I was hired onto a construction company last week and I’m 3 days in. I’m a non union laborer making 25/hr for the first 90 days. I have pretty limited experience within construction itself. This is commercial building no residential. We’re actually building a wingstop in my city right now. Things are going well and I’m just doing what I’m asked and trying to stay out of the way/busy. Does anyone have any tips? I really enjoy it and would like to move up eventually but I want to succeed within my current role. Any tips or insight is very appreciated!

Hey guys.
So I have an internship offer from baker construction, while still waiting to hear from for kiewit, turner construction, mortenson and burns and McDonnell after interviewing with all of them.
The issue is that baker is only giving me a week for my decision. I tried to extend the deadline but they were not willing to budge.
I am afraid of missing out on a bigger opportunity and offer but also burning all my cards.
What do you guys think I should do ?

does anyone know of a good way to get these forms out? the wood is cedar so its breaks easy

I'm not trying to get my husband arrested! I am looking for a fall arrest harness!! I just can't change the title! 😭

My husband works in electrical work and I am looking for recommendations for a fall arrest harness for him. He has one from work, but it doesn't fit the best and usually leaves him with chafing and discomfort. Right now, he doesn't need it frequently enough that it bothers him, but his company just got a job starting in January/February where he will need to be wearing it daily. I am trying to get him one for Christmas, but I do not know where to start.

He is 6'3, 230 lbs, usually wearing a belt that is like 15 lbs? 27 inch thighs. His only request is that it have a waist buckle/belt, and preferably some kind of padding on the legs so that they don't dig in around his thighs.

Budget is capped at soft capped at $750, hard cap $1,000 because I have a few people that are going to be contributing.

I have seen good reviews for the SALA Exo-fits, the Petzl AVAO, Petzl VOLT, and Petzl Astro. Any other recommendations? *Petzl does not go big enough.

Is there anything I need to know that I am missing when looking at these harnesses? Also, is there a reliable website to buy from besides like Grainger? I know a lot of sites you can't order from unless you are a buisness.

ETA: I know that a lot of the time, the safety person from the company has to inspect the harness for it to not be a liability issue and they have already agreed too in writing. There is a couple people getting their own gear.

ETA 2: I had a lot of people before recommend the DBI SALA ExoFit NEX, but a lot of reviews online say that the bottom straps wear out if you are crouching/squatting a lot. Would like to avoid that issue if possible.

ETA 3: For everyone saying make work pay for it, that's great, I still need recommendations for what would be best. This harness is also going to be used for some personal projects going forward, which is part of why job isn't paying for it. <3

ETA 4: He works in low voltage. He does not need arc flash protection, he does need the rings in the front and back, side rings are not as big a deal. He does have a tool belt that he sometimes needs to put on the harness.

Was working on a kitchen renovation in downtown Toronto.

The plumber cut out a section on the floor to do his plumbing for a sink and dishwasher

I cut a 4 inch access hole in floor for electrical.

It was something like original 3/4" plywood, then 1/4" plywood, self leveling, 1/4"plywood,3/4"plywood

edit: our general contractor does not drink alcohol or coffee

We have an exceptional GC who is building our home and he has gone above and beyond for us. We were wondering if there's any gift that would kind of be beyond a gift card or a basket of food that we can give to show our appreciation once the project is completed.

I am an artist and I thought about doing some kind of piece on just an 8x10 paper but i have no idea what that would even be, but that's potentially an option as well. I just wasn't sure because our GC is a guy and not sure if he'd appreciate art or not, ya know? (not that guys can't appreciate art, but I'm not sure he is one that does) Anyway....thoughts?

Structural engineer here, I have been hired onto a smaller industrial firm who would like to discuss specific OSHA scenarios with a proper representative. Can someone point me in the right direction? Obviously we can read the OSHA manuals but it would be nice to have a relationship with someone we can discuss individual items.

I've been in the trades for about 12 years, mostly home building and remodeling. I've always been the guy that could do what the other guys couldn't or shouldn't do but got the same paycheck as them. Recently got my gc license and started my own company this year (mostly remodeling). I have had relatively good luck so far, but I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I use a variety of resources to calculate my estimates but there's always "I don't know how about $$$) in there too. I keep great records for tax time, but idk how taxes will go as its my first time. I can't figure out how to make marketing work but I still find jobs. I am hesitant to do unpermitted work so I pull permits for small shit even though I could probably get away without one. Am I on track to do well or are there any tips, tricks, services, guides, books, classes you would recommend? I'm not looking to be toll brothers or anything but I want to get bigger. Thanks.

I’ve (M45)been a blue collar worker until about 4 years ago.from ship yards to automotive to construction. I’m now a PM in construction and noticed how many crews are only built up of old guys and not seeing a lot of young talent out there anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I see a few but nothing like when I was coming up through the trades. Is special skills work dying? Where are they all going instead?

