I love the construction industry, and I truly believe that 99% of the folks involved in this field are genuinely honest and want to do a quality job.  But, I am constantly amazed at the quality issues that arise on construction projects.  Whether it be commercial, civil or residential, from the foundation to the roof, the construction industry in the United States, suffers from a big ole case of ignorance, or could it be laziness?  I surely hope that whatever it is we can correct it.

Inspections, let’s face it. It can be a daunting task.  A company is asking you to instantly become an expert and inspect someone’s work.  Wow, no pressure there.  What are your options?  Go back to school and get your engineering degree in an evening?  Have the company hire an engineer to inspect the work… thus eliminating your position.  Don’t inspect the work and then get fired for negligence.  Or go out to the project site and pretend you know what you are doing (Which will also get you fired the first time something important is missed showing you to be a great big liar)……what to do?

Let’s paint a picture…You are in the field, let’s say a superintendent, project engineer or a quality control manger and you are saddled with a brow ridged, knuckled dragging, product of incest subcontractor who knows more about “noodeling” than about his chosen trade.  They flaunt direction, plans and specifications  and even their submittals saying, “Been doin this pert near 10 years.  Never seen this used before.  Heck... I just gonna do it the way I always done it.”  You do your best to direct them.  You get tired of the lip service and they get tired of your constant nagging so tensions grow and numerous shouting matches occur.