Job Description of General Contractors
General contractors direct, organize, plan and manage construction projects. They are also referred to as construction managers, project managers, construction superintendents, project engineers and construction supervisors. They supervise a wide variety of projects, including the construction of homes, offices, hospitals or government buildings. Some general contractors manage a project from the conceptual design to the last construction task, but others oversee only a specific part of a larger project.
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Function and Duties
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Most construction jobs are just too large for one person to manage. General contractors bring their expertise of building coordination to a project and supervise and organize the construction process. General contractors hire individuals with specialized expertise to carry out each part of the construction process. They determine the best way to get supplies and workers to the job site and supervise the process to make sure the work being done is in tune with regulations. A large part of their work is communicating with workers and the owners and coordinating logistics to ensure the project time line is kept.
Education Requirements
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General contractors interested in working for a large construction company should have a bachelor's degree in construction science or a related field. More companies are requiring a four-year degree, but considerable experience in general construction or specific construction craft and a two-year degree, or some combination of the two, can lead to a job as a general contractor. For those looking to enter into the field and become self-employed, many states require individuals to pass an exam. Some states allow personal property owners to act as their own general contractor when building their home or business.
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Skills
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General contractors need good communication skills, as much of their time is spent negotiating and communicating with owners and workers involved with projects. A thorough knowledge of construction methods and materials is vital to successfully completing complicated building projects. Self-employed general contractors also need good business management and marketing skills to run a successful business.
Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general contractors held 551,000 jobs in 2008. Of that number, 61 percent were self-employed. Employment of general contractors is projected to increase 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than the national average for all professions.
Salary
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Salaries of general contractors vary widely. This is due to the field of construction, size of projects, location of building and building costs in an area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages of salaried construction managers in May 2008 were $79,860. The middle 50 percent earned between $60,650 and $107,140. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $47,000 and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $145,920.
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References
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- Photo Credit Hard working construction worker at a construction scene. image by Andy Dean from Fotolia.com
