Houses & Buildings

Builders organise the materials and equipment required to construct a building, as well as manage the construction of a building.

Builders plan building constructions for buildings such as houses, hotels, schools, shops, office blocks or hospitals. They supervise the construction of the building to ensure that it follows building standards, is safe and is well made.

Builders manage all aspects of the construction of a building and ensure that there are enough labourers and materials. They talk with other people who may be involved in the building project, such as architects, engineers and local council inspectors, to ensure that the building is constructed according to the plan.

Builders examine and interpret a clients' plans or arrange for an architect or drawer to develop plans to meet building regulations and client requirements. They may also arrange the  submission of plans to local councils for approval and arrange inspections of the building work at various stages throughout the construction process. 

Builders oversee and undertake a range of projects in the construction industry. These may include the construction of homes or other buildings, the repair of existing building structures, or the alteration of buildings to give them new form and function. They may liaise with clients to work out the best way to undertake a project, work out quotes for the project, arrange plans for the project with local authorities, organise subcontractors to complete particular work, make calculations about quantities of materials needed, supervise the project and co-ordinate the activities of the building team and other staff, and undertake some of the building work themselves.


ANZSCO description: 133112: Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the construction, alteration and renovation of dwellings and other buildings, and the physical and human resources involved in the building process. Registration or licensing is required.

Alternative names: Building Contractor, Professional Builder

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Builders need:

• an thorough knowledge of building methods and standards
• technical aptitude
• good time management skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• good communication skills
• management and leadership skills
• good organisational skills
• physical fitness and strength
• the ability to work at heights
• an understanding of health and safety requirements
• a thorough understanding of building codes and regulations
• problem solving skills.

Duties and Tasks

• submit quotes or prices for the project to clients
• organise and coordinate subcontractors to carry out various stages of the building and negotiate rates of pay
• calculate the quantities of building materials required for a project and order these from building suppliers
• supervise the work of subcontractors to ensure buildings are of an acceptable standard and are proceeding according to schedule
• coordinate payment of accounts for materials and wages for subcontractors
• study architectural plans or drafted drawings
• estimate and order building supplies required
• manage and supervise employees and subcontractors to maintain quality and deadlines
• make sure the building work meets all rules and regulations
• arrange for any necessary inspections.
• communicate with lawyers and banks on matters relating to loans and contracts for building projects
• perform various parts of the building work personally.

Working conditions

Builders usually work outdoors as part of a construction team, often in large industrial conditions, with loud, and potentially dangerous equipment. They work with building materials such as wood, steel, cement, plaster and stone, and the fittings and materials that are used to join and finish these. Due to the hazardous nature of much construction work and the exposure to the elements that accompanies it, builders are usually required to wear safety equipment such as hard hats, steel-capped work boots, ear protection and protective wet-weather clothing.

Builders may also work in offices co-ordinating the administrative elements of a building project, or liaising with clients or local authorities.

Tools and technologies

As they work on construction sites, builders will usually need to know how to use a range of construction-related equipment such as power and hand tools, measuring equipment, machinery like cement mixers and utility vehicles. They also need to know how to use building materials such as timber, steel, cement and plaster, and how to work with these in construction processes.

As they may also work in an office undertaking administrative tasks, they may also be required to use general office equipment, including computers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a builder, you usually need to complete a formal qualification in building and construction or construction management. A range of training options exist, with formal qualifications available at certificate, diploma and degree levels.

Training is available through completion of an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. The length of your training can vary and may be undertaken both on and off the job. Entry requirements  generally require at least successful completion of Year 10.

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) [Builder’s Registration] and the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a degree majoring in construction management.

Some universities in Australia offer relevant courses.

Most builders will generally have worked for a number of years in building and construction positions before progressing to a project builder role. They may be required to complete further studies in construction management.

Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (commonly known as a “white card”). 

 

 

   Houses & Buildings

 

 

Labourers undertake a range of practical and manual tasks in the building and construction industry. They assist building and construction personnel by loading and unloading materials, tools and equipment, digging trenches and erecting scaffolding or barricades. They also mix, pour and mould building materials, sweep building foundations or paving bases, apply asphalt or other materials to paths and roads, and operate building and construction or paving machinery. They may also assemble and install piping, sanitary units such as showers and basins, and valves and fittings. Labourers work all over the state, assisting in the construction of homes, offices, schools, hospitals, roads and pathways.


