This was really in-depth and informative RenoQueen!
What I find really interesting is just how much you have learnt about each step of the renovation process by going through it.
I have always found that one of the reasons there are so many mishaps in the construction industry is that each trade knows a whole lot (hopefully) about their specific trade - doing the floors or ceilings etc etc - but most do not have enough overall understanding of how the whole construction has to come together (nor do they care most of the time).
And so, I feel like just the fact that you have gone through the process from start to finish (or at least ‘to flooring’) actually makes you more informed about the overall process than the average Tradie.
And to prove my point (and possibly embarrass myself), I do not know anything about flooring, the closest I’ve come to the flooring is when I worked on skirting.
I also find - as you pointed out - there is often a discordance between what the manufacturers instructions are and what the Tradie does, which also causes issues.
Anyway, great piece, thanks for the shoutout/welcome at the start, and just to clear something up - I’m not actually working in the construction industry anymore, I left after 12 years because I just couldn’t take it anymore.
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Even if you aren't working in the trade, your experiences make your perspective unique. I did not realize that you had left the trade but your observations are excellent and helpful.
I learned thought sheer will because I stumbled and struggled through it and I wasn't getting answers from contractors. Most tradespeople only know the one or two ways to do something and anything out of that comfort zone can lead to disaster. Perhaps what irks me is when they confidently say they can do the job that they have never done before, then not even bother to read the instructions. The chutzpah is fascinating because later they get caught after doing the job poorly.
I agree most tradespeople know their trade. Some have observed others at work so they pick up a thing or two. Some also work on their own homes and may have some tangential knowledge.
I have met one contractor who read the instructions but even he did not admit that he didn't know a lot of things. Not even when it became obvious. They just don't want to admit it for some reason.
Thanks again for your comments, perhaps a post about trades or sequencing would be helpful.
Yeah I guess it’s one of those things, I mean, I have met some tradies that are amazing and it blows me away how much they know, and I’ve met others who clearly don’t really care about what their doing.
And yes it’s so frustrating when tradies (or anyone for that matter) acts like they know what their doing when they don’t.
Yeah I guess learning by going through the experience is the best way to learn.
Yeah I did think about writing about some of my thoughts about my experience in the construction industry after we spoke last time, but I’m just not really that inspired to write about construction. I left the industry because I didn’t enjoy it, so it feels kinda forced to write about it at the moment, but maybe one day...
This was really in-depth and informative RenoQueen!
What I find really interesting is just how much you have learnt about each step of the renovation process by going through it.
I have always found that one of the reasons there are so many mishaps in the construction industry is that each trade knows a whole lot (hopefully) about their specific trade - doing the floors or ceilings etc etc - but most do not have enough overall understanding of how the whole construction has to come together (nor do they care most of the time).
And so, I feel like just the fact that you have gone through the process from start to finish (or at least ‘to flooring’) actually makes you more informed about the overall process than the average Tradie.
And to prove my point (and possibly embarrass myself), I do not know anything about flooring, the closest I’ve come to the flooring is when I worked on skirting.
I also find - as you pointed out - there is often a discordance between what the manufacturers instructions are and what the Tradie does, which also causes issues.
Anyway, great piece, thanks for the shoutout/welcome at the start, and just to clear something up - I’m not actually working in the construction industry anymore, I left after 12 years because I just couldn’t take it anymore.
Thanks RenoQueen.
Thank you for the thoughtful comments. Even if you aren't working in the trade, your experiences make your perspective unique. I did not realize that you had left the trade but your observations are excellent and helpful.
I learned thought sheer will because I stumbled and struggled through it and I wasn't getting answers from contractors. Most tradespeople only know the one or two ways to do something and anything out of that comfort zone can lead to disaster. Perhaps what irks me is when they confidently say they can do the job that they have never done before, then not even bother to read the instructions. The chutzpah is fascinating because later they get caught after doing the job poorly.
I agree most tradespeople know their trade. Some have observed others at work so they pick up a thing or two. Some also work on their own homes and may have some tangential knowledge.
I have met one contractor who read the instructions but even he did not admit that he didn't know a lot of things. Not even when it became obvious. They just don't want to admit it for some reason.
Thanks again for your comments, perhaps a post about trades or sequencing would be helpful.
Yeah I guess it’s one of those things, I mean, I have met some tradies that are amazing and it blows me away how much they know, and I’ve met others who clearly don’t really care about what their doing.
And yes it’s so frustrating when tradies (or anyone for that matter) acts like they know what their doing when they don’t.
Yeah I guess learning by going through the experience is the best way to learn.
Yeah I did think about writing about some of my thoughts about my experience in the construction industry after we spoke last time, but I’m just not really that inspired to write about construction. I left the industry because I didn’t enjoy it, so it feels kinda forced to write about it at the moment, but maybe one day...
Thanks RenoQueen
I'm always impressed when I meet someone in the trade that knows a lot but it takes some time to figure out who is blustering and who actually knows.
You will write if and when you are ready. You probably need to get the trauma out of your system.