7 Construction Math Hacks: Estimating & More

I run a small carpentry business with 2 younger (early 20's) employees. I had one employee tell me he was watching one of your videos the other day. I immediately felt comfort knowing that he was learning from a man of great knowledge and experience. Somebody who has a heart of a teacher and wise enough to have a YouTube channel to share that wealth of knowledge. Thank you sir for that. You are grasping the right audience that way.

I was good at math in school. On my first construction job we were laying out lines on the site for a lazy el shape that had piles of fill around it that didn't allow for clear measurements and straight lines. (this was in the ground for a foundation). My boss was getting frustrated trying to lay it out and I finally opened my mouth and tried to tell him how to use Pythagorean's theorem. After a couple more failures he finally let me do what I was saying and laid I it out in perfectly. This was 1971 so I had to do the calculations on a paper bag. I immediately became his lead man. Math is good.

when young people like me say "where would this kind of math help" in school, NONE of my teachers have been as articulate as this. the hard part about "enjoying" math is seeing the fruit of all your memorization, but this REALLY helps!

I'm a carpenter here in Northern California been watching your channel for years now so many tricks and tips I've learned I always tell the guys I learned this from uncle Scott. Thanks the continued gift of wisdom.

3 4 5 rule. 43 years as a plumber/plumbing contractor. Invaluable. I am retired now but I volunteer at a vocational training school here in Medford and we teach this to all. Keep up the good work brother

I can’t say it enough. You amaze me. I would love to be your shadow. You have so many life skills that I and the rest of the world would benefit from. I am not in the same trade as you. But the knowledge you share translates across life. Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing. Please never stop recording.

I'm not even in construction. I'm a Mechanic but I find your videos absolutely fascinating and I've learned things I never knew I never knew and even put a few of them into action. And I have to say thats one of the most succinct descriptions of Pythagoras Theorum I've ever heard, brilliant.

Mathematics is most definitely Power. It is the fabric of this Universe. Having earned a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Applied Mathematics, I can truly state the sheer elegance and power of Mathematics.

I enjoy hanging around people smarter than me. Having a cup of coffee and your videos is truly a pleasure. Thank you.

When I wrote my carpentry exam there were many questions where it asked you to measure quantities. The real skill as a carpenter is “what should I order”

I’ve never built anything. In fact, I don’t even own a power drill, but for some reason, I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work!

beginning 2 AM, had a stressful morning. this..........calming, informative, worthy. Scott, gotta be lots and lots of builders who needed this and will use it. well done! ciao

Story time: Math DID get me a raise and some job security too. Set up: I was putting up tar paper with a GC on the second story of a building with a nasty grade beneath. We needed a length of about 20 feet. Without thinking too much, I peeled off a length and started a "new roll," a circle with a one foot diameter--> rolled it 7 thick.... Here's the math: a circles circumference is pi if the diameter is 1-->7X3.14... is about 21, so about 20 (with a little bit to play around with). No multiple trips up the ladders or resets, no seams or waste, no wrestling around with a bulky roll and trying to manage it while positioning the piece and stapling... GC's face.. He asked me later if I would be happy with an X (about 20%) increase in pay (duh), and offered me one of the most genuine complements I've received in the trads or otherwise; said clearly wasn't another s*** head and he to keep me around. TLDR: Use math to impress you boss.....

I am glad you mentioned the pythagorean theorem. I have worked with and around many carpenters through the years that knew the "3-4-5" rule but didnt actually know what it was or the equation for it.

I used to think the trades were for stupid people, but I've used more math as a builder than I ever expected to in my whole life. Arithmetic, fractions, and enough context to look up semi-complex formulas when you need them will give you a serious advantage in life and in the trades.

You sir are always a wealth of knowledge. Keep up the excellent work

As a machinist always working with angles- a young man showed me a trig app. Wow! What a game changer. In 30 seconds I have an answer.

Good useful tips. Hopefully the underlying message to young folks is "Yes, you will use arithmetic and math in your everyday life." I find that there is a disappointing number of people that see the simple math you describe as an insurmountable challenge.

Great tips, Scott! This was very informative for those of us who occasionally build stuff.

I started as a carpenter in 1976 building custom homes. Eventually I joined the Carpenter Union and started heavy construction. Eventually I started in WA State Department of Natural Resources in Engineering Division with the Carpenter Shop. We built fire lookouts and other projects statewide. Eventually I was appointed as Construction and Maintenance Superintendent. I started with DNR 1983 and retired in 2012. I still work in construction.