As a company grows, the owner often chooses to cut back on field management. One alternative to managing the field operation is the lead carpenter system. The owner should consider the following positive and negative points when evaluating this system. Owners can avoid the negatives with good training and discipline.
Pros
The system makes for faster decision making, direct client access, and accurate subcontractor communication.
The owner has more time to manage the business and sell more work.
Clients will be more comfortable having subs and other mechanics in their house.
Leads are responsible for all work so they have better control over the end product.
Cons
Leads could be drawn into a situation where they must choose between the company and the client.
Many business owners prefer being in total control of their projects.
Owners could lose money due to mistakes by a lead carpenter or field crew.
Tim Faller, known as the “Master of Production” at Remodelers Advantage, recently retired from his post as senior consultant where, for 17 years, he worked with hundreds of remodeling companies, large and small, to help improve profits by creating smooth, efficient production systems. Prior to his work with Remodelers Advantage, he worked in the field for 25 years as a production manager, project manager, and lead carpenter. He is the author of the The Lead Carpenter Handbook and Dear Remodeler.
