“No thank you- I don’t drink coffee”

To all you coffee drinkers out there, you know the value of being well caffeinated particularly for project meetings. Oftentimes, in the construction industry for larger commercial projects, there is a preliminary meeting for subcontractors with the general contractor and client. Many times there are new faces and other subcontractors at these meetings that we are do not know.

Years ago I found myself at one of these pre-construction meetings, in a conference room on the job site. I arrived ahead of the general contractor, but other subcontractors were onsite. When I walked through the door, I noticed that I was the only female at the meeting, not uncommon for my situation at all. One of gentlemen at the table, who was there to represent for one of the subcontractors, was OLDER and requested that I go and “grab coffee for the room”. Obviously, the gentleman thought that I was someone from the office who was sent into the conference room to get coffee for the meeting. I responded to the gentleman saying, “No thank you, I don’t drink coffee” and I proceeded to sit down at the table. Of course the gentleman was a bit confused and a few moments later, the project manager for the general contractor came in to start the meeting. The introductions around the table began, and once it was known that I wasn’t the “gal from the office”, but the painting subcontractor; well…… needless to say, I wasn’t asked to get coffee anymore. This is just one more funny story or awkward situation that I come across as a women who owns and operates her own construction company.

A commercial project is very different than a residential project. Typically, they are larger with many moving parts and several other trades to consider and work with. We have been offering professional painting services in the commercial market for the last 33 years and work well with other subcontractors to complete the project on time for the client. Many commercial projects have complicating issues such as traffic control for exterior work or after hours work for active interior spaces. Our professional team members understand the complexity of commercial projects and offer the flexibility to accommodate factors that lend itself to a successful project.

Our services range from interior and exterior panting to full service general construction. Tenant improvement, refurbishment, modernization of an office space, common space or restrooms are a good amount of what we do. What we don’t do is serve coffee, but we would if the price was right.

Let us know if you have a project coming up that we can take a look at for you. We pride ourselves on quality and working within the needs of your project. Until the next funny story in the Adventures of Wheeler Painting and Restoration Services, be well and do good.