who built columns and girders

[Untaught88]

Hi,

Is "They hired a layman instead of a trained person who built columns and girders in just half time at half price" correct?

 

[MikeNewYork]

If I understand your meaning, the "layman" is the person who builds things in half the time and at half price. If that is true, the phrase starting with "instead of" is misplaced and makes the sentence confusing.

Try "Instead of a trained person, they hired a layman who built columns and girders in just half the time and at half the price."

 

[teechar]

They hired [STRIKE]a layman[/STRIKE] an amateur instead of a trained/qualified professional [STRIKE]person[/STRIKE] who [STRIKE]built[/STRIKE] builds columns and girders in just half the time and at half the price."

See above.
Edit: cross-posted with Mike.

 

[Tarheel]

We wouldn't normally use "layman" in that context. Perhaps you mean they hired somebody who was nonunion, but not somebody who is untrained.