Adam Leeper’s Post

We are to fast to blame others for issues that we have the capability to fix. For example I've heard many different organizations blame school counselors for not pushing kids who would thrive in the trades, to construction. "All they do is push college" they say. But in reality whose fault is that? School Counselors push what they know. When they don't push kids into construction, it's not because they don't like the industry and have it out for us. For the most part this comes down to a lack of knowledge of the construction trades. How can you sell what you don't know? So we can continue to point fingers and hope things will change. But hope only gets you so far. As representatives of construction we need to educate the schools and the counselors ourselves. We can take control of our own future and change the narrative to better service our industry and our kids.

I thought I was doing the same thing as everyone else, but it turns out that I am the odd one out. This weekend I attended a professional development event for my current role. One of the breakout sessions had us break into our subject area. I joined the Agricultural Mechanics group for their discussion. Most of the teachers in this group teach welding and I am one of the few that focuses on wood, or construction. In this I knew I was the odd one out. What I didn’t expect to hear was how surprised everyone was when I mentioned how I set my program up for success. We were having a discussion around funding for projects and how different programs get funding for building things. I shared with the group that I got my school district to invest the initial funds for us to build a tiny house and got them to agree that when it sold, a separate account would be created for us to maintain that funding within the construction program. They did. We built and sold our first house for around $40,000. Put that money into our own account. This year we are finishing up two tiny houses and I estimate a revenue of $80,000. Not to mention the 13 sheds my other classes are building  that will sell for around $800 a piece. We don’t make a profit on anything. In fact, most items sell for less than the cost of materials. This system allows us to keep building should funding be decreased. Has something like this happened to you before? Let me know in the comments below

📐📏Here's my Rant on the Value of Proactive Measures and the State of Skilled Trades🛠⚒️🔨 ●As spring blooms, we find ourselves at the cusp of our busiest season in the construction industry. The sun shines brighter, and opportunities abound in Central Ohio. Yet, amidst this vibrancy, there lies a critical lesson: proactivity. ●Fair pay for skilled trades isn't charity; it's justice. It's a commitment to honor their legacy and empower the next generation of builders. So, as spring unfolds, let's sow seeds of change. Let's build not only structures but also a fairer, more compassionate industry. ●Now, let's talk about the unsung heroes—the skilled tradespeople. They wield hammers, weld metals, and lay foundations. Their craftsmanship shapes our world—literally. Think about it, a few months of their labor result in buildings that stand for decades, perhaps centuries. These structures house our dreams, echo our laughter, and witness generations pass. ●But here's the paradox, our compensation often falls short. While the buildings endure, their wages remain finite. It's liken to creating a masterpiece and receiving a mere sketch's worth in return. The math doesn't add up. ●So, let's advocate for change. Let's recognize the value of skilled trades. When we pay them fairly, we invest not only in their livelihoods but also in the resilience of our communities. These tradesmen build bridges, schools, hospitals—the very fabric of our society. Their work isn't transactional; it's an investment in our collective future. ●Next time you walk into a building, pause. Appreciate the craftsmanship—the sweat, the precision, the dedication. Behind those walls are stories of resilience, of hands that shaped something lasting. Let's ensure those hands are rewarded justly. END OF RANT....lol #Train #Educate #CraftsmanshipMatters #SkilledTrades #LOISSOFTWARE #ProactiveLeadership

They don't make 'em like they used to You know, back in my grandfather's day, construction was a whole different ballgame. These were hardened tradesmen who quite literally built cities with their bare hands. No fancy machines, no shortcut methods. Just good old-fashioned hard labor. When they laid a brick or poured some concrete, you knew that thing wasn't going anywhere for the next thousand years! Nowadays, it seems like everyone wants things done fast and cheaply. Cutting corners has become the norm rather than the exception. But not for this old-school contractor! I was raised to do things the right way, even if it takes a little longer… … just like Grandpa did. See, my grandfather was a mason foreman on the Empire State Building construction site. Yeah… a pretty cool claim to fame! There have been times I was tempted to “modernize” my business by replacing humans with machines. But every morning I pass that Empire State Building on my way to the office… … I remember those guys standing above the entire city on cold winter mornings constructing one of the greatest buildings on earth… … by hand! Sure, some clients grumble about the extra cost or extended timeline. Call me old-fashioned, but I have too much pride in my work to accept anything less than perfection. Even if it means bucking a few industry trends along the way.

