Hello everyone,
I have a rather unusual request.
I am planning to build a house using timber frame construction within the next 5 years and want to do as much of the work myself as possible.
Therefore, I would like to offer my help as a construction assistant for current home builders in order to gain experience beforehand. I have some practical skills. My main focus is on the trades involved in interior finishing.
Do you know which platforms I could use to offer this?
I live in Leipzig.
Thank you.
I have a rather unusual request.
I am planning to build a house using timber frame construction within the next 5 years and want to do as much of the work myself as possible.
Therefore, I would like to offer my help as a construction assistant for current home builders in order to gain experience beforehand. I have some practical skills. My main focus is on the trades involved in interior finishing.
Do you know which platforms I could use to offer this?
I live in Leipzig.
Thank you.
M
MachsSelbst27 Aug 2024 12:03I’m wondering what exactly you expect to learn on-site. A laborer carries bricks, shovels sand and cement into the mixer, chisels out slots that the foreman has marked and the skilled worker has routed, carries roofing trays up to the roof, and so on.
You are unskilled, cheap labor, and that is how most companies will treat you most of the time.
And even if not... who’s to say you aren’t working under an incompetent craftsman personally? You can hardly judge whether you are being taught correctly or not.
So it’s best to watch tutorials on YouTube. The risk that a major home improvement store (like Hornbach / a master workshop) or experienced tradespeople with a decent following will mislead you is much lower than having things done completely wrong on a construction site—“Because it’s always been done that way, and nothing bad has happened or there was no damage reported.”
After that, it’s practice, practice, practice—and of course some skill and a bit of talent. If you don’t have that, you might as well give up.
You are unskilled, cheap labor, and that is how most companies will treat you most of the time.
And even if not... who’s to say you aren’t working under an incompetent craftsman personally? You can hardly judge whether you are being taught correctly or not.
So it’s best to watch tutorials on YouTube. The risk that a major home improvement store (like Hornbach / a master workshop) or experienced tradespeople with a decent following will mislead you is much lower than having things done completely wrong on a construction site—“Because it’s always been done that way, and nothing bad has happened or there was no damage reported.”
After that, it’s practice, practice, practice—and of course some skill and a bit of talent. If you don’t have that, you might as well give up.
I’ve been doing this for years, but not through strangers or online platforms—only within my circle of friends and acquaintances. I believe this is a good way to realistically assess what you can handle during your own house construction and to gain experience using power tools.
Is there anyone in your circle of acquaintances who is currently building or planning to build soon?
Is there anyone in your circle of acquaintances who is currently building or planning to build soon?
M
MachsSelbst28 Aug 2024 10:21It’s definitely good to help friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, many only show up once the 10m³ (13 cubic yards) of material has already been shoveled away and the grill is fired up...
But even then, there’s the problem:
Are your friends skilled tradespeople or have they had some hands-on experience? Then you become the “flooring helper.” You want to get the job done, and I wouldn’t want a buddy practicing on my floor how to install engineered hardwood. They can assist by handing me materials, fetching new packages, helping with cleanup and beer drinking later... marking, cutting, and laying – I’ll do those myself...
And if your acquaintances aren’t trained, they usually botch something that ends up driving you crazy, like the cordless drill spinning out in the screw head because the torque setting is still on “drill” mode. Or something similar...
But one thing’s true: even seemingly small tasks often involve a lot more effort than you initially think.
For someone who isn’t a road construction worker, “setting 8 or 9 curbstones” is usually a full day’s work. This helps you realistically assess your DIY tasks and set achievable goals and deadlines.
From a professional standpoint, the advice remains the same: read up, watch videos, and don’t hesitate to ask a tradesperson now and then during the build.
But even then, there’s the problem:
Are your friends skilled tradespeople or have they had some hands-on experience? Then you become the “flooring helper.” You want to get the job done, and I wouldn’t want a buddy practicing on my floor how to install engineered hardwood. They can assist by handing me materials, fetching new packages, helping with cleanup and beer drinking later... marking, cutting, and laying – I’ll do those myself...
And if your acquaintances aren’t trained, they usually botch something that ends up driving you crazy, like the cordless drill spinning out in the screw head because the torque setting is still on “drill” mode. Or something similar...
But one thing’s true: even seemingly small tasks often involve a lot more effort than you initially think.
For someone who isn’t a road construction worker, “setting 8 or 9 curbstones” is usually a full day’s work. This helps you realistically assess your DIY tasks and set achievable goals and deadlines.
From a professional standpoint, the advice remains the same: read up, watch videos, and don’t hesitate to ask a tradesperson now and then during the build.