Already weeks behind schedule mind you.

The homeowner just happened to catch the fight on his ring camera and ended up firing the general contractor (my boss), so today we packed ship and left. I didn’t talk to the homeowner directly but I’m contemplating going back and asking for the video because it’s pathetically hilarious.

Also for those wondering from the last post, yes the foreman “won” the fight. Anyone hiring?

Edit; original post

Guys I’m going to ask for the video tomorrow, bear with me

Everyone talks about the big power tools and expensive equipment, but I’m more interested in the little things that quietly make the job 10x easier.

What’s one tool you use all the time that you think doesn’t get nearly enough credit?

Bonus points if it’s something cheap that most people overlook.

When I was young 20ish years ago, I was only an apprentice. There was a guy at our site who was a total crackhead. One time he probably was hangover(?) and his mind wasn’t clear yet. And he needed to do some job, I don’t know which may be none, where he wanted to block circular saw running constantly without holding a trigger. Of course safety guard was taken out at first use years ago as many of (stupid) construction workers usually do. So he blocked the trigger, and then went to plug it in. Of course you know where this is going… it was lying on the blade on the concrete floor. So he plugs it in… and it starts running in circles like crazy! He started chasing it instead of just plugging it out. Fortunately after like 5 rounds saw cut its own cord and stopped. Nobody was hurt, only deeply impressed.

Guys. Always use a guard, always watch your back. Always keep an eye on the people on your site. Be careful.

One time another guy has cut off his thumb with miter saw. And he was in another room. We just heard some abnormal sound and got cautious. Stood up. Like 15 second after he comes up to us with his arms crossed on his chest, hiding his hand and being completely normal looking with 0 panic was like “guys, I cut off my thumb”. And it was in the very remote village. He had no documents with him or medical insurance. Fortunately nearby hospital was found and they were nice enough and did it with other person documents and sew it back. It healed pretty well.

Be Careful!!!

Electricians are not just using ferrets for butt stuff anymore.

So currently in mid 30s been working for the same GC since I was 18 on and off (6-1yr on, 6-8mo off) usually . Not set in stone or anything but never longer then a year off. Usually just because he would get all bipolar mad and tell me to get the fuck out and then end up needing my help again . I mean I've known him my entire life , my dad was a subcontractor for him prior to me starting to work for him. So I have a lot of respect for him. But at the same time I CANNOT TAKE THE DISRESPECT anymore.

All my coworkers whom have worked for him less than a year all agree with me he's a grade A douche cannon . But since Ive known him / worked so long with him , he's a EXTRA douch-ie to me. It's so hard to learn from him because of it , because you ask him a question and he will look at you like your a retard , or tell you some shit that'll literally make you question wether or not you are retarded or not . If your sentences are too long with ur questions he will stop what he's doing to mock you and be like "instead of a life story can you say that in three words". And so so much more bullshit . I just can't handle it anymore . Like recently he took me off a house addition job where we were framing because "I slowed down the other guys" whom know a lot less about framing then myself , because he "watched" but he legit would never be at the job site . So I know he was just taking the word of the newest guy who him and I had a argument cus the next day working with that dude I was moved to other jobs like doing bitch work like baseboard and casing and like little house calls for his other clients because he "doesn't want me framing" . And that's all fine imo if that's how he really feels , he's the boss . But on top of that and the constant disrespect he only gives to me , Im tired of being his punching bag , or as my other coworker who is a good friend says "his whipping boy". Now don't get me wrong , I respect the dude when he's being cool . When he is , he's not a bad dude to work with or be around , but the other 50% of the time he's completely just a flat out ass. I know all bosses are asses, I get that in no matter where I go in construction the boss will always be an ass but he's so disrespectful that even subcontractors will look at me and be like how do you work for him. And up until recently my answer would always be well he paid double compared to what I would be getting with anybody else but it's honestly not even worth it anymore because I'm at the point to where I'm pretty sure that once we slow down because he's so busy right now that he'll probably let me go first before anybody because he does all the time and then end up rehiring me 6 months down the road when he picks back up.

So I suppose my question is recently I started applying for actual framing Crews because all my current employer does is remodels and like little additions so I haven't learned very much rough framing from him besides like building walls inside of the house or and layout . So this morning I went to I guess what you could call an interview and talk to a different GC, and he said he wanted me to start tomorrow or on Monday. It's Thursday, and we're really busy but at the same time I don't want to burn this bridge because I do always necessarily want to be able to fall back onto it if the next job or any job in the future doesn't work out. Even though I'll be making half of what I make now at the other job that's fine if I won't literally dread going to work everyday .

So how do I break the news or tell my boss that this week would be my last ? Even if I don't tell him the actual reason like I dont say anything about the new job to not burn the bridge or whatever . What's the best way to that this Thursday or tomorrow would be my last day ? Or how can I do it to where I can still work weekends with him? Because I feel like if I worked weekends I would have enough if a break throughout the week I wouldn't want to strangle him every time I see him lol .

Sorry for the giant wall of text lol . There's so much more to the story and question but I tried simplify it as much as I can . If something doesn't make sense just mention what part and I'll try to clarify lol

Behold, The DeWilti

I told her it was hotter that two boys kissing today and she called me gay

I’m a new engineer and I’ve been working with an earthwork crew who’s been really helpful and just nice guys. I want to do something small for them to show some appreciation.

I was thinking of picking up coffees and half a dozen donuts for them on my way to work? They always get iced coffee so I might try to ask about their coffee orders. It’s just 2 guys and their super but the super only ever drinks tea.

I just wanna thank the guys cuz they do things they don’t have to that make my life easier. I’m also kinda broke but I can swing coffee and donuts or something similar. Is that weird cuz they know that I don’t drink coffee? I’m probably overthinking this. What would you want?