ANZSCO description: 821111: Labourers undertake a range of practical and manual tasks involved in the building and construction industry.

Alternative names: Labourer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A labourer needs:

• physical strength and stamina

• practical and manual skills

• the ability to follow instructions

• problem solving skills

• the ability to work as part of a team

• to be able to work at heights.
  

Working conditions

Labourers work on building and construction sites. They are required to work in most weather conditions, and the work environment may be hot and dusty. They usually work regular hours, but may be required to work additional hours at times. They are often required to travel locally to building sites, and may work on a different site every day. Conditions may be hazardous and labourers are often required to use safety equipment, wear protective clothing and to conform to strict safety guidelines.


Tools and technologies

Labourers often work with building materials such as concrete, plaster and mortar, asphalt and other road surfacing materials, as well as wood and bricks. They also often use hand and power tools, and may also use shovels and brooms, as well as construction machinery and equipment. They also work with safety equipment such as rigging, scaffolding and safety harnesses, and are required to wear protective clothing such as boots, goggles, gloves, hard-hats and earmuffs.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a builder’s labourer without any formal qualifications and get training on the job.

Alternatively you can complete a traineeship. The builder’s labourer traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete and is available as a school-based traineeship.

Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (commonly known as a “white card”).

   Houses & Buildings

 

 

Building contractors coordinate the construction of dwellings and other buildings. In construction, a contractor is an organisation (or sometimes a person), hired by the client to carry out the work that is required for the completion of a project.

Nevertheless, contractors don’t always have the expertise or the trades that are needed for completing all construction work by themselves. For that reason, they are also in charge of appointing subcontractors who would be able to complete some parts of the project. Normally, there will be a significant number of subcontractors involved in a construction project.

It goes without saying that the role of a contractor has many different levels as they are responsible for a wide range of tasks and people.

Contractors can serve a construction project from many different roles and positions. That of a general contractor (main contractor) is potentially the most influential of all.

A general contractor is responsible for a plethora of details in the course of a construction project. Finding the right people to get the job done is probably one of their most important missions.

 

ANZSCO ID: N/A May 2024

Alternative names: General Contractor, Prime Contractor, Principal
Contractor,

Specialisations: Design & Build Contractor,

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• good communication skills
• management and leadership skills
• good organisational skills
• good at technical activities.

 

(Source: LetsBuild)

 

Duties and Tasks

 

Taking care of materials, equipment, and any other services required for the smooth development of the project is part of their job. This is also where subcontractors can provide valuable help, as in most cases they have their own network which can support the progress of the project.

Furthermore, here are some of the most common project aspects that a general contractor can be responsible for:

Building permits application
Property security
Providing (temporary) facilities on site
Taking care of generated waste
On-site personnel management
Site surveying
Site engineering
Schedule monitoring

 

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 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 subcontractors to make sure that buildings are of an acceptable standard and are proceeding according to the contract requirements and program schedule
• coordinate the activities of office staff involved in the preparation and payment of accounts
• comply with state and federal legal statutory contract law.
  

Working conditions

Building contractors usually work outdoors as part of a construction team, often in large industrial conditions, with loud, and potentially dangerous equipment. They work with building materials such as wood, steel, cement, plaster and stone, and the fittings and materials that are used to join and finish these. Due to the hazardous nature of much construction work and the exposure to the elements that accompanies it, builders are usually required to wear safety equipment such as hard hats, steel-capped work boots, ear protection and protective wet-weather clothing.

Building contractors may also work in offices co-ordinating the administrative elements of a building project, or liaising with clients or local authorities.

Tools and technologies

As they work on construction sites, building contractors will usually need to know how to use a range of construction-related equipment such as power and hand tools, measuring equipment, machinery like cement mixers and utility vehicles. They also need to know how to use building materials such as timber, steel, cement and plaster, and how to work with these in construction processes.

As they may also work in an office undertaking administrative tasks, they may also be required to use general office equipment, including computers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a builder and then a building contractor, you usually need to complete a formal qualification in building and construction or construction management. A range of training options exist, with formal qualifications available at certificate, diploma and degree levels.

Training is available through completion of an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. The length of your training can vary and may be undertaken both on and off the job. Entry requirements  generally require at least successful completion of Year 10.

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) [Builder’s Registration] and the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a degree majoring in construction management.

