Anyone in the construction industry here?

blueoval · 08-03-2007, 02:59 PM

Just wondering who here is in the construction industry?

Doesnt matter what background it is as long as its in building construction.
i.e. architectural, engineering, builder, estimator, surveyor etc.

I am an architectural drafter. Based in adelaide and am mainly involved with residential, low level commercial and some industrial projects.

Whats your background?

XR6TCraig · 08-03-2007, 04:01 PM

I am a plumber with a science degree (no really I kid you not) currently working in the mining industry!

GK351 · 08-03-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

I am a plumber with a science degree (no really I kid you not) currently working in the mining industry!

i am also a plumber/gasfitter (no science degree)
i was in Mackay a few months ago and drove to Moranbah i think everyone there works in a mine.

blueoval · 08-03-2007, 04:33 PM

Hi Craig. Plumbers are a hard breed to find in the current market. You'll be on mega $$$ I imagine.

XR6TCraig · 08-03-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Hi Craig. Plumbers are a hard breed to find in the current market. You'll be on mega $$$ I imagine.

Everyone working on a minesite is on good money (with one or two exceptions). Thats why I am doing the maint plumbing out there rather than something with the degree. Science pay is crap in this country unfortunately, that is unless you go all the way and become a Doctor. Having said that my Doc jokes that I probably earn more than him.

( I seriously doubt it though)

The great thing is that I work 7 days straight then get 5 days off. Just starting to set up my own business now so that I can work in town for a couple of days during my 5 day break. Then I should be able to rake in a bit more!

mad cow · 08-03-2007, 06:17 PM

im at the bottom end of the industry as im a concretor. i find it ironic that its the only trade with no formal qualification and its our work on which everyone else relies on to put there work onto.

miitch · 08-03-2007, 05:26 PM

3rd year Refrigeration Mechanic here. No good money yet haha

xt3valve · 08-03-2007, 05:32 PM

Im a formwork carpenter. Mainly working with wood. hehehe.

blueoval · 08-03-2007, 05:44 PM

good work. guys.

DoreSlamR · 08-03-2007, 06:31 PM

i've got a background in landscaping..and grano's aren't that low on the food chain, i reakon a trowelhand or similar would be around there.
The grano on our site is getting about $80/cubic metre and tools, bobcat and excavator with operators are included - wish i had his gig.

tabletennisman · 08-03-2007, 06:45 PM

I'm a residential drafter. My first job and been doing it for 6 weeks so far and loving it. (i'm 18)

protd · 08-03-2007, 06:56 PM

I'm a builder res/commercial been doing it for 15yrs now including my apprenticeship as a carpenter

eXi7w0unD · 08-03-2007, 07:48 PM

im a 2nd year apprentice painter, im curently workign on evolution in brisbane city, 42 storeys, the building at 15 storesy atm, 6 units per level less as u go higher. its run buy hutchinsons. i also worked on queen street plaza, brisbane square(20storeys), woolstore 4, and emporium on ann st(9storeys) the eba site and height allouance is fantastic! and in the city is a great perv at the chicks walking round

kenz · 08-03-2007, 07:51 PM

Im about to start my 4th year as a apprentice carpenter in a few weeks. We do high quality architectual residential houses. Im also about to be running my own job what a scary thought

XWildGT · 08-03-2007, 07:59 PM

i am a plasterer run my own business complete linings we do the lot suspended ceilings,steel frame walls (pations),bulkheads curved walls and ceilings etc both commercial and domestic

McobraR · 08-03-2007, 08:10 PM

Been working as an architectural draftsperson/student at a firm in sydney for a little over a week now while studying at uni (3rd year). Did a certificate IV/ and Diploma in Architectural technology at TAFE before getting into uni.

nugget378 · 08-03-2007, 07:57 PM

Plumber here,work mainly on unit and high rise office towers,as a subby,doing more mechanical/aircon lately..

Licensed for LPG as well..

blueoval · 08-03-2007, 08:39 PM

tabletennisman, McobraR - Finally some drafties here. You will find that jobs like ours are needed everywhere. Stick with it. There are huge avenues to take in this field.

Good to see some chippys and more plumbers here too. Havent seen any sparkys though.

McobraR · 08-03-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

tabletennisman, McobraR - Finally some drafties here. You will find that jobs like ours are needed everywhere. Stick with it. There are huge avenues to take in this field.

I Agree. I just gotta get as much experience as possible, cus most jobs here in Sydney want experience. Im just lucky I got this job tho, just hoping the firm has heaps of projects to do cus if they dont, i'l get made redundant which really aint a good thing!

tabletennisman · 08-03-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

tabletennisman, McobraR - Finally some drafties here. You will find that jobs like ours are needed everywhere. Stick with it. There are huge avenues to take in this field.

