In Building Trades, our students build whole houses. Levels I and II work in tandem, so while they don't always start from the ground up, after two years, students will have had a chance to work on most parts of the construction process. This fall, students put finishing touches on one house, getting it ready for sale, and have made significant strides on a house that was framed out last year. They have been working on siding, rough electrical and plumbing, and interior framing, with students doing the vast majority of the measuring, cutting, nailing, and even some design work. At any given time, groups are working on different projects around the interior and exterior, ensuring everyone has something to do and can try different aspects of building. Students also have opportunities to go out on Co-ops in specific fields within the construction industry.
While most of students' time is spent on the construction site, they also get a lot of practice in math, communication, and business skills. Each class creates a fictional customer, and then every week, students are given a scenario related to building a home for the customer. Using architectural plans for the real house they're building, they need to measure and price out different materials, estimate timing, and then write professional emails to the customer explaining costs or requesting information. They also practice communicating with banks/loan officers, suppliers, and employees and how to properly price their work to account for waste margins and including a profit.
See pictures and details of the completed house at 322 Brookmeade here!
