Most remodeling contractors will agree that
when hiring a good lead carpenter, technical
skills are just the baseline requirement. We construction
company owners expect lead carpenters
to understand the plans and specs, take off
and order materials, manage the job site, oversee
our production crews and subs, and communicate
intelligently and responsibly with clients. In
short, we expect them to leap sawhorses in a single
bound — like Clark Kent with an air nailer.
Unfortunately, we rarely let our lead carpenters
know that we have these expectations, and
we don't train them for the job. We simply
assume they understand their responsibilities,
and that they already have the skills they need
or can pick them