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Section 5 Applying Technology: Producing Products and Structures
Preparing the Site
The location for a home needs to be
carefully selected. This location should
meet the needs of the people who will live
there. For example, a family with children
might think about the schools serving the
area. The parents consider the distance to
work and shopping, recreation, and cul-
tural facilities. The condition of other homes
in the neighborhood, building codes, and
covenants are other factors to consider.
Once the site is chosen, it is purchased
from the owner. This might require work-
ing with a real estate agent and obtaining
a bank loan or other financing. The financ-
ing probably includes the money to erect
the home. This is important because most
banks do not loan money to build a house
on mortgaged land.
Next, the site is cleared to make room
for the structure. The location of the new
building is marked out. The area is then
cleared of obstacles. When it is possible,
the building should be located to save
existing trees and other plant life. The site
might require grading to level the site.
See Figure 17-7. Grading prepares areas
for sidewalks and landscaping and helps
water to drain from the site. These prepara-
tions are needed for the next step, setting
foundations.
Career Corner
Carpenters
Carpenters help construct buildings, high-
ways, bridges, factories, and other structures.
Some carpenters do all types of work, while others
specialize in doing a specific job, such as setting
forms for concrete, framing walls and partitions,
laying hardwood floors, or installing interior and
exterior trim. Carpenters must know local building
codes and be able to work from blueprints or
instructions from supervisors. Those who remodel
homes must be able to do all aspects of a job and,
therefore, require a good basic overall training.
Carpentry work is somewhat strenuous and requires standing, climbing,
bending, and kneeling. Carpenters must be competent in using tools and power
equipment. Carpentry is considered a skilled trade. Most carpenters learn their
trade through on-the-job training, vocational education, or apprenticeships.
Figure 17-7. Before a building can be built,
the site must be cleared and graded.