Most superintendents used to be in their 50s, said Charlie Redin, who at age 77 was monitoring construction of a home in Hickory in August. Builders argue that a more polished college graduate is better equipped to meet with buyers, examine complicated finances and schedule subcontractors. They don't carry hammers,'' Neal Walsh, president of the Torrey Homes Charlotte division, said of his superintendents. Today's supervisors face more daunting challenges than their predecessors. New houses are more complicated than ever, full of complex roof lines and big interior spaces that require sophisticated engineering.
Builders acknowledge that they have fewer skilled craftsmen, but say they're compensating.
Some companies, like Eastwood Homes, assign senior managers to inspect every home for quality. Other builders, such as Ryland Homes and SaussyBurbank, hire outside engineers to examine the work. Sites may have problems Land is in short supply, too. They're increasingly building on lots with steep slopes, unstable soil or flooding problems. The ideal place to build is on high ground, where water naturally drains away.