One of my first solo photo shoots as a new editor at Fine Homebuilding was with Mike Guertin for an article on his site-built A-frame scaffolding. It was to be a straightforward two-page feature, a useful article, but little more than a tip. That didn’t mean I was any less anxious as I drove to visit Mike at his home in Rhode Island.
I had little photography experience beyond shooting black-and-white images of Girl Scouts selling cookies for a local newspaper, and though I had some jobsite work experience under my toolbelt, I still felt like an imposter talking building with folks like Mike, who I had yet to meet in person.
I’m sure that anyone who has met Mike can see the rest of this story coming. He put me immediately at ease, and I not only learned everything I needed to know that day about building A-frames for scaffolding, but he also taught me to take great step-by-step photos for the magazine, on this and many photo shoots to come.
Since then, Mike has continued to teach me about building with every article, video, podcast, and conversation I’ve had with him for more than 20 years now. To quote Travis Brungardt, “Mike is a national treasure.”
If you click “View all articles by Mike Guertin” on FineHomebuilding.com, the results are 83 pages deep. To put that in perspective, Gary Katz has 11 pages, and Gary Striegler has eight. I’ve been working here full-time for nearly two decades and I’ve yet to break 20 pages. Without any more research, I feel confident saying that Mike is by far FHB’s most prolific author, having contributed dozens of features, regular tips, and product reviews, and answering countless questions for “Ask the Experts.”
He’s also hosted many of our best videos, including a very popular “Shop Class” series on critical deck connections. And it was only because Mike was on board as the builder that we launched the FHB House program in 2016. Before that, building a demonstration home that would stand up to the tolerances of our audience terrified us.
Not unlike the work of a trim carpenter, however, productivity alone is not the value of a contributor like Mike. It’s the quality of his work that matters. Mike is thorough and practical and just wants us all to get it right, whether we’re flashing a roof valley, venting a bath fan, or installing vinyl siding, the latter of which may have been Mike’s most controversial article.
“Vinyl doesn’t belong on a ‘fine’ home,” many readers protested. If it weren’t for Mike, I might agree. But one of the lessons I’ve learned from him over the years is that a ‘fine’ home is one that is built to be durable, comfortable, and healthy, regardless of design decision, material choices, and even budget. In my opinion, that’s the best attitude a building professional could have.
One more quote from Travis: “When Mike speaks, I always learn something.” So, folks, listen up …
— Brian Pontolilo
We recently reached out to Mike to learn a little bit more about him. Here are his answers to a few of our questions:
When did you know you wanted to work in your trade—not when did you start working in it, but when did you know you wanted to work in it?
I wanted to do a lot of things when I was younger, and being in construction wasn’t one of them. I’m still not sure if I want to work in construction, but it was a good thing to do while evaluating other career options.
How did you learn the most?
From a mentor, by reading, watching YouTube or other social media, by making mistakes. I learned the most by jumping into a job/task without knowing anything and screwing up—a lot—then fixing my screw-ups.
What skill came easiest to you, and what have you struggled to master?
The skill that came easiest to me is tossing a circular-saw blade 25 ft. at a wall and getting it to stick into a block of wood. I’m still trying to master burying the straight claw of a hammer into a block of wood from 25 ft.
What have you been wrong about when it comes to your trade?
Everything.
What have you been right about when it comes to your trade?
Nothing. I’m still trying to get it right. And as soon as I figure out what is right, the goalposts will move and I’ll be wrong again.
If I became your apprentice, what would I be surprised to learn about your work?
Mike Guertin is good at explaining a detailed process to achieve high success, but he cuts corners on his processes. He sets a high bar and then lowers it to match the work he actually produces. Basically, he’s a hack.
What is the best part of your job? What don’t you like to do?
The best part of my job is figuring out how to build what I’m tasked with building. Whether it’s designing a new home or a remodeling project, laying out tile in a shower or grading a challenging site, there’s a lot of problem solving involved. It’s rewarding to devise novel ways to solve challenging building problems by myself and with coworkers.
What tool do you use the most, like the most, and wish you never had to use again?
I use a retractable utility knife the most. I like vacuums the most. And I wish I never had to use a drywall pole sander again.
What piece of advice would you pass along to the incoming generation interested in getting involved in the trades?
There are many ways to approach an operation, whether it be installing a type of siding or flooring, finishing drywall, or laying up CMU. What you learn from one person or source may not be the best or most efficient. Always be on the lookout for and explore better and more efficient practices. And be sure they’re within product manufacturer installation guidelines.
How do you continue your education?
Reading publications, attending in-person events, online learning. I haven’t advanced my educational practices much. I still jump into projects not having a clear idea what I’m doing but confident that I can fix anything I screw up.
Learn More From MikeWant to learn more about the details you need to make a deck safe, solid, and code-compliant? Sign up for FHB’s on-demand eLearning course, Critical Deck-Framing Connections with Mike Guertin. In the course, you’ll learn about:
Click here to register today |
— Photos courtesy of Mike Guertin, except where noted.
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