Hit 50k bricks laid this year and honestly, I think the 'speed over everything' crew is wrong

I just hit a personal record of 50,000 bricks laid since January, and it made me realize something. A lot of guys on sites push for insane speed, like laying 800 a day no matter what. I used to chase that, but my joints were shot and my work looked sloppy. This year, I focused on a steady 500-550 a day with perfect lines and full joints. My boss in Tampa pulled me aside last week and said my section of the new library wall was the only one that passed the super's inspection on the first go. It mattered because it proved that quality control saves way more time than rushing and having to tear out a course. Has anyone else found that slowing down a bit actually made them more valuable on a job?

2 comments

2 Comments

murray.betty13d ago

Speed still pays the bills when deadlines are tight.

ramirez.caleb13d ago

Yeah, the "speed pays the bills" thing... I used to believe that too. But I got so sick of the callbacks and the rework eating up all that "fast" money. Seeing your wall pass inspection first try is the real win. It's not about being slow, it's about being right the first time. That saves more hours than any rushed day ever will.