Excited to start construction on your new house or office space? Adding an addition to your small business? Looking to do some construction on your home? In all cases, you’ll be looking to hire an expert team to get the job done right. However, if you’re new to the construction process, it might be difficult to understand the who’s who of a building site.
As an Architecture and Design Consultant, as well as in my roles as Facilities Manager and Project Manager, I’ve worked with so many amazing, skilled people. It took time to learn exactly what each person was responsible for, but understanding those dynamics made the results of our work all the more impressive. Teamwork is key to amazing results in architecture and design! Based on my expertise, here are seven key people you should be familiar with on a building site.
1. Construction Manager:
The leader of the whole operation, the Construction Manager is responsible for overseeing the entirety of a project from start to finish. They might operate individually or work with other Construction Managers depending on the size and complexity of the project. Their responsibilities include planning, budgeting, and tracking the progress of the entire process. Before the construction event starts, the Construction Manager will decide the materials to be used, plan the employee schedule, and create a timetable for the project. They are always on call and must maintain constant communication with employees and the client(s). As the client your Construction Manager should undoubtedly be able to answer any questions or address your concerns!
2. Estimator:
The estimator is responsible for determining all costs, materials, and labor needed to complete the project. They must be fully aware of the project details and use complex software to determine the budgetary limitations for construction.
3. Architect:
While the Construction Manager handles all the logistics and organization, the Architect provides a creative vision and solution. They will take the clients’ taste and aesthetic and turn it into a cohesive plan that works with the environmental and budget as set by the Estimator. It’s also the Architect’s responsibility to communicate that plan to the rest of the team and ensure that it's implemented down to the last detail.
4. Supervisor:
Someone has to maintain communication between management and the employees on site. The Supervisor serves as an intermediary to ensure effective communication and a smooth workflow. Your Supervisor will likely be running around making sure everyone is up to date on changes or daily tasks!
5. Engineer:
Engineers are critical for a job site as well and will likely be specialized in building, electrical, mechanical, highway, or heavy engineering. They are there to ensure that the plans for the project, drawn up by the Architect, are going to work effectively and safely.
6. Construction Workers:
This one might seem fairly obvious, but of course, there will be plenty of Construction Workers on site! They are the driving force and arguably the most important people on site. Without them, nothing would get done! Once the project plan is realized by the Architect and the management agrees on a strategy, the Construction Workers get started making your dream a reality. They might be responsible for demolition, building, operating heavy machinery, lifting large objects, and performing delicate construction tasks. They must be excellent at their craft, while also being able to follow instructions and work well in a team.
7. Construction Foreman:
If you see someone shouting orders over the sound of machines during the work day, that’s probably the Construction Foreman. Their goal is overseeing all the Construction Workers on site. They are a team leader in every sense of the word, and must keep track of all tasks and timecards. They are also responsible for any injuries or problems that occur during construction, which means they must always be alert and focused! They handle personnel payroll and hiring or promotion for their team.
You might be wondering, where would an Architecture and Design Consultant fall in the system of a construction site? I work alongside the Construction Manager, Estimator, Construction Foreman, and Architect to make sure that all decisions are made in the interests of the client. My role allows me to get the very best results in terms of both functionality and aesthetics because I’m right in the middle of the operation!
To get more advice on the ins and outs of a construction site or project process, or to book a consultation for an ongoing project, contact me at https://linamushcab.com/contact/.