Construction general contractor

Construction general contractors take on the responsibility to deliver a construction project. They participate on bid processes for construction projects and hire subcontractors to deliver the different stages of the construction process from beginning to completion. They make sure subcontractors hold up their part of the agreement and work in the construction site to make sure the project is delivered in time and according to agreed standards.

The following job titles also refer to construction general contractor:

construction contactor
construction site contractor
construction project manager
general contractor in construction

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as construction general contractor. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction general contractor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction general contractor.

quantity surveyor
property developer
construction manager
construction engineer
installation engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction general contractor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction general contractor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction general contractor.

Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
Contract law: The field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.
Real estate market: The trends concerning the buying, selling, or renting of property, including the land, buildings, and natural resources encompassed within the property; the categories of residential properties and properties for business purposes which such properties are traded in.

These skills are necessary for the role of construction general contractor.

Audit contractors: Examine and document different industry contractors, in order to determine whether they comply with regulations and standards in relation to safety, environment and quality of design, construction and testing, etc.
Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
Assess construction compliance: Determine whether a construction complies with laws and regulations.
Perform quality control of design during a run: Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
Monitor parameters’ compliance in construction projects: Monitors progress in construction sites and the compliance of various parameters outlined in the design phase such as quality, costs, timeline, and contractors’ responsibilities.
Identify customer objectives: Identify individual motives resulting in short, medium and long term fitness goals.
Ensure compliance with construction project deadline: Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.
Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Monitor contractor performance: Manage the performance of the contractor, assess whether they are meeting the agreed standard and correct underperformance if needed.

Monitor construction site: Keep an overview of what happens at the construction site at all times. Identify who is present and what stage of the construction work each crew is in.
Coordinate construction activities: Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction general contractor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Zero-energy building design: The design and building principle whereby the net amount of energy used by the building equals the amount of renewable energy created by the building itself. The concept refers to self-sustaining constructions.
Design principles: The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
Project commissioning: Process of supervising the correct functioning of systems, buildings or plants during the final stages before deployment.
Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
Building codes: The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.
Energy efficiency: Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
Decommissioning: Expertise in removing things from active service or dismantling objects such as power plants, weapons and ships.
Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
Renewable energy technologies: The different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increasing degree, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, photovoltaics, and concentrated solar power.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction general contractor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Communicate with construction crews: Exchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any changes in the schedule or procedures.
Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
Plan allocation of space: Plan best allocation and utilisation of space and resources, or re-organise current premises.
Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
Coordinate marketing plan actions: Manage the overview of the marketing actions such as the marketing planning, internal financial resource granting, advertising materials, implementation, control, and communication efforts.
Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
Advise architects: Give advice on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.
Review construction projects: Review the documents and applications for building projects, discuss necessary changes with the contractors, and forward the documents to the building authorities if needed. Document any deviation from the original plans and inform the authorities.

1323 – Construction managers

 

 

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References

1. Construction general contractor – ESCO