Our Blog: Home Building for Dummies

Who is the man…

When you get involved in a building project, there is one person that is really important. No, it is not the one that draws the pretty pictures and charge the big money. It is also not the one in the short pants with the Toyota ‘bakkie’. Well, he is also important, but he is not the MAN.

It is strange how many people building houses and financing houses under estimate the role of this professional and yes he is the one true professional when it comes to building. He or she (I have never come across a she) is required by law to be appointed for all building projects. OK, by now you should have guessed. It is the bank manager. NO, no just kidding. The MAN is the engineer.

He is the guy signing off on your foundations, slabs and roof, the stuff that really matters. It is amazing how many contractors and clients do not understand the importance of your engineers’ actually going to the site and actually doing the inspections. You will not believe how many engineers actually sign off on projects without ever being on the site. Scary, is it not? 

The actual cost of the engineers compared to the total project cost is negligible. So make sure you know who the engineer on your project is and that he actually does what he is paid for. Actually go to the site before he issues certificates.

When I started my business I was lucky enough to come across the brashest, obnoxious, arrogant and most wise ass that ever qualified as an engineer and he was an old bastard as well. He would nitpick and find fault with everything and swore at anyone, but I can tell you I learned more from this guy about this industry than anyone else. If anything went wrong or there was a problem, he would be the guy I would go to and he would have a solution. Through him I got an education and learned a quite a few new four letter words. On my site he was the MAN.

“A contractor, an engineer, and an architect were standing inside their recently completed building, looking out at the street. A VERY attractive woman walks by.
The contractor whistles.
The engineer says, “Did you see the legs on that woman?”
The architect says, “Did I miss something, I was admiring my reflection.”

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