Help Needed Bad

brian28gti

Hi i need some advice on something so any help would be nice. Im 23 years old and been in construction almost 5 years 1 year as construction clean up 2 years as a framer and 2 years building decks. Im getting ready to take a job at 84 lumber as a contractor sales rep. I can read blue prints allright but not great and there are still some phases of construction i dont know much about. My question is .... Is there any books that i could read that could help me get better at reading blue prints and give me knowledge of the other phases of construction i dont know about ? Any advice would be very appercaite and if i posted in the wrong im sorry its my first time on here . I want this job very bad. Thank you to who ever helps

mdshunk

I can't help you, but I do have an observation. 84 Lumber hires young buck "managers" like you all the time, and they go through them on a regular basis. They work you into the ground until you quit, then they hire another guy just like you as your replacement. I give you 2 years, tops.

Here's a handy tip for you during your next job interview anywhere. Ask what happened to the last guy and how long he worked there. The answers to those questions can be very telling and perhaps open the door for further inquiry on that matter.

Cole

Are you going to be figuring materials for 84 lumber?

If so, I would think you are screwed, it takes years to learn how to properly read a blueprint.

Here:
http://www.contractor-books.com/Blueprint_Reading.htm

__________________
Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

mdshunk

http://www.84lumber.com/careers/life.asp?type=

JustaFramer

All the good books on blueprints are around a 100 dollars and base on residential. Or if you could go take some blueprint reading class at local community college or trade school.

And it doesn't take years to read residential blueprints. It would take a few years to be really proficient at reading heavy commercial blueprints. Residential is the basic blueprint class.

Tscarborough

My advice:

If a "contractor" wants you to do his takeoff, tell him your experience level and tell him you will go through the plans with him and ya'll can do it between you. If he will not do so, then request that he give you a material list for the quote.

Never, ever, get in over your head. Don't guess, don't W.A.G, don't lie. You either know it or you don't and doing any of the listed does not do you or the customer any good.

Be honest, open, and friendly and most contractors will be happy to express their knowledge and help you learn.

Good luck!

__________________
It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

Cole

Well said! That is what I was meaning when I said, it takes year to learn how to properly read a blueprint.

__________________
Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

C.C.R.

I think you came to the right place. All these guys that answered before me know what their talking about. Take their words of wisdom to heart it make you or break you. And yes honesty is definately the best policy when dealing with other contractors. I'm still a young buck when it comes to running a business but these guys haven't steered me wrong yet.
Good luck in your new job. Honesty gets you respect.

__________________
Complete Custom Remodeling
"When Quality is Top Priority"
www.completecustomremodeling.com

brian28gti

Im not trying to be rude in anyway when i say this but maybe they go through people cause people dont want to put in a honest days work. In this position the money you make is based on how hard you work so im looking forward to working hard . Like i said im not trying to be rude just throwing my 2 cents in

Michaeljp86

What I know about 84 lumber is all you have to be is stupid to work there. Must be why the went out of business.

__________________
I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.

mindseye

Try the Taunton Press, they put out Fine Homebuilding among hundreds of others, I have found their "By Pros for Pros series excellent help for info. Any job to get experience is good in my book you use it as a springboard to bigger an better things.Good luck

BattleRidge

residential plans are really simply so I am sure you will be fine with that. Some commercial stuff is way more complicated, plus its just alot of responsibility. Its not rocket science, its like reading a gnarly map so once you learn its not that bad.

brian28gti

thank you so much for that

brian28gti

Really when did 84 lumber go out of business ?

mdshunk

Yep, I thought the same as you once upon a time. I was in college, and I was selling vacuum sweepers door-to-door when I wasn't in class. I said almost your exact same words. I thought I was going to be a ga-zillionaire. Best of luck to you, just the same.

Here's a head's up... when you're on a salary, they basically own your butt 24 hours a day.

JustaFramer

Not to be rude but I have found Taunton Presses books to be a joke and over priced. They seem to be written by primadonnas for preprimadonnas. If you want real books on construction then you are paying at least 60 dollars on up. Your already going to pay 30 bucks for garbage might as well pay for a real book of knowledge.

brian28gti

Last time i checked selling a vaccum and selling a woodpackage is a little different and im aware they own me when im on salary but they do call it work for a reason .. and thank you for the luck

True North

As mentioned before, Taunton's "For Pros By Pros" line is good.

I'd also go to your local library and get books like "Modern Carpentry". The material is a bit dated, but basic framing hasn't changed that much. Check out any books that might be even remotely helpful.
"Graphic Guide to Frame Construction", by Rob Thallon is another good one put out by Taunton.

"The Very Efficient Carpenter", by Larry Haun has a small section devoted to reading plans. It is put out by (you guessed it) Taunton.

www.taunton.com

I hope this helps.

JustaFramer

You are not just selling a wood package there. You better learn takeoff because if the housing market picks up .Then you will be asked to give a take off and a price for the package or packages. It was a pretty competitive market a few years ago. You lose accounts because of your short falls and it will be a short fall from your a$$ to the ground.

brian28gti

I know i will be selling more then wood packages i was just saying .. And trust me this ass isnt hitting the ground lol