Apprentice of the month – April

First-year apprentice Sam Mears demonstrated his ability to think outside the box when faced with a problem that required precision measurements and cutting

Sam, from Dunedin, was tasked with creating a pitched change from a roof to a veranda. Adding to the challenge was the fact the veranda was required to float until supports were installed!

Using pitch calculations, he determined what height the lower rafters needed to sit at to create the correct pitch, which also allowed him to work out where he needed to make his cuts.

After confirming his calculations with a digital level, Sam started building the pitch change. He and his colleagues also set up makeshift profiles to ensure the beam was at the correct height for the veranda.

To allow the roofers on site to continue their work, they also installed rafters, purlins and braces and created a temporary support for the floating structure.

Sam said that the experience taught him the value of putting some time into planning.

“In this case, using the temporary support system helped speed up the job, which meant that timeframes could be kept and that the other contractors on site stayed happy,” he says. “Thinking outside the box to get the job done more quickly without sacrificing quality really pays off!”