Some universities in Australia offer relevant courses.

Most builders will generally have worked for a number of years in building and construction positions before progressing to a project builder role. They may be required to complete further studies in construction management.

Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (commonly known as a “white card”). 

   Houses & Buildings
  

Project Builders manage the construction, alteration and renovation of dwellings and other buildings. Also, they might belong to a house building company which specialise in designing and building homes in volume - "project homes". Unlike ‘one-off’ home builders, project home builders offer the ability to walk through display homes to experience all they have to offer. It is a valuable facility to truly understand the dimensions and layout of a floor plan and to gauge how it matches your lifestyle needs. You can also inspect the workmanship and quality of finishes and fixtures. All homes, within a category, have been designed by an architect and don't offer too much flexibility to the design.

Project Homes
(Source: Mark Lawler Architects)

ANZSCO ID: 133112

Knowledge, skills and attributes   

Project Builders need:

• an thorough knowledge of building methods and standards
• technical aptitude
• good time management skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• good communication skills
• management and leadership skills
• good organisational skills
• physical fitness and strength
• the ability to work at heights
• an understanding of health and safety requirements
• a thorough understanding of building codes and regulations
• problem solving skills.

       
(Source: Orbit Homes)

 

Duties and Tasks

• interprets architectural drawings and specifications

• co-ordinates labour resources from project home building company, and the procurement and delivery of materials, plant and equipment

• consults engineering professionals and other professionals, and technical and trades workers

• negotiates with building owners and subcontractors involved in the construction process to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget

• prepares tenders and contract bids

• implements co-ordinated work programs for sites

• ensures adherence to building legislation and standards of performance, quality, cost and safety

• arranges submission of plans to local authorities

• builds under contract or subcontracting specialised building services

• oversees the standard and progress of subcontractors' work

• arranging building inspections by local authorities.

Did You Know? The prominence of project homes in the Australian housing market is a relatively recent phenomenon commencing in the 1970’s and growing through the 1980’s. Today, project homes account for the vast majority of freestanding houses built in Australian residential subdivisions. A project home is defined as a standard house design which is replicated on numerous sites with limited variations and built by residential builders. Prior to the advent of project homes, most houses built in Australia were custom designs built by a local licensed builder who, due to limited resources and labour, would undertake no more than 3 to 6 houses at any one time. Now, larger project home builders in NSW commence can 20 to 40 houses in a single month! Knock-down and re-build as a Project Home (Source: Rawson Homes)

 

Working conditions

 

Project Builders usually work outdoors as part of a construction team, with loud, and potentially dangerous equipment. They work with building materials such as wood, steel, cement, plaster and stone, and the fittings and materials that are used to join and finish these. Due to the hazardous nature of much construction work and the exposure to the elements that accompanies it, project builders are usually required to wear safety equipment such as hard hats, steel-capped work boots, ear protection and protective wet-weather clothing.

Project Builders may also work in offices co-ordinating the administrative elements of a building project, or liaising with clients or local authorities.

Tools and technologies

As they work on construction sites, project builders will usually need to know how to use a range of construction-related equipment such as power and hand tools, measuring equipment, machinery like cement mixers and utility vehicles. They also need to know how to use building materials such as timber, steel, cement and plaster, and how to work with these in construction processes.

As they may also work in an office undertaking administrative tasks, they may also be required to use general office equipment, including computers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a project builder, you usually need to gain a qualification in building and construction. You usually need a certificate IV in building and construction or have a trade background to work as a Project Builder.

The Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) is offered at TAFE colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

Most project builders will generally have worked for a number of years in building and construction positions before progressing to a project builder role.

Registration or licencing may be required: Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (commonly known as a “white card”).

Careers - Nathan Klein with McDonald Jones [Houses]

https://youtu.be/e5E2pGE058o

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs 

Architect	Bank Officer	Bricklayer	Building Inspector
Carpenter	Construction Project Manager	Electrician	Landscape Architect
Local Government Inspector	Painter	Plasterer	Plumber
Quantity Surveyor	Roofer	Stonemason	Surveyor
Tiler	WHS Officer

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Builder's Labourer; Project Builder; ]
WebArchive Only - CareerHQ [Builder;]
Wisdom Homes [Project Homes; ]
Lets Build [Contractor; ]
Your Career [Project Builder; Builder's Labourer;]

 

 

 

 

 

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