Trades Skills Types

By Robert Robillard on Weekend warrior

 What Type Are You?

Written by Ralph Mroz

I don’t mean your personality type, or your sexual type, or your astrological type.  Someone you know probably cares about those things, but what I’m referring to is your trades skills type.

Trade Skill Type 1

Are you a homeowner with no background in the trades, who still tackles the occasional DIY project?  You’re a Type 1.

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Trade Skill Type 2

Maybe you’re someone who has some skill in one or more trades.  Maybe your family was in the trades; maybe you worked in them summers during school. You know your way around a couple or several of them, but you’re no expert.  You’re competent at a lot of home improvement projects, but you also know when to call in a pro.  You’re a Type 2.

Trade Skill Trade Skill 3

You might be a licensed tradesperson who works in a local shop that gets all kinds of gigs.  One day it’s residential remodeling, another day it’s an industrial job, yet another day you’re doing new home construction.  You’re a Type 3.

Trade Skill Type 4

Or maybe you’re a production professional who does the same job – the same specialty within a trade – every day. For example: a production framer within the carpentry trade. You’re a Type 4.

Trades Skills Types Grid

 

  Type 1

 

Unskilled DIYer

Type 2

 

Skilled DIYer

Type 3

 

General Pro

Type 4

 

Production Pro

 

Works on

 

Own property

 

Own property and friends’

 

Varied clients’ properties

 

Large developments

 

Trade background

 

Little to none

 

Some to significant

 

Professional

 

Professional

 

 

Jobs done

 

Many trades

 

Many trades

 

All aspects of a trade

 

One aspect of a trade

 

Project

Driver

 

Ease of task

Save money

 

Save money

Have fun

 

Versatility/Creativity

Problem-solving

 

Efficiency

 

Tool Collection

 

Small

 

Significant

 

 

Large

 

All needed for their specialty

 

Tool use

 

Some tools

Seldom used

 

Varied tools

Used often

 

Many tools

Used daily

 

Fewer tools Used continuously

 

Tool quality needed

 

Value

 

Value and good

 

Good

 

Best

(c) 2018 Ralph Mroz


Your Trades Skills Type

Your type – your trades skills type– determines the kinds of tools that best suit you.  We’re talking tools of all kinds here:  power tools, hand tools, tool boxes, and so on…even the work clothes that best suit you.

  •  A Type 1 unskilled homeowner doesn’t do a lot of DIY work.  Their main focus is on saving money and they can get by with value tools.
  • A Type 2 skilled DIYer does a fair amount of work on their home and helps out friends.  They are focused on saving money, but also enjoy the work. Depending on their mix of skills, they need a mix of value tools and good tools.
  • A Type 3 general pro does varied work within their trade, but they do it day in and day out.  They usually need good tools across the board.
  •  A Type 4 production pro uses a limited number of tools, but uses them continuously all day long.  They are very tough on their tools and they need the best.

Which Tool Matters?

Does a Type 1 or Type 2 homeowner need a top-of-the-line circular saw?  No, they don’t.  Depending on how much use they will give it, they are best served by inexpensive to moderately-priced models, and features are more important than high-duty-cycle reliability.  Conversely, should a Type 4 production pro save money by buying an inexpensive house-brand tool?  No – that’s false economy.  To them the few features they need and long-term reliability (and probably warranty and service) are the most important things to consider.

rob

Why Does This ALL Matter?

So why does this matter? Who cares what your type is?  Well, you do, and the manufacturers should.  If you believe all the hype, you’d never buy anything but the top-of-the-line tools…because, you know, they’re the best!  But in reality, if you know which segment of the tool-using market you’re in you can make better choices based on the use the tool will get. Manufacturers can probably make even better use of this type segmentation.  If you went into your local tool store and right there on the box it said “For Type 1 and Type 2” or “For Type 2 and Type 3”, the sales process – the process that matches customers to products – would be better and more efficient – for both the consumer and the manufacturer. Retailers can benefit, too.  If they have appropriate buckets into which to put you, they can more easily help you select the right tool.  Think how much smoother, and more satisfactory, if both sides of the sale used this terminology.  You’d walk into a tool store, tell the sales person, “I’m a Type X and I need a (tool)” — you’d both know what you were talking about.

Self-knowledge is a good thing for everyone.

About the Author ~ Ralph Mroz

The son of an electrician, Ralph grew up in the trades, literally with a screwdriver in his hand. He worked various construction jobs summers while in high school and college.  He absorbed enough from the tradesman that were part of and always around his family to renovate the five homes he and his wife have lived in, while always knowing when it was smart to hire a professional.  His favorite tool is the hammer; he really likes hammering nails although he realizes that hardly anyone does anymore.

 

 

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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