LOOK Smarter on the Jobsite: 4 Items You Need
With a bonus item and a discount code, because why not?
First, an announcement! I’ve officially launched a new service I’m pretty excited about: Design/Strategy Consulting! Not ready for full architectural services? Need some help strategizing about construction, design, code, cost, and general decision making for a project? This unique service could be perfect for you!
As many of you know, I have an ongoing series called “Sound Smarter on the Jobsite” - well, it’s time to talk about how we *look* on jobsites as well!
When you visit a jobsite, if you’re not a contractor or sub, you’re going to stick out. That’s ok! Everyone knows you’re the architect or the owner or the engineer or whatever, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
That said, you can at least be prepared in some basic ways.
Depending on the size of your project and the sophistication of your GC, there may be additional PPE requirements to enter a jobsite - mandatory vests, safety glasses, hard hats, etc. So be sure to check with your project team.
And finally: while you may feel ownership of the project as the architect, and you may even own the project [as the owner], you do not “own” the jobsite. It is the GC’s domain, and you may not sneak on whenever you want. Jobsites are dangerous places, especially if you don’t spend every day on one. Always, always check with the GC before entering a jobsite.
Ok, now for the fun stuff!
Shoes
Shoes might be the most important jobsite attire. Don’t show up in shoes that make you hesitate to walk in mud, climb a ladder, or walk through dust. When construction is in later phases, you can get away with nicer shoes, but until you’re in finishes, wear appropriate shoes. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t be wearing certain shoes on a jobsite *ever* - heels, open toed shoes, Allbirds [kidding on that last one. Sort of.]
If you’re looking for real construction boots, I really like Thorogoods. I always go steel toe [old habits die hard], and that way I’m ready for any situation. These are also just…my workboots. I had a pair of Georgia Boots for 15 years, til they disintegrated…those were great too. There are many kinds of workboots, and people who wear them a lot tend to be pretty loyal to their brand!
Let’s be honest, though, I can’t wear these day to day when I’m mostly in the office, or meeting clients for design meetings. As a woman, it’s a huge challenge to find stuff that can work on the jobsite *and* with professional clothes. Some of my favorite options:
Xena Workwear - stylish steel toed boots
Harness or engineer boots - with a Vibram [not leather] sole
Measuring tape
As a building professional, you should never be without a measuring tape. Ever. I carry one like this, in my purse - my dad gave it to me when I first started working construction, nearly 20 years ago. Sometimes the guys laugh at me when I get out the mini tape, but then I just make a joke about “it’s not about size, it’s what you use it for” or something like that and it’s all good.
When someone comes to work for me, I give them one of these - and I expect them to carry it!
Laser measure/larger tape
So yes, while the little one is great in a pinch, and easy to carry, you should have something on hand that can measure greater than 10’, and that is a bit more robust. Just get a larger Stanley Power-Lock or FatMax and you’ll be fine. Don’t use one that you got as a freebie branded thing [that’s a toy], and make sure you know how to read it!
A laser measure is also very useful - just stick it against the wall, aim at the opposite wall, and press the button. You can get the smallest one, and pretty soon, you’ll be using it all the time! I’ve only ever used Bosch, and they’ve always been great.
Sketchbook
I’m old fashioned, what can I say…nothing beats a paper sketchbook on the jobsite! For one thing, you can jot notes down quickly, and it doesn’t look like you’re texting. Also, it is really handy to make quick sketches to work through an idea or to make your intention clearer. By the time someone else has gotten out a screen of some sort and waited for it to turn on, I’m already halfway done with my drawing.
Don’t get me wrong - I love technology and screens/computers/etc are vital to our work, but when it’s 30 degrees and the saws and nailers are going full tilt and there are 4 subs standing around you, you just need a piece of paper.
Some options:
My daily carry. They discontinued the larger one, so I have to make do with this one. I love gridded paper, and the pages are easy to tear out, and take a wide variety of inks.
These are great too. I’ve seen a lot of guys carry these in their shirt pocket or back pocket. They even make a waterproof version!
There you have it - 4 things that will make you *look* smarter on the jobsite! I’d like to make a longer post on my favorite clothes to wear [for women, this can be particularly complicated], and one on my favorite actual workwear, including PPE. So stay tuned!
Oh, and…
Bonus! Did you know I have a little online store? It’s a holdover from early Covid days, when things were shut down and I was having fun experimenting. I still have a few things available, including this nifty Site Visit Totebag. I designed it myself, and it’s pretty handy! Use code “NEWSLETTERTHANKS” for 10% off your order.
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