Question For Contractors

TurboVtec93

I am just wondering if you guys would rather hire someone that has experience in hanging rock that isnt all that reliable or if you would rather hire someone that you need to train but will show up on time and put in work. I have experience with other aspects of carpentry but to be honest I am kind of sick of doing a bunch of different things. I have no real experience with hanging rock although I have done it for people I know. I would like your input on how abouts I should get into the trade. I think the only thing stopping me is feeling like an idiot joining a crew and not really know what I am doing or not moving fast enough for them. I really enjoyed hanging the few times I have and know there is pretty good money in it if youre fast enough. Any help is really apreciated. Thanks alot.

Alex

Drywall1

Alex, Someone who has a great work ethic is more of more value to me any day of the week. No bad habits and no prexisting expectations on day no.1. As for making money in drywall. Here it is. Learn to hang and tape, and if you want into the commercial world learn metal. You truely control your own destiny when you are knowledgeable on all the aspects of whatever you are trying to make money at. There's my 2 cents.

Nate

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Krieser Drywall
Krieser Insulation
www.KrieserDrywall.com

Mud Master

An experienced person who is unreliable is of no use to me. I would take someone eager to learn and willing to show up over someone who can hang 100 sheets a day but only shows up once a week.

Drywall1 is right that only you can control your destiny. I would not recommend getting in with a production crew to start however, as you will most likely get lost in the crowd and not have the hands on, 1 on 1 experience a helper needs to become a compotent hanger/finisher.

I would recommend getting in with a small crew of anywhere from 2-10 who can teach you the methods and proper installation and finishing techniques you need to be a good drywall mechanic. DO NOT join with a piece crew at first, or you won't make any money. Get with a company that pays hourly. If in 5 or 6 years you feel your fast enough to work by piece, than you can leave and go work that way..but hanging by piece when your just starting, you will starve.

Do not expect to pick up a drill and be able to run 40 or 50 sheets at the begining, and don't try to make it a race between you and the guy who has been hanging or finishing for 20 years. Go at your own pace and speed will come in time.

I do recommend to learn to hang and finish togeather, however if hanging is what you really want, I am sure there are companies that would be eager to hire you.

I also recommend to get in with a commercial interior fit-up company. A company who installs the metal framing,drywall,finishes drywall, and installs the acoustics/drop ceilings. The more broad your abilities, the more in demand you will be.

Also, don't expect to be cutting and hanging the first day, your gonna be feeding sheetrock to the guys on the scaffold, or luggin' buckets of mud to the more experienced guys for awhile. Take the time to watch what they do, and how they do it. You'll be suprised how much you can pick up by paying attention to how other guys work.

Do not feel like an idiot because your slower than the other guys, no one started hanging 80 sheets a day, or taping off 100 sheets a day. Everyone started somewhere and the company that will take the time to mold and train you in becoming a compotent mechanic is the company you wanna be with. The company that is gonna throw you to the dogs and let you go hang rock on your first day is not the company you wanna be with.

GOOD LUCK!

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TurboVtec93

Thank you both VERY much. Both responses were better then I expected to get. Believe me, I have no problem at all with lugging around material because I just love to work in general and if I get to keep busy and not sit behind a desk I am happy. I am still pretty young at 19 so I still have plenty of time to put in work and get good. Thanks again guys, I apreciate this alot.

Alex

taper71

I will agree with Drywall 1 and Mud Master. I had the pleasure of learning from one of the most anal, cranky, sob that ever walked the face of the earth.

I started when I was 17 with a small 3 man crew at $6.00 p hour. I could have worked for other nowhere places like restauraunts and such, but was told the potential to earn really good money and have a trade was worth the time it took to learn. It was 10 fold!

The first thing to remember is that it costs whomever is training you money. So having a good attitude,being reliable,and eager to learn is the best assets you can bring to start with.

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, buy and Bring your own hand tools. Ask what you will need to bring. It will show that you are almost serious about learning .

One other thing. If someone asks you to go get the board strecher- tell him to p off. I got nailed with this one lol

TurboVtec93

I gotta say, I do have a great work ethic and love to learn. I have my own tools (tape, screw guns, knife, T square, taping knives etc.) and I am just about always on time and the VERY few times im not im on my way and on the phone with you. I like the get respect by the guy im working for so I give reasons to give it to me. To be honest there was this one guy I was working for that I stood up because the way he did things was a joke. He talked me into doing some work for him again recently and once again I was fed up with him doing a ****ty job and having to give him tips on how to do things. I am STILL getting emails from him asking me to call him to work telling me how much he likes me and how good of a job I do. I must be doing something right so hopefully I can catch on to this trade like I have other aspects of construction. Thanks alot for the input guys.

Alex