Building construction can be compared to a roller coaster with its ups and downs and unpredictability. Economic conditions, locations, changes in taxes/interest rates, and the increase or decline of a city, are all factors that affect building construction jobs.
Building construction can be divided into different sections, but there are many specific types of construction workers, the first being contractors. Contractors build commercial, residential, and other types of buildings. Contractors have many responsibilities and can subcontract the job to other construction contractors.
Another type of contractor is a specialty-trade contractor, who provides a specific service such as plumbing, electrical work, painting, or carpentry. Being that they only have the responsibility in their specific area, that is the only section they focus on. Trade contractors have no input on the construction design and exterior of the building. They are responsible for the construction safety in their area of expertise. Heavy and civil engineering is another type of section which focuses on bridges, highways, tunnels, and roads.
A construction bid is just like bidding on and then buying a site; you state how much you are willing to do the projects for. There are a few questions you must answer before putting your construction bid in. How much will the supplies cost? What are the rates for the subcontractors? It is also important to bid on more than one project at a time so that you are not relying on one job. Don’t bid just to bid, make sure you are willing to do the work for the agreed amount if you are awarded the job. You must have patience, and if you are rejected for a construction bid, remember to not take it personally; it is a business. When looking at construction bids, it is also important to give a detailed plan or outline for the employer. Let them know you are a professional and should be taken seriously.
Education for building construction will vary depending on the specific field you are involved in. Usually those who enter the building construction field enter as basic laborers and later become apprentices. There is a lot of on-the-job training, including the former training you would receive in trade schools. If you enter a formal trade school you will have more opportunities to work on your desired skills and will have room for advancement in your career.
The work hours may be very long depending on the type of project being done for building construction. The more complicated the jobs are, the more likely the chance for over-time work as well. With the building construction jobs being done outside, the weather plays an important role in how much time is involved with the job. You only get paid for how many hours are put in actually working at the job, so when rain, snow, and extreme conditions are a factor, that will affect your paycheck. Building construction is a grueling job that requires a person to have not only the mental skills for a job to do it properly and efficiently, but also to have the physical skills. Long hours will have workers standing for long periods of time with little breaks. With building construction being such a dangerous job, construction safety comes first. Obviously helmets and brightly colored clothing should be worn, especially if you are working as a civil engineer, at night on a road.
The salary for a person working in the building construction field will depend on work experience, skill level, and education and training. Hourly pay can range from $17–$35. Non-residential construction and civil engineering usually have the highest wages because the projects are more complicated and take longer than a residential house. Building construction managers make the highest wages because their responsibilities are numerous: they have to make sure the project is on schedule, that spending costs do not exceed the original estimate, and must supervise their crew. Those trained in plumbing and electrical work will on average get paid more do to the training and education needed.
Building construction is expected to grow over the next decade. Older buildings will need to be refurbished and torn down to make way for the next generation. More employers will look to those who have special training in specific areas and are well trained by more experienced workers. Depending on the difficult nature of the job, employers will need those who are willing to work in extreme conditions. The further you go in your education, the more you will add to your hiring ability. Laborers who have basic knowledge should expect competition to do the little training that is needed for such jobs. During natural disasters building construction will rise to repair houses and non-residential buildings.
