Hot take: Stopping my morning string line check cost me a whole section

For years, I always laid out my string line first thing at every job to double check the run was straight. Last month, I got lazy and skipped it to save time, figuring my measurements were good. Big mistake. We put up a 40-foot vinyl section before I saw the slight curve, and the client made us redo it all. Now I'm debating with myself: some guys say skipping small steps like that is how you stay fast and competitive, but others argue that basics like the string line prevent expensive redos. I lost a day's profit on that one job, but I also hate adding extra minutes to every setup. Has anyone else cut a corner to speed up and had it backfire, or is it better to just trust your eye and move quick?

3 comments

3 Comments

thea51527d ago

Staying fast and competitive is how you go broke. Speed means nothing if the work is wrong. That slight curve cost you a whole day's profit, that's proof. Rushing through basics just sets you up for a bigger mess later. A few minutes with the string line saves hours of tear down.

theabennett11d ago

My buddy's crew skipped checking the foundation level to save an hour. They laid a whole course of block before anyone noticed the dip. Had to pull it all up, lost the whole afternoon plus material. Boss was furious. That one shortcut cost them two days fixing it.

janahenderson27d ago

Disagree, being fast and being careful aren't opposites. A good crew gets both right.