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Building Contractor

Also known as Builder.

Building contractors coordinate the construction of dwellings and other structures.

TASKS

Building contractors may perform the following tasks:

examine and interpret clients' plans or arrange the drawing of plans to meet building regulations
submit tenders (offers to do jobs at a stated price), quotes or prices for a project to clients
arrange the submission of plans to local authorities for approval and arrange inspections of building work
organise employees and/or subcontractors to carry out all stages of building and negotiate rates of pay
calculate quantities of materials required for building projects and order these from building suppliers or advertise for tenders
arrange delivery times of materials to coincide with various stages of the building process
supervise the work of employees and/or subcontractors to ensure buildings are of an acceptable standard and are proceeding according to the contract requirements and programme schedule
coordinate the activities of office staff involved in the preparation and payment of accounts
comply with state and federal legal statutory contract law

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

good communication and interpersonal skills
management and leadership skills
good planning and organisational skills
aptitude for technical activities

Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a building contractor you usually have to complete a VOC qualification in building and construction. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a building contractor by studying construction management or building at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required.

A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

In the ACT, building contractors must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid builder's licence. Contact the ACT Planning Authority for more information. In NSW, building contractors carrying out work valued at more than $1000 must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid building contractor's licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. To gain a builder's license you must have completed training and have at least two years of relevant industry experience. See their website for more information.

All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). In NSW, training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations authorised by SafeWork NSW. In the ACT, training is provided by Registered Training Organisations approved by WorkSafe ACT.

Those with appropriate building qualifications may be eligible to become members of the Australian Institute of Building.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Most building contractors are self-employed as sole proprietors, work as partners in small companies or work as company directors in larger firms. Building contractors may specialise in one area of construction (such as new homes, extensions and renovations of established homes or commercial building construction).

Most work is available in the metropolitan area, although there are some opportunities to work in country areas, particularly in centres of mining activity. Due to variations in industry demand, employment opportunities are subject to change. In periods of low activity, builders with a trade qualification may seek alternative employment in their original trade area.