Construction

Construction JobS

estimator

Estimators work out how much it will cost for a company to supply products and services to its clients.

​You will work out how much it costs to supply products or services to clients.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:
  • Researching materials, equipment, transport and labour costs
  • Collecting quotes from materials suppliers and sub-contractors
  • Helping plan job timescales
  • Assessing the levels of risk on a project
  • Analysing company data, exchange rates and prices
  • Preparing and submitting quotations and cost summaries for work
  • Helping with bids for new contracts and supporting buying activities
  • Monitoring the stages of a project to make sure costs are kept in line with forecasts

In a larger company you may look after just the one area, like labour or materials.

designer

You would plan and supervise the decoration of people’s homes, offices, hotels, shops and restaurants so they are attractive places to live and work.

It would be your job to come up with designs for the inside of buildings. You would ask your clients what they are going to use the room for and create a scheme that is practical as well as beautiful.

You would:
  • Meet clients to discuss their requirements and ideas
  • Develop designs to suit clients' needs, their budget and the type of building
  • Prepare initial sketches or models for the client to approve
  • Advise on colour schemes, fabrics, fittings and furniture
  • Work out costs and prepare estimates
  • Create detailed drawings from the initial sketches, usually using computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Find fittings, furniture, fabrics, and wall and floor coverings

The client may ask you to recommend or hire people to carry out the work on site.

If so, then you would contact the necessary people, explain the requirements and schedule the work. You would need to organise deliveries of the materials and supervise the progress of the work, sorting out unforeseen problems.

As well as being creative and artistic, you will also need to make sure you are organised and aware of building and safety regulations.

Architect

You would design new buildings so that people have practical, attractive, safe places in which to live and work.

You might also restore old buildings so they can be used for a new purpose.

You would be responsible for a building project from the earliest stages through to completion, including designing the land around the building.

You would talk with clients about their needs and expectations and draw designs for them to see and approve.

Once you and your clients have agreed the design, you would:
  • Produce a set of detailed technical plans using computer aided design software (CAD)
  • Give the clients precise dimensions and materials of the design
  • Work closely with contractors, engineers, surveyors, lawyers and planning departments
  • You'd manage the construction process and regularly inspect the construction work to check progress. You'd control the budget and deal with planning issues.

You would work closely with other construction professionals to ensure the building meets safety standards, building regulations and planning laws. It would also be useful to have an awareness of the social and environmental impact of your work.

On larger jobs, you are likely to be part of a team alongside other architects and architectural technicians or technologists.

ELECTRICIAN

You would make sure that electrical systems in people’s homes and businesses work safely. You would fix faults and install new systems.

You might set up and maintain power systems for engineering projects and buildings or ensure that street lights work.

You could also work on renewable technology, such as wind turbines, 'smart' heating systems and photovoltaic systems that produce solar power.

You would:
  • Fit and repair electrical circuits and wiring
  • Follow technical drawings, building plans and wiring diagrams
  • Make sure that electrotechnical systems work
  • Find and fix faults in the systems
  • Install and maintain electrical equipment, instruments and machinery
  • You’d need to understand the importance of safety regulations and work carefully and methodically. You might work outdoors, sometimes in bad weather. You might need to work high up or in small confined spaces.

You could specialise in an electrotechnical role such as:
  • Installation electrician - you would install power systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings
  • Maintenance electrician - you would check systems regularly to make sure that they work efficiently and safely
  • Electrotechnical panel builder - you would build and install the control panels that people use to operate the electrical systems inside buildings
  • Machine repair and rewind electrician - you would make sure electrical motors and other machinery like transformers work properly
  • Highway systems electrician - you would install and maintain street lights and traffic management systems which give signals to people using roads and motorways
You could work in all kinds of places including homes, offices, shops and sports stadiums. You may also supervise a team of people.

Fencer

You’ll usually work as part of a team under the supervision of a lead installer or foreperson. You might work on any of the following:
  • boundary fencing for homes and farms
  • vehicle barriers for roads and motorways
  • soundproof barriers for places like airports
  • parapets and bridges
  • security fencing for prisons and airports
  • electric fencing and gates
You or your foreperson will discuss with the customer what type of fence they need and give them an estimate.

Your day-to-day duties could include:
  • removing old fencing
  • measuring and laying out new fence lines
  • levelling the ground
  • using hand tools or mechanical diggers 
  • positioning wooden, concrete or metal posts, and fixing them to a concrete base
  • cutting panels to size and fixing them to the posts
  • painting and weatherproofing
You’ll use a range of fencing materials, like timber, concrete, wire and metal.

Health & Safety Advisor

You would keep people safe from accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace. You would create health and safety policies and make sure employers and workers follow them.

