Contributions from Tim Faller

Tim Faller owns Field Training Services in Westerly, R.I., a firm committed to training production staff in good jobsite management, helping companies develop training programs for their field staff, and assisting companies with their production systems.

  • Beat the Burnout

    The pressure of pleasing homeowners and bosses, of meeting deadlines, delivering products, and creating works of art can take a dangerous toll on almost anyone's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are some tips for avoiding burnout:

  • Client Communications

    The success of any remodeling project may hinge on how well the field crew communicates with clients. To minimize misunderstandings, make these practices and methods of communicating part of your routine.

  • Completing the punch list

    What makes a great client grumpy? The never-ending punch list. Remodelers tend to think that the problem is the client who keeps adding to the list. I believe the problem is usually us. By never really completing the punch list, remodelers create distrust.

  • Keeping the jobsite clean

    Everyone is responsible for customer service, but your field staff spends the most time in the client's home. What's the number-one issue? Jobsite cleanliness.

  • Starting off right with a pre-construction conference

  • Lead carpenter needs time to plan job

    After the transfer of information from sales to production, the lead carpenter should spend time setting up the job, both in his mind and on paper.

  • Sharing with the lead carpenter

    If you use the lead carpenter system, you need to share information with your lead carpenters. Unfortunately, the salesperson or owner doesn't usually give the lead enough time to review project information before actual construction begins.

  • Lead carpenter needs documentation

    Complete documentation is essential for the success of the lead carpenter system.

  • Pros and cons of the lead carpenter system

    As a company grows, the owner often chooses to cut back on field management. One alternative to managing the field operation is the lead carpenter system. The owner should consider the following positive and negative points when evaluating this system. Owners can avoid the negatives with good...

  • Keeping an eye on building codes

    A familiar scenario is repeated all over the country: An inspector arrives on the job and even though a detail was included in the permit set of plans, and you were not informed by the inspection office, your job fails because of a code change. Here are some tips to help avoid surprises like this.