Construction progress: Duplex with WU basement and developed attic

What I wonder now is whether the construction companies/tradespeople treat you that way because you are a woman?

That could very well be the case. I have had such awful experiences myself. Polite nodding, always acting like they know better, not answering questions. However, that changed immediately after I brought a penis-holder to the next meeting. Although he was not an expert but only assertively asked his (ahem, my) questions. Then it suddenly worked.

Penisträger

hahaha, I have to remember that. It is definitely the case that the gentlemen of creation do not accept the ladies as adequate conversation partners in the context of "construction site." On the other hand... of course, the times for loading and unloading are also part of the paid hours. Just as an example.

What I wonder now is whether the construction companies/tradesmen treat you that way because you are a woman? Gradually, I find no other explanation anymore.

Of course, I wondered that too, but I came to a different conclusion. I worked professionally in contract management and believe I can claim to be quite knowledgeable about contracts. I think many let themselves be taken advantage of with change orders here and extra costs there and pay up. Not me! If I have agreed on a "guaranteed fixed lump sum price," then I insist on it and I can be very persistent about it. Exceptions are, of course, genuine client wishes and changes. A cheap bait price and then attempts are made to make a lot of money with change orders, and since that didn't work, GU1 saw its chance slipping away. Now it is simply the case that I am on the construction site too much and see what they are doing. Most clients don't even notice that when they stop by on weekends.

It is definitely the case that the gentlemen of creation do not accept the ladies as adequate conversation partners in the context of a "construction site."

Well, I have to partially disagree. With the companies of the general contractor, I had no say because he was their contracting partner, not me. In hindsight, I can understand that, but at the moment it was difficult for me to understand why they couldn’t simply show me the contractually agreed materials; after all, I was sent to approve samples. They always said: we have no order for that. But if you choose something, we can talk about prices. How funny. Not. But with the companies I personally found and commissioned, the communication worked and the site manager was still there. A little anecdote that we still tell today: Only one company caused some difficulties. It was the cultural background; they only accept instructions from a woman in their life. Their mom. Shortly after my folding (they cut too expensively and set the gutter too deep; I asked them if they wanted to ruin me, etc.) and had to do everything again, they also called me “mom.” My husband and my father almost peed themselves laughing.

on the other hand... of course, the times for loading and unloading are included in the billable hours. Just as an example.

That may well be. But 5 men loading and assembling scaffolding every day for 5 days is a bit much. Maybe they should take a bigger vehicle. It was dismantled and driven away in a single morning. And our previous two scaffolds were assembled in 2x 0.5 working days. You can also overdo it.