Depending on your employer, your work could cover areas such as:

  • Fire safety
  • Occupational health
  • Noise
  • Safe use of machinery
  • Control of hazardous substances

You would:

  • Develop effective policies and procedures
  • Make regular inspections and risk assessments
  • Keep records of accidents
  • Advise on protective clothing and equipment
  • Train employees on safety issues
  • Investigate accidents and recommend improvements in safety standards
  • Write reports

You would work with Health and Safety Executive inspectors and trade unions.

You would need to have a good knowledge of health and safety legislation and keep up to date with changes in the law.

In some companies, responsibility for health and safety may be part of another job role such as personnel or facilities management.

painter & decorator

You would decorate and protect surfaces such as plaster, metal and wood to create pleasant spaces for people to live and work in.

You could work on everything from redecorating living rooms to painting large structures like bridges.

When working in a home, you would use paint, varnishes and wallpaper to decorate rooms. You would follow instructions about colours, textures and wallpaper patterns.

You would:
  • Measure areas to work out how much paint or wall covering you need
  • Strip off old wallpaper or paint
  • Fill holes and cracks and make sure surfaces are level
  • Prepare surfaces with primer and undercoat
  • Mix paint to the right shade, either by hand or using computerised colour-matching equipment
  • Apply layers of paint and hang wallpaper
  • Tidy up after finishing a job


On some jobs you might apply specialist finishes such as rag rolling, graining and marbling. You would often work from ladders or raised platforms to reach ceilings.

For industrial projects, such as bridges or ships, you would remove old paintwork with abrasive blasting methods before applying new coatings using industrial paint spraying equipment. You would use a cradle or safety harness when working.

Paints and solvents give off fumes, so you may have to wear a protective mask or use fume extraction equipment on some jobs.

You would need a good awareness of health and safety issues for this role.

pipe fitter

You will install and weld pipework on construction and engineering projects. Jobs can range from fitting heating systems in a hospital to installing pressure vessels and boilers in a factory.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:
  • Working out the best way to do a job based on engineering design plans
  • Installing and joining pipework and components using bolting and welding methods
  • Making or modifying parts in a workshop
  • Carrying out planned maintenance checks
  • Finding and fixing faults
  • Responding to emergency call-outs

You will need:
  • The ability to follow technical Diagrams
  • Maths skills
  • Practical ability
  • Problem solving skills

plasterer

You would work in people’s homes and other buildings to prepare the walls and ceilings for decorating and to protect the building from the weather.

You would apply different kinds of plaster to internal walls and ceilings. You would cover external walls with coatings, such as sand and cement render or pebble-dash.

You would calculate how much plaster you need for the size of the job. Once it is mixed and ready to use you would need to work quickly and accurately by hand.

As part of a small team, you would work on one of these processes:
  • Solid plastering – applying wet finishes to surfaces and putting protective coverings like pebble-dashing on external walls
  • Fibrous plastering – creating ornamental plasterwork, such as ceiling roses, cornices, and architraves, using a mixture of plaster and short fibres shaped with moulds and casts
  • Dry lining – fixing internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions by fastening them together on a timber or metal frame ready for decorating


You could work on small jobs, repairs and restoration in people’s homes . Other jobs could be at big commercial developments such as schools or hospitals.

project manager

You would plan and organise people and resources so a project achieves its aims.

You would get everyone working together effectively so the project is completed on time and on budget. You would spot problems that could arise in the project and work out how to solve them.

You could work in almost any industry on many different types of project. For example, you could oversee the introduction of a new computer system or a large building development. You would need to have technical knowledge relevant to the project.

Whatever the project, you would:
  • Find out what the client or company wants to achieve
  • Agree the timescales, costs and resources needed
  • Create a detailed plan and schedule for each stage of the project
  • Select and lead a project team
  • Negotiate with contractors and suppliers for materials and services
  • Make sure that each stage progresses according to the plan
  • Report regularly on progress to senior managers and the client
  • Manage risks to avoid delays

Part of your work would involve using particular project management methods such as PRINCE2 or Agile to break down the project into stages and check its progress.

You would also use specialised software to help with scheduling, costing, and risk analysis.

Quantity Surveyor

You would estimate and control the costs for a construction project from the early design plans through to the completed building. You would make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards.

Your client - the company or organisation which is paying for the building - would rely on you to make sure that the project is good value for money.

There are lots of different projects you could work on, including:
  • Housing and industrial sites
  • Retail and commercial developments
  • Roads, railways and waterways


You would:
  • Do feasibility studies to estimate the timescales and the costs of materials and labour
  • Negotiate with suppliers and draw up bids for tenders and contracts
  • Monitor the construction to make sure that costs are in line with forecasts
  • Regularly report on the costs
  • Advise your clients on legal and contractual matters
  • Act on clients' behalf to resolve disputes
  • Assess the financial costs of new environmental guidelines, such as using sustainable timber

You would use computer software to carry out some of these tasks, and to keep records, prepare work schedules and write reports. You might also deal with the maintenance and renovation costs once buildings are in use.

