Civil engineer documents that the builder purposely ignored his drawing and built only with what he was told on the phone, which got him fired: 'On my next site visit, there was a different foreman, and I was told the previous foreman had been let go'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Aug 3, 2026 6:00 PM EDT

What is the problem with builders and engineers? They seem to always be disagreeing with each other and underestimating one another.

Certain professions seem not to get along with others. We have doctors and nurses. The ones with a license to operate and treat patients are usually seen completely underestimating how much nurses know, and they deem anything they have to say as useless. Then we have the police force and the fire department, who don't seem to fully understand that they need one another. And lastly, engineers and builders. This opposition may not happen everywhere –luckily– but they aren't uncommon. These pairs that should be using each other to do their job the best way they can usually end up arguing over minor things instead of learning from each other.

A builder and an engineer need to work as a team to build something. The civil engineer, like the one in the story below, needs to do all the planning with the calculations and the drawings to make sure that the structure that is being built will be able to stay in place. The builder has to do other calculations, the ones that count how much of each material is going to be needed, for example. And then put together a squad of builders to take the drawing and make it real. They need each other. Without one of these positions, we are left without the final product –or with one that won't last.

Working with people who don't have the best qualifications can be hard. Jealousy is a strong force that will likely try to intrude on the matter. But there is no room for it, or at least it shouldn't be. There needs to be teamwork to do things correctly, and that is not possible if workers focus more on petty rivalries instead of the job. The most important thing is to do what you are hired for, and that should be enough to avoid any arguments between colleagues. We all have different qualifications, but that has to bring us together, appreciate the moment, and take advantage of it to learn. That is how a good job is done. So stop wasting time fighting one another and do what you do best. Your job! 
 

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  • I work as a civil engineer in construction. A builder was under a lot of pressure trying to get some concrete foundations built, so I tried to help him out. First thing in the morning I called him to let him know I'd finished revising the foundation drawings and was emailing them through. He wanted me to explain the changes over the phone. I told him I'd give him a brief overview,
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • A builder working on the structures of a building. Representation.
    via Josh Olalde

    A builder working on the structures of a building. 

    Representation.

  • but I repeated three times that he was to wait for the drawings and build from the drawings, not from my verbal description, in case there was any misunderstanding. The drawings arrived only minutes later. I got to site and found the foundations had been built incorrectly. When I asked whether he'd looked at the drawings, he said, "No, I trusted what you said on the phone."
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • He then blamed me, questioned my qualifications, told me my calculations were wrong, and completely lost his temper. His second-in-charge had to step in and calm him down. I calmly went back through exactly what I'd said on the phone. Despite being blamed, I told him I'd see whether what he'd built could still work so he wouldn't have to demolish and rebuild it. He demanded an
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • answer immediately, but I explained I'd need to run the engineering calculations first. That just triggered another rant about engineers. Fortunately, I managed to make his construction work with some design changes. However, because of how the interaction went and because he was trying to shift the blame onto me, I documented in my follow-up email that I had repeatedly instructed him to wait for the
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • drawings, that he chose not to look at them before building, and that he also never sent the site photos he'd promised. On my next site visit there was a different foreman, and I was told the previous foreman had been let go. Now I'm wondering if documenting what actually happened contributed to him losing his job. Part of me also wonders whether he'd already
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  • been on his way out and simply used me as a verbal punching bag that day. AITAH for documenting the facts, knowing it may have played a part in him being fired?
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • People working in construction during the day.
    via Josue Isai Ramos Figueroa

    People working in construction during the day.

     

  • PicklesMcpickle NTA- you know it. Safety first. I had a co-worker at a group home. And I had gone through some directions and I could tell that they could not read. And I was concerned and gotten a managers pulled aside and I let them know. Turns out to be the last straw or something. I wasn't out to get someone fired.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • Immediate-Employ-952 NTA. From now on "Call me when you are looking at the drawings and I can answer any questions." I would also record if that is possible by law in your area.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • pinesguy NTA. This wasn't the first time a guy that doesn't look at plans made a costly mistake. I hope the fellah lands on his feet somewhere where he doesn't need to look at plans. It's not your fault OP, your first priority is to the safe and sound design and you followed through guarding that.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • Grant Winner_Extra NTA You know what contributed to him getting fired? His incompetence and impatience. You had good intentions and clear communication, it's not your fault he was incompetent
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • Milopbx You were the last straw for his boss. "Larry, I told you this was your last chance, you fired!
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • SuccessfulAd4606 Karma is real dude, he had it coming.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • CorLeonis509 NTA, you did your job and are a credit to your profession; he did not and was not, and that's why he was let go.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • microfibrepiggy NTA. You know what happens if you don't document his f up and a part of the building fails because of it? You get sued into teeny tiny little bits.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater
  • rahocca NTA, his poor work performance lead to his firing.
    via EmotionalMuffinEater

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