Papercreters: [papercreters] Ed's Do's and Don'ts

Friday, July 25, 2008

[papercreters] Ed's Do's and Don'ts

Hey guys,
here is my first contribution to the soon to come manual for papercreters.
Let me know if it needs any honing.
Ed

Some Papercrete do's and don'ts

Do:
1. Thoroughly research the methods, materials, techniques , successes and failures of the
products you plan to use.
2. Make sure you are adequately funded before embarking on your project.
3.Have an architect review your plans if possible
4. Check references of all subcontractors you are considering. Look at their completed
projects and talk to their customers. See if their buildings have lasted over a period of
years. Ask the homeowners about problems they encountered.
5. Have written agreements including costs and timelines for completion,payment
schedules and penalties for non completion.
6. Hire a competent project manager if at all possible so your life isn't totally consumed
with being on site at all times. If you can't afford one, be prepared to spend all your time
supervising.
7.Keep accurate records of expenditures and resources including inventory of materials
and tools. Document all work with pictures and or video as well as a diary of daily work
completed.
8. Make sure materials are quality materials based on standardized requirements , are
consistent and have been tested and proven.(Even adobe blocks are required to be tested)
don't rely on claims made by suppliers based on their personal opinions.
9. Purchase builders insurance.(It is inexpensive and provides a sense of security)
10. Have all your tools marked with your name and color coded with paint and lock them
up when not being used.
11. Have fun and enjoy being a pioneer.

Don't
1. Fall for false hype based on things posted on the internet. Just because someone wrote
a book or produced a video doesn't mean diddly #@%t.
Some "experts" are self proclaimed prophets and have refused the guidance and
suggestions of others and base their methods on theory and speculation.
2. Use unproven materials or techniques based on hearsay or theoretic blabber unless you
want to be part of their test bed. Uniform blocks DO matter.
3. Cave in to excuses or bargaining on your requirements. Talk to others and be informed.
4. Hire transients. some can be trusted and are good workers, but overall they usually are
the ones that steal, get drunk or do drugs on the job and can disappear at the drop of the
hat. Use your own discretion, but be very wary.
5. Be too kind. Remember YOU are the boss, not the buddy of the labor force. Not to say
you have to be a jerk, but remain as neutral as possible.
6. Buy off on finger pointing. Make workers admit their mistakes and hold them
accountable when ever possible.
7. Allow "flexible" working times and days unless it is the only way to manage things.
8. Pay anyone up front for anything other than materials and no more than a 50% deposit.
9.Pay daily or on Fridays. If you want workers to show up, pay them on Monday.
10. Assume that anyone will do what they say they are going to. Double check everything
they do and hold them to their agreements.
11. Allow anyone to "borrow" any of your tools.
12.Hire anyone who doesn't have at least most of their own tools
13. Think that cheap labor is a bargain. Even well paid workers can let you down.
14. Let bankers push you around. You are paying big bucks for interest. Insist they be
flexible and supportive in the entire process.
15. Let your project become a monster. Give yourself some downtime, and try to get away
from it all sometimes and just see the big picture.