If you tech me how to build it, they will come...

April 5, 2007 10:19 AM

I need suggestions on ways to beef up my knowledge of construction/the construction industry without going back to college and getting a CE degree? More after the jump.

Basically I lacked any real focus in college and settled on a fluffy IR degree (after two painful years as a Mech Engineering student). However now I've decided to focus on a career in construction, for several reasons, but mostly because I'd like to run my own construction company someday. Going back to school to get an engineering degree at this point really isn't in the cards.
I recently started a job as an Assistant Project Manager at a large, well-respected local general contractor firm. The job is going great so far, but I find my lack of knowledge about even the most basic principles of construction is an issue. I'm planning on taking some courses at the local community college, but I'm looking for other suggestions for how to bring myself up to speed on stuff like terminology and general principles and practices, etc. Can you guys suggest any books/websites/other ideas that you think would help me accomplish this? My company would probably be willing to foot the bill for some decent training courses (online or otherwise). I realize that "just doing it" is definitely the best way to learn, but since I probably won't have time to go pound nails and lay tile, I'm hoping that I can still help myself out by spending time reading/studying.
If it makes any difference, the company I work for specializes in commercial and health care construction, but we also do large residential projects and some remodeling/renovation.
Thanks for your help.

posted by uva_nupe to education (9 comments total)

D'oh...of course I meant, teach me how to build it...first teach me how to spell.
posted by uva_nupe at 10:21 AM on April 5, 2007

Well , for residential the Journal of Light Construction and Fine Homebuilding (they have some of the best written books in the industry for amateurs AND pros) are definitely excellent resources.

Hanging around the Breaktime Forum has taught me so much, I can't even begin to thank those guys enough.
posted by jeanmari at 10:50 AM on April 5, 2007 [1 favorite]

Habitat for Humanity. Devote enough time that you'll actually be doing stuff rather than purely a peon. I know you say you don't have a ton of time, but can you give up 1-3 Saturdays a month for a while?

Alternatively, there are some book written for/by Habitat workers that teach a lot. I think one is called something like, "How to Build a House." They're basic, understandable, and actually decently written.
posted by JMOZ at 10:51 AM on April 5, 2007

I haven't watched it in many years but back in the day you could expect to hear a lot of basic facts and whys while watching This Old House. I remember an episode discussing pre-fab joists and a tour of a factory, followed by seeing them installed on the project house.

It may not be too "meaty" every time, but if you're trying to do something in your leisure time that you'll stick to it might be a good way to supplement your learning. You'll also see a lot of video of things in various stages which a book can really only do with a picture or two. Netflix has "Ask This Old House" (which claims to be 14 hours of episodes on 4 discs), Amazon has multiple used listings of it for $12.
posted by phearlez at 11:11 AM on April 5, 2007

Honestly, I think you have a wonderful resource at your workplace. I know contractors' offices are insane but sitting in on as many meetings as you can with your employer, visiting as many sites as they let you, and paging through as many sets of drawings with subcontractors as you can will help a lot.

Give it time and some of the fog will lift, but please please ask a lot of questions. When I'm training people I often assume they know the difference between a 2 hour and standard wall, the cost drivers for museum construction, how to read a soils report - when they don't I love to try to make it clear. Nobody minds sharing their knowledge. Look at the standard details in the brochures for Armstrong ceilings or whatever and ask questions of your supervisor or subcontractors about them. When bids cross your desk talk to the subs about why they exclude the items on their list of exclusions, what in particular is tricky within their scope for a given job, what is standard. Often subs' estimators love to talk, and so do suppliers. Ask the PM you're working with if the job is on schedule and why/why not. If you guys do reno work go to the walkthroughs with the demo estimators and watch what they're looking for; it's often less daunting too to go through the dwgs for those jobs, with specific details and descriptions applying to smaller areas.

Most areas have construction associations with young professional groups, talks and seminars, networking evenings. Sounds like this will be your career so they might be worth looking into. Go to trade shows when they come to town and ask questions of the exhibitors.

Get a decent construction dictionary. There are any number of textbooks - Seeley is a standard one at a lot of college libraries. The Means estimating handbook has good info and details (their estimating tips are here). Tinkering around in your own home is often useful. Your office probably has access to magazines like ENR and perhaps more specialized ones about healthcare design which might be worth a look, although it may seem like greek for a while.

Longer term, becoming a LEED approved professional is really marketable and hot right now. If your employer has all the manuals etc, it might be worth looking into. The USGBC runs training workshops, both general and for contractors, too. M&E stuff is also always a good knowledge to have. That's where I think you'll want the courses and textbooks for sure. A good basis in M&E will distinguish you from a lot of your peers and help going forward.

Healthcare construction is tricky for a lot of reasons, and a good start in those sort of jobs will help when it comes to "easier" buildings. Good luck and please email if I can help further.
posted by jamesonandwater at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2007

Oh and if you can get your hands on any copies of this guy's TV shows or books, they are very entertaining as well as educationsl.
posted by jamesonandwater at 11:24 AM on April 5, 2007

Building Construction Illustrated

I'm a civil engineer, but this was a recommended text for an architecture class I took in college. Great book.
posted by electroboy at 12:25 PM on April 5, 2007

I strongly second Francis Ching's Building Construction Illustrated for a good overview of basic technology and techniques.

I'm an architect, and I've found the best (and most up-to-date) construction resource is usually a combination of Sweets catalogs and product manufacturer web sites. For instance, if you have a question about drywall, look up "gypsum board" in Sweets (I prefer the print catalog). From there you'll find the major players in the industry, and also get a feel about which manufacturer has the most comprehensive and helpful information. Everything you need to know.

Look up the manufacturer on the web. Most manufacturers these days realize the value of helpful information and education.
posted by tfmm at 1:03 PM on April 5, 2007

Thanks for all the great suggestions...I just ordered a couple books and am planning on following up on some of the other great ideas.
posted by uva_nupe at 6:19 AM on April 6, 2007