Residential To Commercial Transition

builder80

Hey guys, This is my first post but have been reading along for a few months (tons of great info). All of my experience in construction has been in residential. I have been a foreman for a custom home builder running a crew of 5 - 8 guys depending on the job. The homes were high end, ranging from 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 and up to 8,200 sq/ft. My crew was responsible for footers, framing, exterior/interior finish. I recently relocated and because of the housing industry have found work on a commericial site(regional jail expansion) as a carpenter. Just wondering what to expect, such as specialty tools i may need (will be doing layout first day). I was also told that I would be tested by the superintendent, what should i expect here.

Luke

It is hard to generalize, but be prepared to be inundated with entirely new measurements. Metal studs vs. wood stud sizes, commercial doors and frames vs. pre-hung residential doors, fire rated drywall and rated wall system thicknesses, etc. It sounds like an easy transition but there definitely will be a learning curve. The good news is the prints are usually the gospel. There is less variation from the prints, you won't have a homeowner showing up and not liking the size of the master closet...Snips are definitely a must in commercial construction. Not to be negative, but there also is a little more of subcontractors not necessarily looking out for the next guy that follows him. If you've worked in residential for a while, you probably work with many of the same subs and you've developed a relationship and everyone knows how everyone else likes things to be done. In commercial, you'll work with many more subs and some for only that one particular job so there is less of a teamwork attitude. Good luck with it, some people really like the systems involved with commercial and some prefer the end results of the residential work. Congratulations on landing a job in a new location, that's success in its own right.

knucklehead

Good Luck. You should be fine with your experience. Call me if you need any more help

atnas

Keep an eye on your tools!!

Mostly if you work your ass off, know what you are doing, and clean up after yourself most supers will love you.

Meet with the super and ask what is expected.

Good luck in your new job. Commercial work can be rewarding!

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Klaus Finish Carpentry

buildpinnacle

Although the code requirements are different, they are not completely night and day on what you appear to be doing as they would be for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing etc. Go with the plans and you'll be fine. If you're a journeyman carpenter or better you won't have any problems adjusting.

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