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

Friday, July 25, 2008

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

Great stuff Ed.

I encourage everyone to give details from their personal experiences
and from their research.

What methods do each of us use to Do the Do's?

What methods do each of us use to Avoid the Don'ts??

Don't be shy about adding to Ed's list if you think of something
worth adding.

--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Edward Conley" <c_edward@...>
wrote:
>
> 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.
>