Construction contractors are great managers who enjoy guiding construction projects to completion and actively engaging with customers. They are passionate about building and juggling many tasks at a time and can oversee the design and building of a range of structures. Alongside the engineers who design structures, construction contractors are essential to ensuring that infrastructure around the world gets built on time, meets customers’ demands, and is done safely.
Construction contractor responsibilities span project management, team management and construction. They oversee every part of a building construction project, from start to finish. Construction contractors must plan all the important development and implementation details and plan out construction equipment and materials to be used.
They are also responsible for various construction management processes, including the procurement of supplies and equipment, coordination of subcontractors to carry out specialized tasks like electricity or heating and ventilation. In addition, they must ensure funds are available to keep the project moving and prepare regular progress reports. The contractor must also manage the teams in terms of size and technical expertise, as well as payroll for their own employees and subcontractor payments.
Construction contractors must be quick thinkers, able to anticipate and plan for possible changes and having a risk management strategy in place to deal with it. They must also ensure that the plans, workers and local laws or codes all adhere to the scope of the building project. At the end of the building project, construction contractors are responsible for reviewing it all and making sure everything is correct. Construction contractors often work closely with construction engineers, civil engineers, and other specialists, to guide the building work as specified.
Construction contractor jobs are frequently available in the construction industry where building on any scale happens. They can help build homes, offices, bridges, skyscrapers, and other large buildings like tunnels, power plants, dams, and beyond. There is never a dull moment on a construction site, making this career of contracting perfect for those who like to juggle many challenges and deadlines.
Common construction contractor responsibilities
A construction contractor is responsible for performing a range of construction management tasks. Responsibilities may include:
- Managing and guiding construction project planning and design;
- Managing the building durable structures according to specifications and plans;
- Planning and procuring appropriate materials for construction based on specifications;
- Identifying and resolving any issues arising during building;
- Managing an effective construction schedule with timing and milestones;
- Preparing progress reports and appraisal reports;
- Collaborating with customers, engineers, specialists, and construction workers to build the desired structures;
- Hiring subcontractors to carry out specific tasks, such as electricity or plumbing installation;
- Tracking progress and reporting on same;
- Delivering results in line with agreed construction project timelines and budgets;
- Delivering construction outputs in compliance with relevant requirements, codes, and certifications, and in line with customer needs and demands;
- Assuring the safety and security of team members;
- Engaging regularly with the customers;
- Traveling to construction sites to observe and manage construction.
Qualifications for construction contractors
Construction contractors should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a similar engineering discipline. In some countries, a construction contractor license may also be required.
Additional supporting skills and experience include:
- 2-5+ years of construction contracting experience;
- Some experience in areas like carpentry, tiling, plumbing, electricity is needed;
- Solid understanding of construction materials and methods;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Proven experience in project and team management;
- Experience with diverse computer software;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to be able to work easily with customers, engineers, technicians, and other team members.