Buzz
Property development is hard to ignore. In any major city or town, you're likely to spot a construction site nearby. This list explores common questions about U.S. construction sites, along with unique features from sites in countries like China, Iceland, and England.
10. The Job Box
At the end of a workday or over the weekend, a peculiar sight often appears when a crane is involved. Even though the crane is turned off and unmanned, it may hold a metal container suspended in the air, giving the illusion of a worker’s laziness. But the crane’s purpose is much more practical: it lifts the container high to protect valuable tools and equipment, like generators, from theft during off-hours. This metal container, known as the ‘job box,’ not only prevents theft but also shields the equipment from weather damage when the site is deserted.
9. How Did It Get Up There?
It’s easy to wonder how cranes seem to grow taller as they construct high-rise buildings. No matter how high the structure becomes, the crane that built it always appears to stand even taller. What many don’t know is that cranes are built just like the buildings they’re assembling: a second crane is often used to help lift the primary crane to the necessary height. Once both the crane and building reach a point where further expansion becomes difficult, the top of the crane is raised hydraulically, splitting it into sections, with a new support piece added beneath. This creates the illusion of the crane growing gradually over time, just like the building it is helping to construct.
8. Mock-Ups
Large construction sites often feature an artistic rendering of what the completed building will look like. These mock-ups are generally believed to inform the public about the future transformation of the area. However, their main purpose is to reassure nearby residents and workers that the construction of a new building will have a positive impact. People are often uneasy about change, particularly if the new building requires demolishing something familiar. The renderings subtly help neighbors adjust to the idea of the upcoming construction before it even begins, making the transition feel less jarring.
7. The Elf Whisperer
In Iceland, there’s a person who frequently opposes certain construction projects. Many Icelanders believe in elves, which is why there’s a special individual assigned to inspect potential construction sites, ensuring that no elves inhabit the land being developed. While this may seem unusual, elves are often symbolic of the environment. Just as we preserve historic buildings for their cultural significance, the elf whisperer’s role is to safeguard Iceland’s natural beauty, making sure new developments don’t spoil picturesque or historically important landscapes. Their efforts are supported by the collective desire to preserve wildlife, which can often block construction in certain areas if it poses a threat to the environment. Talk about ‘Elf and Safety’ taken to extremes!
6. Hard Hats
It’s a legal requirement for all workers and visitors on a construction site to wear a hard hat. What many people don’t realize, however, is that in several countries, the color of the hard hats is used to indicate the wearer’s role on the site. The white hats are the ones to watch out for, as they often belong to those ensuring that safety regulations are being followed. One key reason for this color coding is to make it easy to spot the safety officer or first aider in case of an emergency. It also represents different levels of experience; for instance, a less experienced worker might wear a different colored helmet than a more skilled colleague. This color-coding system is also used by the Navy on aircraft carriers, where it’s crucial to quickly identify certain roles in emergency situations. In the UK, however, everyone on site must wear the same standard-issue white hard hat and high-visibility jacket.
5. Umarell
In some countries, construction sites are often observed by elderly men, sometimes retired. In Bologna, these men are known as “Umarell,” which translates to ‘little man’—a term that’s both playful and observational. These retired men typically stand by the gates of construction sites, watching the progress and offering unsolicited advice based on their own experiences. This behavior is likely driven by boredom rather than protest. In 2015, Riccone’s government decided to allocate a budget of eleven thousand Euros to pay these ‘Umarells’ in an effort to reduce theft from construction sites. These elderly men, who would watch the sites regardless of the weather, were paid to count the number of vans and deliveries coming to and from the site. They also served as unofficial guards, watching over the sites from their nearby homes when work wasn’t being done. While their presence can be a bit annoying, at least they serve a useful purpose!
Similar to the Umarell, the ‘Cocky Watchman’ is another elderly, retired man hired on construction sites, typically because he is cheap labor. His job is to act as security during the night, keeping an eye out for any intruders. The name ‘Cocky Watchman’ comes from the small hut they sit in, which resembles a cockpit.
4. The Can Lad
On a construction site, an Apprentice often takes on many roles (though not literally wearing multiple hats: in reality, they only wear one hard hat to mark their status as an Apprentice). Apprentices are expected to observe experienced workers and take on repetitive tasks that don’t require much skill, like moving materials or driving nails into designated spots. They also have the less glamorous jobs, such as running to get sandwiches or going to the store for biscuits. These non-construction duties are often referred to as the ‘unwritten rules of the Can Lad’ (a term from Northern England). While these tasks may seem simple, some are physically demanding—such as keeping the Water Urn filled and hot on command. The Water Urn is a large kettle with a faucet to dispense hot water, and filling it is no easy job, as it involves transporting heavy containers of water from the nearest faucet to the urn. While these tasks may not directly teach construction skills, they serve as a rite of passage. Everyone has to start somewhere.
3. We’ll Build Around It
When a construction project is green-lit, very little can stop it—including nearby residential homes. Sometimes, homeowners refuse to sell their properties, and as a result, the project gets built around their houses. In China, homeowners who refuse to sell become the proud owners of a ‘nail house.’ This term originated in recent years as stricter regulations loosened, allowing for private property ownership. In the past, people were easily moved for construction purposes. The term ‘nail house’ refers to the homes that remain in the middle of construction sites, sticking out like a stubborn nail that’s hard to remove. Nail Houses can even end up beside highways due to the combination of the homeowner's persistence and the high costs of adjusting the plans to avoid them.
2. Stealing Space
Many people think that tossing their trash into a construction site’s dumpster is no big deal. After all, it’s convenient and the dumpster will eventually be filled with waste anyway. However, what they don’t realize is that a contractor can face fines for any non-construction waste placed in the bin. Trash must be sorted into specific categories for proper disposal, and adding non-construction debris can cause issues for those who are responsible for managing the dumpster.
It’s also important to note that all the space in the dumpster is intended to be used efficiently, as contractors estimate in advance how much space they will need. If members of the public add their own waste, it could force the contractor to hire an additional dumpster or pay for extra pickups, which can cost anywhere between $200 and $400 per extra emptying! So, please—don’t do it!
1. Mice
The smallest public statue in London was created due to a disagreement on a construction site. This statue, titled ‘Two Mice Eating Cheese,’ depicts two mice fighting over a piece of cheese. The story behind the statue dates back to 1862, when two construction workers fell from scaffolding after arguing about the disappearance of their lunch. An investigation revealed that nearby mice had stolen and hidden the food. This tale is frequently recalled on construction sites when workers argue about trivial matters, especially during lunch breaks when the conversation strays from the work at hand.
