I recently watched an investigative report on the news showcasing victims of careless, ill-trained, and dishonest contractors. Though potential for shoddy workmanship is inescapable anywhere you go in the world, European countries like Germany and Switzerland have a less likely chance of this happening.
"How can that be?" you ask.
The answer to this question could likely fill a book, but as a German trained contractor working in the United States, I can offer my observances in abridged form. My intent is neither to degrade Americans (I absolutely love America) nor to imply that Europeans are infallible and perfect (that is certainly not true either).
There is, however, a disparity as far as workmanship on the whole is concerned. The reasons for this vary and need to be discussed.
Culture and lifestyle head the top of the list. My country is the size of just one of the states in the United States. My father lives in the same city I was born in and in the same home since my earliest recollection. My last name comes from a neighboring city my family settled hundreds of years ago.
My American wife, on the other hand, has lived in more than 20 locations. Not one member of her family was born in the same state.
Since America is so large and many families are so transient, why should Americans bother demanding enduring quality and workmanship when they're off to the next place in such a short period of time?
I have friends in Europe who live in homes that have been in their family for generations. Since they plan to stay there and pass down their homes to their own progeny, they have 1) a reason to demand work meant to last, and 2) a deep feeling of stewardship and pride of their dwelling places.
Many of their homes enjoy a wealth of history, and are much older than the United States itself.
The American culture of convenience and quick fixes is certainly justifiable to a certain extent. Someone who lives in a circa 1970s track home where they plan to stay for less than 5 years isn't going to want to dump a lot of money in it to make it last for centuries.
Trouble is, this paradigm has translated over to almost everything, from important historical buildings to many of America's multi-million dollar dream homes.
Now I realize I'm speaking in gross generalizations and there are many exceptions, but you can see how this lifestyle has developed a widespread culture more interested in accomplishing the task at hand in the cheapest, fastest way rather than the right way.
As with this philosophy in general, one can only hang on this way for a time until the consequences catch up. Words like "sustainability" are becoming a part of everyday lingo.
I don't need to delve into the impact of building with "disposable" materials that end in a landfill, or substandard construction resulting in the escape of copious amounts of heat from the home, or negative economic ramifications of consistent replacement and waste, let alone what poor workmanship does to the psyche of our culture.
Of course we don't have the volume of architecturally difficult buildings in the U.S. as in Europe for obvious reasons. Since we don't need the skills required to restore these buildings or match architectural styles, why would we be known for workers who have these abilities?
Again, this is understandable to a point. However, if you had a bad childhood, does that mean you have the right to pass that on, or do you have the responsibility to make your adult life better? At some point, basic skills are still required.
Since I work in fine metal roofing, I'll pick on that for another example. I see fine metal roofing companies claiming to provide the best possible quality, yet they use and sell caulk and sealants as if they were an acceptable solution.
Those are cheap crutches used by people who don't know better because they haven't had the proper educational opportunities, and they are passing this on as standard.
Education plays an enormous role. I remember a game I played as a child where we would all line up in a row. The first in line would whisper a simple phrase into the ear of the one lined up next to him and so on.
Invariably, the last in the line whose job was to repeat what was whispered to him blurted out a completely different phrase from the one that was initiated. Since we don't have proper educational facilities in the U.S., trade techniques are getting passed along incorrectly and these methods are perpetuating themselves.
Well-meaning workers very interested in providing quality service and thinking they are doing so, just aren't. Since they are the "professionals" and "authorities" and pass along the standard their clients have come to expect, the clients think they are getting good work. And that's tragic on so many levels.
A friend of mine got her roofing license in America by studying a book for a couple of weeks, taking a test and finding a qualifying contractor to watch over her work. Though very intelligent, she had no experience in the field of roofing at all and was still able to get a license.
In Germany, even trades like window washers require years of training and passing the requisite tests before they can start work.
These credentials are more than just business licenses. They are proof that the contractor has passed some of the toughest competency requirements in the world.
As an example, the "Meisterbrief", the highest contractor certification in Europe requires four years of post graduate education at an accredited university and has a 50% fail rate. Many trades have traditional clothing that only a master of the trade may wear.
These certifications mean something. These are educated, professional craftspeople, not the typical "blue collar" worker. Clients can look up diplomas and certificates and feel confident hiring one of these professionals.
As a result, Europeans in general do not tolerate substandard work. A town just outside mine in Germany hired a company to pave a road. It came out uneven and bumpy (but better than many around my home here in the U.S.).
The citizens were so upset, they demanded the city make the paving company replace it. The paving company pleaded with the city and said they would go out of business if they had to endure that extra cost. The city made them do it anyway.
A few public examples like this, and no one makes things improperly. The majority of construction work I have seen here would never pass muster with a European inspector.
I want better for all of us here in America. We are somehow afraid to expect, no demand the best for us in building and architecture.
It's a safety issue. It's an economic and environmental issue. It's a matter of pride and respect.
We have decided that crossing our fingers and hoping for the best is just the way life is; deal with it, that's the standard.
We need to reevaluate our educational system and update licensing requirements, but mostly, we just need to demand better from and for ourselves. When that happens, the rest will fall into place.
About the Author
Erno Ovari of Copper Exclusive has a distinguished career in metal craft that dates back to 1985, with experience throughout Europe as well as 11 years of intensive education in this trade. He holds the degree of "Meisterbrief", the highest contractor certification in Europe. http://www.copperexclusive.com Copper Roofing - Exclusive European Style
