At Four Brothers, we believe that the journey is as important as the destination itself. If the process of obtaining your dream kitchen, bathroom or addition is so miserable that at the end of it all you scratch your head and say, Was that really worth it? – the answer is probably, no. At the very least, surely you wish you had worked with a better company.
One of the steps Four Brothers took early on to ensure that the construction phase of every job would be smooth and efficient was to implement the Lead Carpenter System. Pioneered by Tim Faller in the late 1990’s, this system has been a breath of fresh air to the remodeling industry. Before the Lead Carpenter System, most companies approached remodeling the same as new construction where a superintendent oversees multiple crews of trades’ people – masons, framing carpenters, drywall hangers, drywall finishers, trim carpenters painters etc. The roles in this structure are defined: the superintendent wears the white hat, holds the blueprints, makes decisions, communicates with clients and gives direction. The tradesmen on the other hand show up, punch the clock, work their eight hours and then head home. The work is typically repetitive, straightforward, and any questions are referred to the “Super.” Individual workers have no investment in the end product or end user. Once their scope is complete, they are off to the next house in the development.
The problem is that remodeling is as different from new construction as brain surgery is from physical therapy. We’ll borrow loosely from Tim’s handbook for the next few paragraphs:
“In remodeling, many conditions exist that require the degree of supervision that a lead carpenter will offer. First, there are the difficulties of dealing with an existing (usually old) building. The floors are out of level and termites may have taken up residence. The walls are 5 ½” thick instead of 4 9/16”. It is essential that someone on-site has the knowledge to sort out how the new structure will tie into the existing and how the new and old finishes will blend. This kind of decision-making begins at the start of the job and lasts throughout the project. These decisions cannot be made in haste, at a drafting table or by a designer in the office. They must be made in the field by someone intimately involved and invested in the project.” Four Brothers’ Lead Carpenters are involved in each project from the planning phase onward, and are fully invested in the final outcome. They understand the impact each step in the production process will have on the finished product, so work accordingly.
“Another challenge specific to remodeling projects is accommodating the schedule and lifestyle of the homeowner. Obviously, owners are involved in new construction, but they are not living on the jobsite. For a remodeling project to proceed painlessly, the lead carpenter must be attuned to the homeowners needs at all times. For example, homeowners usually want to inspect progress every morning or in the evening when they return from work. Questions arise which must be answered quickly and intelligently. Frequently, layout or design decisions must be made in the field. Often there are pets in the home that need attention throughout the course of the day. The house must be kept secure from weather and intruders (a very real concern); both during and at the end of each day. Plus, living on a construction site is stressful! Home owners need encouragement, coaching and reassurance on a daily basis; services that cannot be provided from the office, or a supervisors truck.” Four Brothers’ Lead Carpenter will be the first man on site each morning, and the last person to leave every evening. Your security and comfort is their number one concern. Furthermore, they are always accessible via email, phone, or text if any questions or concerns arise.
“Yet another challenge is the need to carefully supervise trade partners. Even when following the most detailed plans, complications always arise when working in an older home. Reworking an old structure to meet current codes and standards often involves creative on-the-job problem solving, because even the best designers can’t see through walls and know what you will run into. Surprises are the norm.” Four Brothers’ Lead Carpenters have extensive knowledge of building codes, and great rapport with our tight-knit circle of trade partners. Our trade partners understand that the Lead Carpenter is in charge, and look to him for guidance.
“Add to all of this the continuous changes to the schedule, the need to complete some work out of sequence, and the need for decisions to be made quickly. Often the project is small enough, for example, that the plumber has allotted only half a day for his work. If a decision that affects the plumbing cannot be made quickly, the plumber may walk away and not be able to return for several days which will push back close-in inspections, which in turn pushes back other work scopes and ultimately, the project completion date. The calendar must be adjusted daily, and scheduling coordinated accordingly to be sure the project finishes on time and budget.” Four Brothers’ Lead Carpenters understand the importance of hitting calendar milestones and finishing every project on time. They structure their work days accordingly and stay late or start early as necessary.
Quite clearly, a true Lead Carpenter must possess a far-reaching combination of practical, managerial and interpersonal skills. While it has not been easy, Four Brothers has assembled an outstanding team of Lead Carpenters; all of whom have demonstrated the desire and ability to provide the highest level of service to our customers.
Leading up to and during the construction of your project, your Lead Carpenter (Lead) will perform all of the following duties:
Perhaps most importantly however, the Lead will be there to reassure you, and guide you through what can be turbulent times. He is the pilot who will pick up the microphone from time to time to let you know: “This is your captain speaking, you are in good hands, and everything will be okay.”