In building and remodeling the quality of work and the efficiency with which it is done by your trades’ people is more important than the speed.
When I was first starting out working on a carpentry crew, I was “greener” than the lumber we were using to build the new homes. I had everything to learn and I knew it so I kept my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open.
One morning I was sent to a new job. Everyone was racing around getting himself organized for the day’s work; except for one older carpenter. He got out of his truck and leisurely walked around and looked at everything carefully for quite a few minutes. My initial impression was that this man was not going to get much done with his slow paced approach; and the owner was not getting his money’s worth.
Then this man went to his truck and began to bring out his tools and brought them all to one place where he set up a work station. He didn’t rush and he did not go back to his truck the entire day until it was time to pack up. All the others were running to their trucks off and on all day.
At the end of the day this leisurely-paced man got much more done than anyone else and he did it better.
Quite a few years later I hired a Scottish carpenter and gave him an addition to trim out. I watched him like I do all new employees and saw that he too did not move very fast; but, oh, what work he did! It was perfect! He measured, cut; and it usually fit the first time. Over 30 years later I still say that I have never met a better wood joiner. He always made us look good.
Many times in the 24 years that he worked for us full time I got complaints from my people that he was too slow. I agreed that he was not fast and that perhaps he cost us a little more than another carpenter would have in time spent doing the job. However, every time we had a problem with a finish issue on a job we could send him over and he would figure out a way to fix it. In this regard he was and still is a “genius”.
My expression in describing this man is: “He might not have made us a lot of money; but he saved us tens of thousands of dollars.” I always felt secure having him with us.
If you do now or aspire to do first-quality work, do not underestimate the value of a true craftsman to your business. He/she will give you the credibility you need to have.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Agree with what you are saying here, although I have to underscore the issue of efficiency as a primary consideration in how a really GOOD carpenter becomes a profitable asset. As we always extoll the virtues of great joinery, etc, I find that is often misconstrued by “great craftsmen”, and bounces back to me in some terms that sound like “unproductive is OK”. Productivity, particularly by means of efficiency and planning (as opposed to speed), and fine craftsmanship are by no means mutually-exclusive. They are, admittedly, two separate skill sets!
Hello Mason;
I could not agree with you more. Too many “craftsmen” think that their skills are worth any price and time of accomplishment matters little to not at all. The man I was referring to was not highly paid compared to many other skilled men but he only had one speed so we used him wisely.
On the flip side, at one point we had a cabinet shop. We put one of our energetic young fellows in charge of it. He ran around all day and was always busy; but nothing ever got done well or on time.
Thanks for your comments. They were well thought out and presented.
Best Wishes!