Helpers from the family, friends, and acquaintances circle

  • Erstellt am 2016-11-15 15:44:34

Jochen104

2016-11-15 15:44:34
  • #1
Hello everyone,

I would like to look at the topic of help from family, friends, and acquaintances from a different perspective today.

A good friend and teammate from our football team recently bought a house and is now renovating most of it himself. Despite having an office job, I can claim to be a relatively good craftsman, so I have already offered him my help several times.

Recently, he accepted my offer and asked me and another friend to help with the drywall. It is only a matter of installing drywall panels in the newly built dormers in two rooms and preparing them for wallpapering.

Here is the process:

    [*]Saturday 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm: On Saturday, we were there for the first time. Unfortunately, the carpenters did not put much effort into the work, so we first had to build a complete substructure. Everything took a little longer because we did not have all the necessary tools together and the delicious refreshments took up a lot of time.
    [*]Sunday: Football
    [*]Monday 5:15 pm - 8:00 pm: First, we went to the local building materials dealer and got the necessary materials. Afterwards, we managed to finish one side wall.
    [*]Tuesday: It’s not worth starting between finishing work and football practice. Besides, my wife wants to see me sometimes too
    [*]Wednesday: Unfortunately, I am away on business until late at night.
    [*]Thursday: We will probably finish the other side wall and the front wall.
    [*]Friday: It’s not worth starting between finishing work and football practice. Besides...
    [*]Saturday: In the morning, we hopefully finish the ceiling and can putty for the first time. If it’s dry, I will probably have to cancel and go woodcutting with my father (which I promised some time ago). In the afternoon, football and a birthday are on the schedule.
    [*]Sunday: Rest day ... my wife is happy
    [*]Monday: Planned is sanding and another round of puttying (if the work from Saturday does not have to be caught up on).
    [*]...


After two weeks of work, only one room will be finished.

Conclusion / Self-reflection:
I have offered my help several times and am happy when I can assist. Still, as a helper, I don’t drop everything, I have hobbies and family, and I also work a job in between. Therefore, I cannot always help and – even though I am a good craftsman – I need significantly longer than a professional, who would probably have been done with puttying and sanding in the rooms within three days.

What I want to say with this:
Don’t overestimate the help from family, friends, and acquaintances. It goes significantly slower after work even if professionals are at work. Moreover, the helpers won’t do it forever.

I hope my contribution helps one or the other to better assess the topic.
 

Bauexperte

2016-11-15 15:48:28
  • #2
Hello Jochen,

I have been hoping for such a contribution firsthand for a long time. Nobody believes me anyway; you surely do! Thanks for that!

Rhenish greetings
 

Knallkörper

2016-11-15 16:46:47
  • #3
Of course, you could also have met one evening to define the tools and materials still needed. Then you would have taken a day off and half/a whole Saturday for it, and done. Either properly or not at all. Where I agree: you don't need after-work helpers.
 

HilfeHilfe

2016-11-16 15:20:01
  • #4


Sorry, I’m not sacrificing a day of vacation for a friend.. everyone may see it differently

As a family person, at least my vacation belongs to my family & children
 

andimann

2016-11-16 16:51:18
  • #5
What Jochen104 describes should really be taken seriously. If you try to do the personal work alongside the job, it takes forever and a day. And friends will only be willing to sacrifice their vacation to a limited extent.

And even if you yourself take full vacation and work diligently, you will probably need twice as many man-days as the professionals. It would be sad if they weren't faster...

Best regards,
Andreas
 

HilfeHilfe

2016-11-17 07:24:05
  • #6
that is penny-wise and pound-foolish. You can call on your own labor for the exterior, not when it is possible to move in. We have a similar case in our circle of friends, so Jochen can only agree. There is one 'difference, the builder is in the hospital, his family is raising the house...
 

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