Using a rehab as a learning experience / teaching tool

[Matthew Paul]

Ok , I have a 850 sq ft , 2/1 that needed a complete gut rehab ...........everything .  Now we are busy doing paying jobs during the week . So I talked with some friends and my subs and we agreed to use this house as a teaching tool . I have had my 2 boys and 3 other young men over doing all phases of the remodel . We started with the complete gut , showing what and what not to do .  Real grunt work , ripping out drywall , plumbing , windows , and electric . Showed them how to turn off breakers  , use a voltage tester , and cut wires safely . They were shown what happens when you hit a LIVE wire . ( a 15 amp up to a 30 amp )  . They were quite "shocked " at how it melted the cutters . 

They were there for the layout and shown the basic theory of nominal dimensions and how it affects layout . Then came the framing , all got hands on with measuring and using the chop saw . Then the fun started with the framing hammer and nails . Its not as easy as it looks . After 3 hours on 1 wall , it was time to break out the nail gun . With supervision they all got some practice . 

Now this would be a 1 month job for the company , its going to take 6 months or more on the weekends . BUT these guys are getting hands on real life experience they will use the rest of their life in one way or another . I am into the begining of month 2 .  Last weekend they were helpers on the HVAC installation , new heat pump and duct work .  Climbing thru the attic pulling flex duct to registers .  ( I should have waited till mid summer ) . This weekend my electrician  gave them a hell of an education , explaining  circuts , wire size , voltage drop in terms they could understand . They set boxes and pulled wire .  We set up a wall to practice wiring outlets , switches , and even had a small breaker panel to wire .  ( not live of course ) 

Heres the cool thing , we are adding another young guy tomorrow who wants to learn . These guys are between 14 and 17 .  I tell them  we have rules , a few are NO PHONES , do as I say , or another contractor says , no screwing around , safety is key .  We let them make mistakes and then make them figure out what they did wrong and fix it .  Yes there is some whining , and complaints , thats life .  One kid says he is hungry , I told him " You are hungry when I say you are hungry "    One guy wanted to know where the bathroom was ?   " Go out in the shed and sit on the bucket "  He thought we were kidding .  We were not . 

The best part is that they are asking questions , good ones at that . 

Next week they will learn the fine art of hanging and patching drywall , and the best part , carrying in 50 sheets and loading the house .  Plumbing is simple and we will leave a couple walls open for the rough in . Plumber is busy and wont be available for a while . 

Now this is costing me money since the house wont be rented for a while , but my trades are only charging me materials , they think its a great idea and want to get guys interested and teach them .  I got home today and my 2 were complaining they were tired .   Ha , Ha .  The other guys parents called and said their sons loved it and were also wiped out . 

Best way to learn is hands on .