Hey – Walker and Davis here!
Happy Saturday morning to the Laying Foundations community!
When a trade partner comes to you with a problem, how do you respond?
Today’s issue takes about 5 minutes to read and was written for you by Walker Lott
Enjoy!
Quote Of The Week
It is guaranteed that when you work in construction, you will come across multiple problems, and that’s just in a single day.
The plans contradict each other, there’s not enough detail, there’s no information in the specs, something was laid out wrong, and the list goes on.
But, you, as a general contractor, need to decide how you will handle these problems when someone comes to tell you about them.
Will you turn to them and say, “That’s not my problem, figure it out,” or “What’s the problem? Let’s figure it out”. They have slightly different wording but massively different meanings.
So, as a general contractor or anyone who has someone bring you a problem, how can you go about solving problems WITH your trade partner?
Approach Each Problem As If You Are A Team
It’s easy to get into a win-lose scenario on a project, but the good PMs, Supers, Safety, etc., try to make it a win-win for all those involved because, at the end of the day, the main goal for everyone is to build the project and build it well.
In team sports, everyone has the same goal and is hoping for the same outcome and if you aren’t, then you are not a good team.
Construction is the same way. Each person should have the same end goal, so why not work towards that together?
Go The Extra Mile, And So Will Others
If you have someone come to you with a problem, and you spend a few minutes trying to figure it out and then end up pushing it back on them, then that sets the tone for the whole project.
However, if you are someone who your trade partner knows they can count on and knows will get them the right answer, then inevitably, when you are in a similar situation, they will go the extra mile because you did it for them.
At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel like they are valued, and by doing your best to find solutions, you don’t lessen someone else’s problems.
Solve Problems In A Timely Fashion
If you do the first two points but fail to accomplish the third, then you wasted your time.
A problem is a problem because it has upcoming impacts that will happen sooner than later unless you solve them and put them to rest.
When your trade partner approaches you with a problem, make it a priority to solve it and not wait a week or two to do so. Write that RFI, make that phone call, ask that superintendent, and find the solution so the project can continue to progress.
Construction is basically taking a bunch of problems and solving them until, eventually, you have a fully constructed building!
Quality of the Week: Grit – Not giving up when things get hard.
20-Year-Old Self Advice: No one will look down on you if you don’t know something and ask for help. The problem comes when you PRETEND to know something you don’t.
Next Gen Vision
This is inspired by SiteNews – the modern voice of Canadian Construction. Laying Foundations believes in painting a picture for the younger generation. By doing so, we want you to submit your best job site photos for the month of May. We will release the best photos at the end of the month of June to share with our subscriber base. The best photos will get a shoutout on the newsletter, and laying foundations merch!
Help us paint a picture for the younger generation to see how awesome the construction industry is by submitting your photo here!
Interesting Read
📈 SiteNews
A weekly email that covers news, trends, and insights in Canadian construction.
In a quick 5-minute read, this newsletter breaks down the biggest industry stories – keeping you ahead of the game.
Find out why thousands of readers rely on SiteNews to stay informed.
Construction Facts
The Statue of Liberty
- It was constructed using copper sheets that were hammered into shape and assembled around an iron framework.
- Height and Weight: From the base to the tip of the torch, the Statue of Liberty stands at a height of 305 feet (93 meters). It originally weighed 225 tons (204 metric tons), with the copper sheeting accounting for around 62 tons (56 metric tons).
- France’s Gift to the United States: The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and serves as a symbol of freedom and democracy.
- Assembly: The statue was constructed in France and then disassembled into 350 individual pieces for transportation to the United States. It was shipped in crates and reassembled on Bedloe’s Island (now known as Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.
- Historic Restoration: Over time, the Statue of Liberty has undergone several restoration efforts to preserve its structural integrity and appearance. Notably, between 1984 and 1986, the statue underwent an extensive renovation for its centennial, including the replacement of the original torch with a new one covered in gold leaf.
The Statue of Liberty remains an iconic symbol, welcoming millions of visitors each year to experience its grandeur and historical significance as a beacon of hope and freedom.
Check out episode 120 on The Laying Foundations Podcast!
Join our conversation today with Thomas Lamay, Jesse Hernandez, Walker Lott, & Davis Hambrick as they discuss why mental health in construction is important. For too long in the construction industry, people have felt that talking about their current life conditions is taboo. We as an industry need to create places where anyone can talk about the hurt they are going through. Join us each month as we continue our conversation and discuss failures in our own lives with the intent to show others how to be vulnerable and have real conversations.
