Every jobsite has its own rhythm, its own unspoken rules, and its own characters. There’s the guy who “forgets” his lunch every day, the one who always shows up with the cleanest boots, and the foreman who swears his tape measure has been stolen by the same gremlin every morning.
But whether you’re swinging a hammer, running the saw, or just trying to keep your coffee from freezing, there’s one thing every crew needs to survive the chaos: a code of conduct.
So grab your hard hat and sense of humor. Here are The 10 Commandments of Jobsite Etiquette.
If you didn’t buy it, bring it, or borrow it with permission, keep your hands off.
Nothing sparks jobsite rage faster than the mysterious disappearance of someone’s impact drill. You might think you’re “just borrowing it for a second,” but next thing you know, it’s on the other side of the site, missing a bit, and the original owner is threatening to label everything with neon pink duct tape.
Moral of the story: if it’s not yours, don’t touch it.
There is a sacred order to who buys coffee. Usually, it’s the apprentice, new guy, or whoever showed up last. But no matter what, never mess with someone’s order.
Double-double means double-double. Not “whatever they had left in the pot.” And if someone takes the time to grab coffees for the crew, you better cough up your $2.75 faster than you swing your hammer.
Bonus rule: whoever spills the coffee in the truck bed owes everyone a replacement round.
We get it. You love death metal, or country, or early 2000s techno. But the Bluetooth speaker is a shared responsibility. The playlist should never be a hostage situation.
Best practice: rotate DJ duties. Mondays can be classic rock, Wednesdays for country, Fridays for whatever gets the job wrapped up fastest.
And under no circumstances should anyone hear Nickelback three times in a row.
The saw doesn’t clean itself, the broom isn’t decorative, and sawdust doesn’t magically evaporate overnight. Whether it’s scrap wood, drywall dust, or the mountain of offcuts left from the “quick” job, clean up your mess.
Remember: a clean jobsite makes you look professional. A messy one makes you look like you’re auditioning for a reality show called “Construction Chaos.”
There are only so many batteries to go around. Don’t be that person who keeps the one good DeWalt battery in your bag “just in case.”
Sharing is caring. Plus, next time your drill dies mid-project, you’ll be glad you didn’t hoard the last charged pack like it’s gold.
Ain’t nothing holy about what happens in there, but it’s the only one you’ve got.
So treat it like sacred ground. Don’t leave your lunch wrapper, don’t graffiti the door, and for the love of all things level, close the lid when you’re done.
If you wouldn’t do it in your own bathroom, don’t do it here. Actually, even if you would, just don’t.
Look, nobody’s perfect. The alarm fails, the traffic hits, or Tim Hortons runs out of your favorite breakfast sandwich. But there’s a difference between being five minutes late and showing up an hour behind schedule with a grin and a muffin.
Being on time is a sign of respect. The earlier you arrive, the more time you have to look like you’re working while secretly sipping that second coffee.
Every crew has one, the group chat where job details, memes, and questionable photos get mixed together. But remember: the boss might be in there too.
So think before you hit “send.” A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want it on the jobsite bulletin board, keep it off the chat.
Every foreman knows the guy who suddenly disappears right before cleanup or when the heavy lifting starts. “Just grabbing something from the truck,” he says. Ten minutes later, he’s on the phone, or worse, gone for the day.
If you’re going to dip, at least wait until the job’s done. Better yet, grab a broom and help finish faster. Your crew will respect you more for it.
The most important rule of all.
No matter how hot, muddy, cold, or chaotic it gets out there, the best crews look out for each other. Whether that means helping someone lift a beam, spotting them on a ladder, or catching the mistake before the inspector does, that loyalty is what keeps jobs safe, productive, and fun.
Because at the end of the day, the work is hard, but the people make it worth it.
Unwritten, yet universally understood.
You’ve earned it.
In all seriousness
Every strong crew runs on mutual respect, communication, and accountability. Jobsite etiquette isn’t about rules. It’s about keeping things safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.
And if you want to take that same spirit of organization off the site and into your operations, including scheduling, safety tracking, communication, and even finances, check out Tradetraks.
Because no matter how good your crew is, even the best need the right tools to stay on track.