THE HEROES OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, GUYS WITH CEMENT IN THE BLOOD

Author: Thomas Falk, Owner Falk Construction Consulting

In recent years, a lot has been built in Ojochal and the surrounding area, from simple houses to luxurious villas with fantastic sea views. Many people are realizing their dream home here in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica. On social media and in the newspapers, proud homeowners, architects, influencers, etc., smile at us from a completed dream property.

However, the real heroes of such buildings are often forgotten amidst all the joy and pride in the finished property. They are the local construction workers who put in thousands of hours of dedication and passion for their work to create such architectural works of art. They are the GUYS WITH CEMENT IN THE BLOOD.

They face the daily challenges of a modern construction project. Let's treat them all respectfully and be more aware of their daily achievements. I am lucky enough to work with them daily as an entrepreneur in the construction sector. It is always impressive to see how willing these workers are to adapt to the ever-changing nature of modern construction, meet challenges with a smile and a positive attitude, and respond to their client's wishes and concerns. I have never experienced anything like this in over 30 years of construction.

The willingness of these workers to listen and always learn something new motivates me anew every day. Their daily exchange has also shown me that it is possible without the most modern technology, as is the norm in my original home country, Switzerland. What these workers achieve, sometimes with rudimentary tools, is impressive, and many construction workers I have met in my life so far could be inspired by this, not to mention the patience these workers have with us expats regarding the Spanish language. For me, as an entrepreneur, these workers, in addition to their actual work, are also my Spanish teachers - and I am very grateful to them for that.

We should also not forget that these guys often live on-site for the entire construction period and only occasionally return to family and friends for an extended weekend. On the construction site, they live in the simplest wooden or metal sheds, in close contact with the sometimes still very wild nature of Costa Rica. It is not uncommon for snakes, spiders, scorpions, and similar creatures to seek out their accommodation. But these guys also deal with this with what seems like ease - just as they do with the temperatures that prevail in these shacks. Their privacy is limited to approx. 1.5m2, namely one of the makeshift bunk beds in which they sleep.

The sanitary facilities are limited to an improvised toilet and a shower, which the entire construction team has to share. The team also has to provide its own meals. One member cooks for the entire construction team in an improvised kitchen. Restaurant visits or catering are not financially feasible for these construction workers. A construction team builds together and lives together during a project in the smallest of spaces and under the simplest of conditions.

In a world where so much is printed, pressed, or molded in one step, we quickly forget that building a property is not only a technical but also an organizational masterpiece. A construction project resembles a clockwork mechanism full of large and small gears that must mesh perfectly to function smoothly and tell the right time. A completed property is a joint effort of many different crafts. Every single one of these crafts is a component of this clockwork. Which component is not relevant?

For example, the case of a clockwork shines and is often admired by the observer. However, a small spring hidden inside the case hardly receives this attention, which in no way diminishes its importance for the smooth functioning of the watch. Because when it is not doing its job, the movement stands still. And it is the same with the workers on a construction project.

Every single construction worker is crucial in a building project, from the "peón" (simple unskilled worker) to the "maestro de obra" (foreman). Everyone has to fulfill their task perfectly at their place. Only a harmonious team that interacts, supports, and respects each other can meet the demanding requirements of today's clients.

Such a team of construction workers has probably built or is building your own home right now. You should value it!