Opportunity To Learn A Craft

ArnieTX

I have a contractor who is doing an addition for me. A mutual friend is doing the carpet, laminate, and tiles. I spent some time with them helping build the laminate and lay the carpet. I enjoyed it.

Anyway, they have offered to let me come work with them on weekends and weeknights to learn the skills it takes to do this work. If anyone has any advice on what I can do to prepare for this or what expectations these guys would have from a "trainiee" I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Joe

PrecisionFloors

As a greenie one of the biggest things you can do is realize that until the job is complete (truck is loaded and job is clean) there is ALWAYS something to do. Try to think two or three steps ahead and remove the tools no longer needed and fetch the ones you'll need next. Do not sit idle and watch somebody else work.

Another thing is always project a professional image and attitude where customers are concerened. They may joke with you and make you feel like its ok to talk to them like one of your boys at a bar....don't do it.

Until you get used to it, your knees will kill you. Get used to wearing pads now, don't wait until your knees hurt.

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

ArnieTX

Solid advice. Thanks.

Any good brand of knee pads? Where can I find them?

Thanks

woodmagman

If you’re helping as a labourer or a friend the best way to learn is from a professional. Steel toed boots and eye protections give the appearance of doing the work. A wall built or 20 sheets of drywall hung in a reasonable amount of time, is what it is really about. All companies need to see profitably even ones owned by friends. Production first, love for the finished product comes later, like said earlier “when the truck is loaded and the dust from the sweeping has settled”.

PrecisionFloors

http://www.proknee.com/

Those are the best on the market by far, but they are pricey. I would advise you to make sure this trade is one you will stay in for a little while before ordering them. Meantime these will do you pretty good. The Patellas are great pads as well. The Crains are the best "cheap" pad that I have used.



http://www.amazon.com/Fluid-Forms-Ad.../dp/B00002253W


http://www.tools4flooring.com/crain-...ads-p-398.html

__________________
Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

ArnieTX

Thanks. BTW- I was stationed at Langley AFB for a few years back in the early 90s. My Mom was from Newport News, Dad from Richmond. Still have relatives strung out in Farmville, Powhatan, VA Beach.

Talked to a buddy that stilll lives in Hampton yesterday. He said I wouldn't recognize the place anymore. Grown a lot.

Thanks