Yeh, it seems it's really taking off. Some businesses in Brisbane are already charging 6% of the contract value of the house! Which is around 10k for a set of house plans! Unbelievable. I'm loving it so far. Haven't had one day yet that has seemed to drag on and on

:

Mudzy · 08-03-2007, 08:52 PM

Dogman,Rigger now a Crane Driver ive been doing this type of work for last 24 years.

cuz · 08-03-2007, 08:57 PM

Carpenter here. I do a lot of architectural jobs (aka headache jobs!!! haha...), high end shop fit-outs, some commercial work and most others in between too. I'm one of those carpenters who does most of the work onsite for other trades, so that their jobs are easier. My apprenticeship was great because I worked for a small crew and we did it all from start to finish. It taught me alot and it also taught me that sometimes I can do a better job than other trades at their own jobs.
I love this industry... I can show my kids what I did at work 10 years ago... and its still there!!

kenz · 08-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horangi

Carpenter here. I do a lot of architectural jobs (aka headache jobs!!! haha...), high end shop fit-outs, some commercial work and most others in between too. I'm one of those carpenters who does most of the work onsite for other trades, so that their jobs are easier. My apprenticeship was great because I worked for a small crew and we did it all from start to finish. It taught me alot and it also taught me that sometimes I can do a better job than other trades at their own jobs.
I love this industry... I can show my kids what I did at work 10 years ago... and its still there!!

Thats exactly how my apprenticeship is, the same as what yours was and its great, I learn so much more than most guys

**Falcon Coupe** · 09-03-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuz351

Carpenter here. I do a lot of architectural jobs (aka headache jobs!!! haha...), high end shop fit-outs, some commercial work and most others in between too. I'm one of those carpenters who does most of the work onsite for other trades, so that their jobs are easier. My apprenticeship was great because I worked for a small crew and we did it all from start to finish. It taught me alot and it also taught me that sometimes I can do a better job than other trades at their own jobs.
I love this industry... I can show my kids what I did at work 10 years ago... and its still there!!

I'm also a carpenter (architectural jobs headaches ?) understatement of the year. I have just spent 4 days re hashing a roof due to an architect drawing rubbish that does not work, we have to do their job for them as well !

tabletennisman · 09-03-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I'm also a carpenter (architectural jobs headaches ?) understatement of the year. I have just spent 4 days re hashing a roof due to an architect drawing rubbish that does not work, we have to do their job for them as well !

I've found this very much over the past few weeks. I work at a builders, and it seems they hate drafters, architects and engineers, because they just do things that look pretty etc, but dont actually work.

**Falcon Coupe** · 09-03-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabletennisman

I've found this very much over the past few weeks. I work at a builders, and it seems they hate drafters, architects and engineers, because they just do things that look pretty etc, but dont actually work.

Quite true, i prefer drafts people myself, i use a lady who was taught a few tricks by an old Builder, her work is a pleasure to do.

cuz · 09-03-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabletennisman

I've found this very much over the past few weeks. I work at a builders, and it seems they hate drafters, architects and engineers, because they just do things that look pretty etc, but dont actually work.

Your right on there bro. Its not so much a case of hating them, its more a case of them not understanding how it can be made to work.
They used to have to do on-site work experience as part of their courses. That worked well as it allowed them an insight into that area of building.
Most of the time tho, its a case of them not being able to express their "vision" in term that we can understand and more importantly make!
I can't count the time that I've polietly asked an architect to bring his computer onto the site and get it to build it for me. If it works on his computer, it must work onsite..... YEAH RIGHT! Hahahahah :hihi:

blueoval · 08-03-2007, 10:05 PM

architectural jobs are only good IF they are designed to be buildable and designed right. In my experience I have seen so many fancy projects look good on paper, but the drafter or designer has no clue how he/she is supposed to make it work, and make it work cost effectively, and then they leave it to either the engineer to pick up the peices or for the guys on site to curse and swear at you.

My background consists of lightweight steel framed detailing, architectural drafting, architectural illustrations, on site labourer for my father who is a builder, gyprock fixing, professional painting, bricklaying, you name it, I've had a go, and one thing it taught me was to never take the design work for granted. For a job to work well and the construction to go smooth, its up to the designer to think of ways to make the project look appealing as well as fit all the financial and council criteria.

Just my 2c.

Walkinshaw · 09-03-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

architectural jobs are only good IF they are designed to be buildable and designed right.

Correct. Designers, Architects should have to spend 12months on construction sites before they are sent into cubicals to dream up "fantastic" ideas.

Oh, Im Civil/Structural Engineer for reasonable sized projects (40-400mil)

Creampuff · 08-03-2007, 10:08 PM

I am a champion Lego builder.............................just joking