Comments on: The Death of the Craftsman on the Evening of the Empire. http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/contractor-articles/the-death-of-the-craftsman-on-the-evening-of-the-empire.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:59:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mike http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/contractor-articles/the-death-of-the-craftsman-on-the-evening-of-the-empire.html#comment-81 Mike Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:58:59 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1026#comment-81 This is an excellent post. It gets at the essence of what we, as a society, risk losing due to business process efficiency...and assembly-line approach to construction. Yes, costs can be reduced and profits maximized but at what point in this squeeze-play do "real" expenses build and have we surpassed that point? I believe we stand to lose lasting value and national character. I happened to read the article during a weekend where I attended a local home show. During the show, while speaking with people from many trades I was heartened to hear their stories, take the firm hand shake, and witness the pride many of these artisans exuded. They represent the opportunity for our country to retain character...to avoid the cookie-cutter geography where the customer experience is the same no matter where you go. Dare I say a national treasure is at risk? This is an excellent post. It gets at the essence of what we, as a society, risk losing due to business process efficiency…and assembly-line approach to construction. Yes, costs can be reduced and profits maximized but at what point in this squeeze-play do “real” expenses build and have we surpassed that point? I believe we stand to lose lasting value and national character.

I happened to read the article during a weekend where I attended a local home show. During the show, while speaking with people from many trades I was heartened to hear their stories, take the firm hand shake, and witness the pride many of these artisans exuded. They represent the opportunity for our country to retain character…to avoid the cookie-cutter geography where the customer experience is the same no matter where you go.

Dare I say a national treasure is at risk?

]]> By: Silvertree http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/contractor-articles/the-death-of-the-craftsman-on-the-evening-of-the-empire.html#comment-80 Silvertree Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:54:48 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1026#comment-80 Tell us more about your book, maybe you would like us to review it? Paul Tell us more about your book, maybe you would like us to review it?
Paul

]]> By: Reed Stevens http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/contractor-articles/the-death-of-the-craftsman-on-the-evening-of-the-empire.html#comment-79 Reed Stevens Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:05:06 +0000 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/?p=1026#comment-79 So true, good craftsmen and women are worth the cost. My husband and I remodeled fixers and built a spec. He became skilled enough to layout and frame but it was slow. The pro builder next door had closed escrow on his property next door before my Jim could call the roofers. We covered our expenses but could not make a living as small-time invester-contrators. Later, as real estate agents, we saw how little the public knows or cares about quality workmanship. Even high-end buyers didn't know the difference between radiant in-floor heat and forced hot air. Very discouraging! I tell all in my new book, "Santa Fe Dreamhouse, Encounters in the Land of Enchantment". Adobe, plaster, flat roof.. the pain, the glory! So true, good craftsmen and women are worth the cost. My husband and I remodeled fixers and built a spec. He became skilled enough to layout and frame but it was slow. The pro builder next door had closed escrow on his property next door before my Jim could call the roofers.

We covered our expenses but could not make a living as small-time invester-contrators. Later, as real estate agents, we saw how little the public knows or cares about quality workmanship. Even high-end buyers didn’t know the difference between radiant in-floor heat and forced hot air.

Very discouraging!

I tell all in my new book, “Santa Fe Dreamhouse, Encounters in the Land of Enchantment”. Adobe, plaster, flat roof.. the pain, the glory!

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