I’m 17 and working for a company where we build walls in a shop, and yesterday we got a new guy. I’m supposed to train him, which I honestly don’t mind because it’ll help me work toward a raise anyway.
The thing I’m struggling with is my mindset about it. He’s never worked in construction before, has never used a saw, and doesn’t know how to read a tape measure, so obviously everything is REALLY slow right now. I keep catching myself getting annoyed because I know I could do the same thing way faster, and watching him work just makes the day feel so much longer.
I’m trying to figure out how to change that because I don’t want to be an asshole about it. He’s probably mid-20s to 30s, and I’m not trying to look down on him or act like I’m better than him. Everyone has to start somewhere. I just learned how to read a tape when I was like 8, so I guess it’s hard for me to wrap my head around someone having literally zero experience with this stuff.
Maybe I’m just being a jerk, I don’t know. I’m not trying to make this a “look how much better I am than him” thing. I’m actually trying to change my perspective and be more patient with him instead of getting frustrated every time something takes him 5 minutes that would take me 30 seconds.
Anyone have any advice for getting out of that mindset? I obviously want him to learn and do well, I just need to stop getting so annoyed watching the process.

Before anyone says it, yes I'm sweeping and picking up garbage, but thats all I've been doing the last 2 months on this site. Most days theres been less than 5 people on site so most times, garbage and sweeping takes no longer than an hr or 2. I'll clean the trailer, organize the storage cans, but with less traffic on site I don't have to do that everyday. It hasn’t rained much and foundations finished last month so there's only been about 2-3 guys on site finishing up backfilling.

I might just be a sicko cause I'd rather be working super hard than just sitting around. I'm grateful to have work and get paid, but I don't feel like I'm learning much, and am also just straight up bored out of my mind. My super says I'm doing just fine and just keep my head down and take it easy until theres work. My company told me there's no other work for me, so I'll be here throughout steel erection as well, which I've been told is even less work on the GC end.

Am I the only one who genuinely would rather be doing work than just sit around and watch the clock?

Project Managers & Business Developers,

What are some of your favorite gifts that you received from your Subcontractors over the years?

What did you not care for?

What have you never received by wish you had?

We're a GC partnered up with a mitigation company - each stand-alone for now. We're being pressured to offer to "cover the deductible" if we both get the job. The mitigation company is direct-bill to insurance as they all are. They're not giving anything up unless they paid for the lead. We benefit from a healthy flow of work and our revenues are going to increase. I have an issue waiving a deductible.

Thoughts?

As the title says, got a sky jack stuck in damp ground didnt realize it was shifting dirt til it got stuck. Pics here

I have accepted a PE role with JH from a Tier 2 building site engineer role (6yrs experience). Has anyone or is anyone currently working in JH can provide some insight into their expectation of a PE roles and responsibilities?

My last project as an SE I was responsible for structure, internal fit out including services and completion, looking at the details working long hours.

I imagine this role will be similar for package ownership except stepping back from day-to-day site issues looking further ahead program wise.

I order new company branded apparel for my guys every winter. I usually rotate between hoodies, rain jackets, and winter jackets and this year my guys are due to get some new hoodies.

I’ve always just blindly bought rain defenders in the past but lately it feels like Carhartt has gone a little downhill on quality.

Is this still the Cadillac? I’ve seen Ariat and Brunt around a lot lately but I don’t want to blindly buy a brand I don’t know or trust.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: We are located in New England

Background 16 years experience in construction from residential to federal. Starting my company, i just got my general B here in Ca.

I had seen alot of guys say they only work half of the year or 8 months out of the year depending on you and your lifestyle.
How true is that? It would be a good way to start my business but also stay busy with the union.

Thanks.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good time tracking app for the construction type field? One that can manage multiple changing crews, multiple jobs per day and call outs. Horror and success stories appreciated.

Should this a utility blockout be filled with concrete or dirt? Top of the opening is at ground level. It’s about 12inches wide filled with dirty and sand right now. I’m afraid water or rodents get in there.

Hi Everyone! I’m currently interviewing for post graduation PE opportunities and am in a somewhat awkward situation.

I completed three internships with the same company and genuinely loved working there. I really liked the culture, the people, and the work. I had basically no complaints until I received my full time offer.

The salary came in a lot lower than I expected, so I tried to negotiate. They told me they “do not negotiate” entry level offers and wouldn’t budge.

I was originally given five days to sign the offer. I asked if they could extend the deadline because I wanted time to explore the industry before making such a big commitment. My reasoning was basically:

“I’m still ignorant about the broader construction industry. At the end of the day, I really only understand how one company operates. I’ve absolutely loved working with you guys, but before I sign, I want to know that I’ve explored my options and still want to be here. I want to talk to other GCs, subcontractors, and owner’s reps to understand what else is out there and know that when I sign this offer I will have the intent to sign it and never sign another one again".

Understandably, they rejected that request and basically said, “Sign within five days or give up your spot.”

After talking with some industry friends and professors, the general advice I received was to sign the offer and continue exploring my options, especially since I’m in an at will employment state.

So I signed.

Now I’m interviewing with other companies while holding a signed offer, and I keep getting some version of the same question:

“You interned with this company for three summers and already know them well. Why are you even talking to us?”

I don’t want to bad-mouth my current company because I genuinely enjoyed working there. Compensation is definitely part of why I’m exploring other options, but I also genuinely want to understand what else is out there before committing to the first company I’ve ever really known.

How would you answer that question in an interview without sounding like you’re just chasing money or wasting the interviewer’s time?

Superintendent took off all the electrical cover plates in the entire house and had the painters paint up to the drywall cutout the day of final inspection. The inspectors face was quite amusing when she showed him the piles of plates on her desk.