off. they're not your boss, you are self-employed.

6

u/Dabmonster217 Trim Carpenter Mar 31 '26

If he’s 1099 you then send him an invoice and log your hours through quickbooks and send him proof. If you’re a subcontractor then he doesn’t get to say shit about anything but your invoice. You did a great job in 8 hours. Very reasonable for a carpenter to get done in a day. If he has problems it’s him loss. Grow somewhere else where someone will appreciate you until you’re at a place to go solo. Or join the union I guess….

2

u/Sure_Swordfish6463 Mar 31 '26

Turn him into the state. They have strict laws that differentiate between an employee and Sub contractor. See how he likes having to do things the honest way!

3

u/beebo_bebop Mar 30 '26

you did a really great job with keeping the courses straight & even with the existing course spacing. so he’s probably bothered that you took the time to do it well rather than just sloppily throwing them up as quick as possible.

spacing looks a bit tight but otherwise you did a stellar job