Roofing is a mission, not just a trade. Charles speaks with such conviction about how roofing isn't just about putting materials on top of a building—it’s about keeping families safe and dry, offering protection and security. There’s such an incredible purpose behind what we do. Roofing is a noble trade, and we often forget just how rewarding and meaningful it is. We don’t just build structures; we provide shelter, we create a space where families can feel secure. Charles reminded me of this in our conversation, and it’s something we all need to bottle up and carry with us in everything we do. To the young people out there, this isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. It’s a way to make a real difference in people’s lives. Every roof we build is a testament to our skills, our commitment, and our dedication to creating safe spaces. There’s so much purpose in what we do, and if you’re looking for a career that combines craftsmanship with a sense of fulfillment, roofing offers exactly that. Let’s take pride in the work we do because it’s about much more than just the materials—it’s about the lives we impact. National Roofing Contractors Association Roofing Alliance Western States RCA RoofersCoffeeShop® National Roofing Partners #RoofingContractor #CommercialRoofing #RoofingTalent #RoofingCareers

Big Roofing & Construction career mistakes you’re making: 1. Ignoring the impact of Florida's weather on roofing materials 2. Underestimating the long-term value of quality roofing 3. Choosing contractors based solely on price. What other mistakes have you seen friends & family make? Explore our roofing solutions at ajwellsroofing.com 🌟 #RoofingTips #JacksonvilleFL

For any construction or demolition of buildings we need a permit that seems to be under the responsibility of the building owner. But it seems also that certain Builders licensed under the "New Home Construction Licensing Act" of 2017, can also apply for a permit. https://lnkd.in/gxERnXZU But you need to pass the exams to get a BCIN. It seems all builders and designers must be insured to be able to design, construct or give opinion - besides being licensed. You can have your permit revoked, especially if 6 months have passed and operations have not even commenced. All changes applied to your original submission must be updated and approved by the CBO. Change of use of property must also be approved by the CBO.

When home or business owners invest their hard-earned money into purchasing property along with a home or office building or decide to have it renovated, they expect those that they hire to employ the best practices, including adhering to current Montana building codes, using the best quality materials that they’ve requested, and having the most competent contractors perform the work. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, and adverse outcomes, such as mold and mildew issues, electrical fires, foundation concerns, and more, occur. And, as you’re aware, if you’ve had to personally deal with one of these issues, addressing construction defects in Montana is often time-intensive and costly. If you need to rebuild from the ground up, it’s even more so. Our legal team at Western Justice Associates, PLLC holds negligent builders and contractors accountable for their wrongdoing, and we want to help you, too. Let’s sit down and discuss the issues you’re facing with your construction crew, and we’ll go over rights and how we might be able to help. That initial case review meeting comes at no cost to you. https://lnkd.in/gYd2CR2p

PSA: No one is coming to help you. No one is coming to help our industry either. Fuhgeddaboudit! So, if you really want change for yourself and the construction industry, you'll need to embrace the fact that you need to go at this alone.....for the time being (stick with me). The uncertainty may be a lot to take in, but don't be afraid. You are NOT alone. There are others with you. Some have even been here a while, and will undoubtedly be happy to welcome you to the community. Construction is hard. It's dirty. And right now, the industry is in bad shape. I won't sugar coat it. Not like many others do. Especially those in decision making positions. More specifically, our 3 levels of governments as well as those who hold high positions within our industry. But! Once they realize the sh*t they're in, guess who's help they'll need in order to dig themselves out of it? US! Me and you. You've heard me speak on this topic countless of times. Heck, it may even be at nauseam for some. I got bad news for those, including those who're not helping our situation. I am not going anywhere. So get comfortable with seeing and hearing from me. Soon, it will all make sense. My name is Gianluca, and I am Head Curator for the Constructors Guild™. A community for those who build them™. We are growing, and we seek to meet more like minded individuals that want best for themselves as well as our industry. The rare and valuable assets our industry possesses yet does not appreciate, value or take care of. We're bringing a change to that, but it's going to take some hard work. But you see, this time it will be different because we'll be doing so TOGETHER. If you resonate with this - any and all of it. DM me or visit our site (noted in comments below 👇) #community #construction #constructionindustry #constructorsguild

Wondering how the MAC process works? Before a shovel is lifted or a nail is hammered, we begin with a pre-construction plan to identify what you want, what you need, and what we'll do to make it happen. Nothing happens without a plan, which is the foundation of every project we take on. https://lnkd.in/gkWUPAP