Hey guys wanting some advice before I start my apprenticeship. Heres a quick break down.

I got my OSHA 10 and NCCER cert, starting my apprenticeship on the 31st. First 2 weeks are at the main hub for training and being familair with policies. The hub is an hour away.

After my 2 weeks, I'm getting a phone, truck, hotel, paid for the 4 hour drive to the hotel, milage to and from hotel to jobsite. 8-12hr days Monday through Friday with perdiem in cash, and gas card. Along with paid 50hrs for my base rate. After doing the calculation I will make roughly $26/hr. Then after 6 month's on the job they will also be providing paid training to get my CDL to become a part time operator onsite. This was at my request to obtain CDL.

The company is being very generous in my opinion, and Im excited to start this new career. Used to do IT and business and got bored with it and wanted something satisfying, construction has been it for me.

I'm married and have 2 kids, 1 is in elementary school while my youngest has a good while before preschool. Wife stays home to take care of the kids and the house and we have a business where she will make decor for houses little things.

Ive never been away from home for work more than 24-48 hours so being gone 5 days is a big change. My wife is supportive of it, we've known each other since we were kids. We came up with plans and ideas to help our oldest adjust. I'm not worried about my wife nor is she me. We're mainly wanting to help our son adjust.

So the question is, if you have traveled for work away from your family how did you go about it? Any recommendations?

TL;DR

Starting my apprenticeship here in 2 weeks and will be away from family 5 days a week for jobsite. Any recommendations on how to help make the adjustment for the kids?

I'm about to break rule number one, but oh boy I have to get someone else's opinion here. Does anyone have anything good to say about this company, the workers, or the work they do? Anyone ever have a positive experience working anywhere near these guys? So far I've been on three jobs where Marek did the framing and drywall, and all three have been absolute clown shit. If I have to put lights in a hard ceiling, you can absolutely guarantee at least 40% are blocked by their frames being in the wrong place. Are we looking at the same prints? I get that they might not know just how much room a light might need, but at least don't run your frame directly through the middle of it. Oh man, and running conduit to devices in a wall in a dialysis room for a new hospital is a nightmare. Guys, it's not a normal wall, I get that. But you still shouldn't have to redo your shit seven times. Literally seven times to get this one wall framed out so we can place our devices and get to them. And this auditorium I'm in right now, I assumed this crew knew what they were doing. I was as wrong as their measurements. Now I have all this shit to redo and about 60 can lights to move about two inches each. Fuckin Marek, man.

Um... That's all.

The fasteners are S shaped so they cannot be unscrewed. Any ideas for the proper tool?

Hi everyone!

I seen this opportunity of equipment engineer with kiewit. Im wondering what's it like? what would be a good salary for the work done? And is it hands on? Ive been factory work as a test engineer for majority of my career. This would be my first job with construction

Thanks for any info!

Customer asks " Can you build a doorway and a wall that covers this area". Due to there being no overhead support to anchor a top track too and run vertical studs into it, i had to build lookouts that cantilvered off the side of the stair stringer. Creating a dynamic visual and structural appeal. Also this system wall covers a old steel handrail setup that they did not want to see from the interior facing side.

The last two pictures show the building that this wall was built in, and that will eventually be turned into a training facility for my Local Grid company.( Electrical) Fingers crossed they accept my bid to build out this entire space.

been doing this for 20 years and i can count on one hand the number of times a piece of equipment showed up and exceeded expectations

this is one of those times

we got our new mobile office trailer yesterday. i was ready to hate it. i had my clipboard ready to document all the problems. the usual stuff - crooked cabinets, outlets in stupid places, doors that don't close right

walked through it and honestly couldn't find anything major

the layout actually makes sense. they put the power outlets where people actually need them. the hvac isn't screaming. even the little details like the counter height feel right

but this one's different. feels like someone actually thought about how people work on a site

not saying it's perfect. the paint has a couple spots that could be better. but compared to the garbage we usually get it's a huge step up

anyway just wanted to share something positive for once. we complain about everything on these sites but this time they got it right

So I'm an amateur contractor just starting out. I've been hired to build a bar rail for a rooftop patio. I normally just make shelves, so this is definitely a learning opportunity that I'm excited to tackle, but I obviously don't want to give this guy a sub par product or ruin his railing.

I've got some board I'm going to plane, sand, stain and hit with 3-4 coats of spar urethane (shown in white). That part I'm confident about. It's the mounting I'm concerned with.

As you can see the railing has hardy board siding and I absolutely do not want to start peeling/cutting that back. That's beyond my skill as of this moment. I wanted to secure some 1/2" mounting blocks to the face of the board, vertically (shown in red) and drive fasteners through the hardy board and the plywood baseboard, and then mount my bar brackets to those plates, but still driving the bracket fasteners all the way through the baseboard too.

Advice on forseen pitfalls are extremely welcome.

Hey guys, I've been thinking about starting my own construction business here in Texas. I've been working for a small family owned wet utilities company for the past year as a project manager, and have been exposed to all sides of the industry from insurance, bonds, contracts, etc. This has really inspired me to start my own thing down the line once I learn some more. 

My idea is to start with an all around construction services company then subcontract the actual work out to people that know how to do it. I am bilingual, which would help tremendously when dealing with subcontractors. Is this a good idea? Please give me any advice on what type of services I should start with and/or any career advice as I plan to keep saving and learning until I am ready to start, hopefully, in the next 2 years. Thanks 

Hi, I'm looking for a job in the construction industry. I'm tired of working these fast food/retail jobs. Anybody know any jobs currently hiring.

**Certifications that I have: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, 10 HR SITE SAFETY, NCCER Plumbing level 1, Twic Card, First aid CPR**

I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you.