Every industry has its people who make an impact. Who makes a difference. Who are the ones that determine the success and failure of an industry on a day to day basis. Each member of an industry performs a role which enables that industry to function with normality. In this blog, we are going to discuss the role of a builder in the construction industry and what it takes to become one.
Construction’s impact on society is not spoken about enough. One of the largest industries in Australia, it has a significant effect on the performance of Australia’s economy.
Within the construction industry, there are a plethora of roles and jobs that can be explored. One thing the industry prides itself on is variety. From plumbing and carpentry all the way to construction management, you will find that there is much to differentiate.
The most important role in the construction industry is no doubt that of a builder. Builders are the linchpins of construction. They keep everything together like glue, and ensure the successful operation of projects. They are the foot soldiers, the supervisors and the managers. Essentially, builders are vital to the industry. The role they provide makes construction move.
With such a strong link to the success of the industry, you would think it would be quite hard to become a builder. This isn’t necessarily the case. There are many paths to becoming a builder – it is mainly about finding the best path to take. Look carefully and you will find out how you can become a builder along with the right path to follow for your own progression and development.
In this blog, we illuminate the role of a builder in the construction industry. Following this, you will get to see what it takes to become a builder.
So what does a builder actually do? What does their role entail and what functions do they perform? The answer to this question is not linear. The general consensus is that Builders oversee, coordinate and work on the construction, repair and renovation of homes and other buildings. They may also manage entire projects. Builders also need to follow strict safety regulations, including using and wearing protective equipment and ensuring the construction site is safe.
Builders are not of one kind. There are different types of builder roles that have overlapping responsibilities but the overall purpose might vary. Some of the roles of builders include:
Professional Builder
To start things off, we begin with the job of a Professional Builder. As the name might imply, it is generalised to some degree. Professional Builders design, organise, lead, control and coordinate the building and construction process of projects (which can vary in size, resources and scale), as well as the resources needed to complete it which includes labour, capital, materials etc. They also must be able to ensure compliance of occupational health and safety (OHS) from all individuals involved in a project. As you might infer, Professional Builders have quite a bit of responsibility on their shoulders. Not only do they need to ensure workers are accounted for, but they must keep a birds eye view on all facets of the construction process from beginning to end. Some other tasks of Professional Builders include:
- Interpreting architectural drawings and specifications
- Coordinating labour resources, procurement and delivery of materials, plant and equipment
- Ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget
- Operating and implementing coordinated work programs for sites
- Ensuring adherence to building legislation and standards of performance, quality, cost and safety.
As expected, there is strong demand for this role within the industry. It is generally suited to those with a knack for leadership and management, as well as extensive experience in building and construction.
Building and Construction Manager
A Building and Construction Manager is like any other manager who oversees the entire process of a project, in this case construction. Everyone on site looks to them as the leader who delegates tasks and ensures work is smooth and completed on time. Because this role is extensive in nature, it requires significant experience in the construction industry, and a variety of other roles previously completed as well. A Construction Manager must be able to:
- Manage and organise resources of labour, allocating workers to the right tasks to maximise efficiency
- Deal and consult with experts in Architecture, Engineering, Trade etc.
- Ensure adherence to legislation and construction is of required standard
- Submitting plans to local bodies
Construction Estimator
Construction Estimators are tasked with compiling a list of physical resources required to determine the costs of construction projects. This will normally occur continuously until the tender settlement stage. Whilst demand is moderate, the job offers generous pay rates. Construction Estimators will normally engage is tasks such as:
- Calculating costs and estimating time periods
- Inspecting work and materials for compliance with specifications, regulations and standards
- Producing initial sketches, working drawings and specifications
- Producing, editing and revising plans, maps, charts and drawings
Many underestimate the job of a Construction Estimator. It is not as leadership-based as the previous two roles mentioned above, however it requires an advanced skill level that can cope with time-consuming processes to ensure success of construction projects.
As you can see, the specifications of these jobs have a lot of technical aspects. This might be daunting for some looking to pursue the role of a builder. But in truth, what is required to become a builder shouldn’t be daunting at all.
The most important thing you can do to become a builder is ensure you fulfil the necessary steps. Firstly, education. Ensuring you have obtained the right qualifications is key to following the right path. You also don’t need to make education the be all and end all, as many reach a certain level and can look for jobs successfully because the requirements are not hefty.
The other thing you can do is undertake hands-on experience. This will give you skills in building and construction while you study. You can build confidence as you learn, because you will progressively be increasing your capabilities.
So, what can we derive from this? What does it take to become a builder? The answer is simple. Bringing a can-do attitude goes a long way to facilitating a successful career as a builder. You can follow different steps, or try to adhere to a checklist, but it will not mean much if you do not have the passion or desire to improve. Take satisfaction in the journey, and reflect on the progress you make continuously. You will find that the journey is all the more enjoyable and the end of the tunnel is clear to see.
Builders are key cogs in the building and construction industry. It is evident that without builders, the industry would fail, or perhaps cease to exist. A builder’s role is not simplistic; rather there are many avenues a trained builder can take, such as that of a construction manager.
It goes without saying that becoming a builder is not easy by any stretch. The journey is long and arduous, which is expected considering the impact builders have on different aspects of construction.
Ultimately, being a builder is a rewarding career. Your endeavour brings joy and happiness to those occupying quality construction works. But one must sacrifice and be fully prepared for the path to becoming a builder. As mentioned earlier, with a can-do attitude, you will certainly have what it takes to become one.