It would be important to have a good knowledge of construction methods and materials. You would also need to understand Building Regulations and other legal guidelines.

Site manager

You would supervise and direct operations on a construction project to make sure the building or structure is completed safely, on time and within the budget.

You’d manage the project on behalf of another company, your client. You’d lead and motivate the construction team and sort out any problems that arise during the project.

On small sites you might have full responsibility for the whole project. On larger sites you may be in charge of a particular section and report to a senior site manager.

Before the building work starts, you would:
  • Discuss plans with architects, surveyors and buyers
  • Plan work schedules using project management software
  • Hire employees
  • Arrange for materials to be delivered to the site
  • Set up temporary offices at the site

Once construction has started, you would:
  • Work closely with the workforce on site
  • Check progress, costs and quality
  • Make sure the work meets legal requirements and building regulations
  • Report regularly to your client

You would also be the main point of contact for subcontractors and the public.

As a senior manager, you could oversee several projects at the same time.

structural engineer

You would create and improve the structure for all kinds of building projects.

You would be a key part of a team of construction professionals. You might work on everything from houses, theatres and hospitals to bridges, oil rigs and space satellites.

You would:
  • Work with clients, architects, contractors and other professionals on construction plans
  • Develop design ideas using computer aided design (CAD)
  • Research different materials and decide which would be suitable for the job
  • Work out the loads and stresses on different parts of a structure
  • Use computer simulations to learn what will happen to structures under different conditions, such as high winds or earth tremors
  • Inspect unsafe buildings and recommend options for repairs or demolition
  • Make sure projects meet legal, environmental and health and safety requirements
  • Prepare bids for tenders
  • Manage project teams and give reports to clients and senior managers

You would need to come up with practical, attractive designs within a budget.

CARPENTER

You would install and repair the wood inside homes, shops and bars or you could build sets for film and TV.

You could work in people’s homes or on construction sites fitting out shops, bars and offices.

You would carefully measure the wood and cut it to the required size and shape to make things like doors, floors and fitted furniture. Then you would put it together and fix it inside the building.

You will need an eye for detail, good maths skills for working out measurements and the ability to follow technical plans.

You would:
  • Cut and shape timber for floorboards, skirting boards and window frames
  • Make and assemble doors, window frames, staircases and fitted furniture
  • Fit wooden structures, like floor and roof joists, roof timbers, staircases, partition walls, and door and window frames (first fixings)
  • Install skirting boards, door surrounds, doors, cupboards and shelving, as well as door handles and locks (second fixings)
  • Build temporary wooden supports to hold concrete in place while it sets, for example building foundations (formwork)
  • Make and fit interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings
  • Construct stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions

Taking an organised approach to your work and being aware of health and safety requirements would be important.

BUILDING SERVICES Engineer

You would make sure that systems like lighting, water and heating work well and save energy for people who live or work in a building.

You would design, install and service the systems used in buildings like offices and shops.

You would be responsible for the heating and ventilation, hot and cold water systems, lighting, electrical cabling and telecommunications networks inside a building like an office block.

You may be involved in the design and installation of systems or oversee their maintenance once up and running.

You would:
  • Draw up plans using computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling software
  • Estimate costs
  • Make sure projects meet building regulations and health and safety requirements
  • Attend meetings and present ideas and progress reports to managers and clients
  • Coordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople on site
  • Manage engineering inspection and maintenance programmes
  • Meet building suppliers to keep up to date with new product developments
You would analyse and interpret data to work out how to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and generally limit the environmental impact of buildings.

Glazier

You would fit glass in people’s windows and doors and replace broken glass panes.

You could fit double glazing at a house, install windows at a new office development or carry out glass repairs.

You would need to be able to follow technical drawings and plans. Accurate measurements will be important for cutting the glass to size and you would need to work carefully and precisely.

On a glass replacement job, you would
  • Select the correct glass for the job, for example safety glass to go in a shop front or security glass for a bank
  • Remove the old or broken panes, using tools like suction pads (for larger pieces), chisels and pliers
  • Remove the beading or putty from frames
  • Fit the new glass
  • Make the fitting watertight using sealants, rubber strips, or lead and aluminium flashing
You would normally use made-to-measure glass panes that have been cut to size in a workshop beforehand. You may need to make some small adjustments to shape pieces on site using diamond- or wheel-cutting tools.

As well as fitting glass, you could be involved in the manufacture of glazed units, such as timber or UPVC-framed windows and doors.

