Praise for Women in Construction

Loved your article on women in construction! (“Home Makers,” Sept. 19.) I had a dream of building a bedroom unit that would serve as bookshelf, computer desk, entertainment center, dresser, storage, etc.

I even drew up plans on graph paper but was promptly patronized by every male cabinetmaker-carpenter and sent on my way with an outrageous quote and a pat on the head.

On one of my luckiest days I met Pam Kitchen of Kitchen’s Cabinets. Want to know why women are successful in construction?

1. Pam really listened to me.

2. She was genuinely interested in my project.

3. She got involved artistically and always was concerned about the bottom line.

4. She herself was reliable and only worked with subs who showed up on time and did the highest quality work.

I love my new installation and would work with other women in the building trades in a New York minute.

CONNIE COMISKEY QUICKLE

Palm Springs

Last Sunday’s article on women in construction was well written and perhaps food for thought for those contemplating a career in this area.

One minor point, though. The photo of contractor Lorrie Webb measuring off her blueprint with a tape measure depicts a bad practice that should be avoided.

Blueprint reproduction invariably alters the size of the original being blueprinted. And a tape measure is a relatively crude device for such fine work anyway--architectural drawings are prepared using an architectural scale.

Put it together, and you end up with inaccurate measurements, inaccurate construction, and lost time and money.

ERIC L. SEARCY

Los Angeles

The writer is an architect.