Many different companies work together to build a construction project. Therefore, recruiters expect aspiring apprentices, trainees, and graduates to understand how a project comes to be made.
This article describes the typical process of how a construction project is built. Still, some more prominent firms offer a design-and-build service where they take on the regular work. Both a consultant and a General contractor are needed to finish the task faster. Keep in mind that large projects can take years to get from the initial idea to fully completed.
A construction project starts with the client.
Who decides something should be built. For example, the client might be a property development company, a local authority, a central government department, a private business, or an individual.
The client is the person who chooses what it wants to build, the timeframe in which it should be created, and how much it should require.
The client then hires consultants.
Who will advise it on concerns relating to the design, cost, and any regulations? The client could hire several consultancies or one consultancy to guide on everything. Either way, one consultant organization will often supervise the project on behalf of the client.
Standard consultant organizations include:
- architecture practices
- expense consultancy (quantity surveying) employers
- civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering employers.
Consultants, then, look after the design view of the project – they design the structure and work out how much that design will require to make. Once this has been settled, they decide which construction contractor should do the construction work. Finally, contractors have to ‘bid’ for the job.
What’s it like to work for a consultant?
Did you know if you operate at a consultancy, your work will be in the design phase? First, architects design the project. Civil engineers ensure that the technical specifications on plans will work, and quantity surveyors cost how much the design would take.
- You work in a facility… seldom do you get to visit sites, and occasionally you could be ‘the second (sent) to work on a site, but this is an office job.
- You work office times (typically 8.30 am – 6.00 pm) but may have to work more hours if close to a deadline.
- You usually work on several projects at an equal time.
- As you run on a project in its early stages, it may take some time before you see the finished project in progress.
The consultant takes contractors to carry out the construction work.
Once the general contractor has obtained the work from the consultants, construction starts on site. Contractors guarantee the project is built to the agreed condition, budget, and timeframe. In addition, they take guidance about the design from the design consultancy and run any design-related obstacles past them.
What’s it like to work for a contractor?
Job positions with contactors include site managers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and trades or craft people.
- You work on places (or from a temporary office on-site) in all weathers.
- Depending on the project, you might be required to work shifts or overnight.
- Working hours are longer on-site (typically 7.30 am – 6.00 pm), and you may need to work longer hours if something gets behind schedule.
- You typically work on an individual project at a time.
- You get to view things being built before your very eyes but don’t get to change the original design.