With experience, you may be able to use your skills on specialist projects, for example on churches or restoring listed buildings.

Some jobs involve working at heights from ladders, scaffolding or suspended cradles.

LABOURER

At the start of a job, you will help to prepare the site - putting up huts, unloading and storing building materials and setting up ladders and scaffolding. Much of this will be hard physical work.

Once work gets underway, your day-to-day tasks may include:
  • Groundworking - marking out and digging shallow trenches for foundations and drains
  • Formworking - putting up or dismantling the shuttering that holds setting concrete in place
  • Steel fixing - bending and fixing the bars used to reinforce concrete structures
  • Steel piling - fixing steel sheets together to form temporary retaining walls for excavation work
  • Concreting - layering and smoothing concrete for foundations, floors and beams
  • Road working - concreting, laying kerbs, paving and resurfacing

You will use various hand, power and machine tools. With further training, you may operate construction plant equipment like dumper trucks and excavators.

LAndscaper

You would construct, plant and look after gardens and parks to make pleasant environments for people to live, work and relax in.

You would make the most of the land or space you are working with to make it look attractive. Some landscapers specialise in interior projects with plants and garden features, often in shopping centres or large office blocks.

The work would vary depending on whether you are working inside or outside, the time of year and the condition of the space you are given. You would need to use a variety of tools, and possibly also machines like small mechanical diggers.

You would follow the designs drawn up by garden designers or landscape architects. You would use your knowledge of plants to ensure that they grow and thrive.

You would:
  • Discuss requirements with clients
  • Work from design plans
  • Order supplies
  • Prepare the ground or interior space
  • Turf and seed lawns
  • Plant and prune trees and shrubs
  • Put in new plants
  • Build features like paving, paths and water features
  • Construct rock or water gardens
After completing a project, you would advise the client on how to look after the space. You would offer an on-going maintenance service.

planner

You would lead development projects to preserve buildings and communities or give areas a new lease of life.

You would assess, design and manage projects in towns, cities and rural areas.

For example, you could:
  • Regenerate run-down estates
  • Redevelop former industrial or 'brownfield' sites
  • Conserve property in rural and urban areas


You would work on each stage of a project, from the initial site assessments right through to completion.

Depending on the project, you would:
  • Research market data like land and property records
  • Analyse figures using computer software
  • Assess whether plans are workable
  • Present your recommendations to the clients
  • Oversee planning applications
  • Raise money from funding bodies, investment companies and development agencies
  • Negotiate contracts and tenders
  • Advise clients about financial and legal matters such as compulsory purchases
  • Work out the likely economic, social and environmental impact of a development


You would work closely with town planners, architects and construction professionals.

It would be important to have good networking skills to make contacts and handle negotiations. You would need to have good knowledge of local planning policies and procedures. Understanding environmental and sustainable development issues would also be important.

When a project is completed, you might work in a marketing role to promote the development site.

plumber

You would fit and repair water and heating systems and appliances in homes and businesses. People who were having problems with their water supply or heating would rely on you to get these systems up and running again as soon as possible. 

You would:
  • Set up and service water supplies, heating systems and drainage
  • Find faults in equipment and repair them
  • Install and fix home appliances like showers, cookers, gas fires and washing machines
  • Service air-conditioning and ventilation units
  • Attend emergency call-outs to fix leaks, for example during cold weather
  • Fit weather-proof materials to roofs, chimneys and walls.
  • Use hand and power tools, including welding equipment

You would need to be good at following technical plans. You would also need to have a good understanding of safety rules.

As an experienced plumber, you might specialise in sheet metal work for industrial, commercial or historical buildings.

civil engineer

You would plan, design and manage construction projects for large buildings, transport links and major structures.

You would explain your ideas to the client and make sure that the project is finished on time and to budget.

The projects you would work on could be anything from bridges and tall buildings to transport links and sports arenas.

You could work in one of these specialist areas:

  • Structural - dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
  • Transportation – roads, railways, canals and airports
  • Environmental – water supply networks, drainage and flood barriers
  • Maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences
  • Geotechnical – mining, earthworks and construction foundations.

You would prepare the documents to try and win projects for your company. You would estimate how much it would cost, how long it would take and how many people would be needed to work on it.

At the start of the project you would:

  • Plan the project requirements with your client and colleagues
  • Use computer modelling software to analyse data from surveys, tests and maps
  • Create computer aided design (CAD) blueprints
  • Assess the environmental impact and the risks of a project

Once a project is underway you would:

  • Direct and check the progress during each stage of a project
  • Make sure the construction site meets the legal, and health and safety, requirements.
  • Report to your clients, public agencies and planning organisations

You would work closely with other professionals such as architects, surveyors and building contractors.