Masonry Magazine April 2006 Page. 22
Contractor
to Contractor
But training of masonry contractors is also a serious problem. We have too many unqualified masonry contractors bidding work they either don't understand or try to cut corners with sloppy workmanship.
Another problem that affects our workforce are the masonry contractors that pay cash to avoid payroll and insurance burdens, which put our industry employees at unnecessary risks and prevent them from obtaining car and home loans. If masons don't buy homes, their status in the community is reduced and young people choosing a career will not aspire to make masonry their chosen field.
These are the conditions here in Florida, California and Colorado-the three areas I've spent most of my working life. I can't speak for other areas of the country, but I suspect there's a little bit of that everywhere.
Masonry: Where do you think the masonry industry is going to be 10 years from now?
Jensen: I think the masonry industry is probably going to see a big turnaround because suppliers and masonry contractors are going to find themselves, at some point, needing to put much more money and emphasis on recruiting and training than they ever have in the past, just to keep up with the demand. As a result, I think we'll be in a better situation 10 years from now than we are today. I hope I'm right!
Masonry: What do you think will be the masonry industry's biggest competitor in 10 years?
Jensen: Tilt-up concrete. I moved here 10 years ago from California, where I contracted for a number of years. Through the 20-some years when I was in California, I saw the transition from block construction to tilt-up construction in all types of buildings. Ten years ago when I moved to Florida, it was still mostly block construction as opposed to tilt-up; now I'm seeing the transition take place here, just as it did in California. Where schools, office buildings, hospitals and warehouses used to be block five years ago, they're now mostly tilt-up concrete.
Masonry: What do you feel are the most critical issues you'll face with future government regulations?
Jensen: I think building codes should be examined and reexamined carefully each year by all parties, not to exclude masonry contractors. This goes back to what I mentioned before designing buildings for strictly the design purpose as opposed to designing in a modular fashion to accommodate masonry.
I also think that engineers really need to have better education in the design of masonry, primarily in the design of reinforced masonry. What we see are designs that include drastic differences from one engineer to another in terms of the quantity and size of reinforcing necessary for their structure. That would leave anybody to conclude that they're not on the same page. I think that many of the buildings that are being designed today are being designed by people who are
www.masoncontractors.org
WE BRIDGE THE GAP
BETWEEN PROFIT AND PRODUCTIVITY.
Are you.....
- Still looking for the safe, economical way to keep material moving?
- Still using manual labor to bring material to your work level?
- Ready for a change?
Models available with capacities from 200 to 2000 lbs.
Lift heights to 400 feet at speeds up to 80 fpm.
Scaffold, Monorail & I-Beam Mounting - Available on All Models
Get more productive... Call us today and see how a Beta Max Hoist System can lift your profits!
1-800-233-5112 www.betamaxhoist.com
CIRCLE 332 ON READER SERVICE CARD
20
Masonry
April 2006