The construction of a building is a complex process that requires many professionals to work together.
The client:
probably the most important person (or corporate group of persons), as they are the reason the project is going ahead.
the client will be an individual, company or organisation and they will employ contractors directly or indirectly.
The site manager:
Responsible for:
overseeing operations on a day-to-day basis.
ensuring that work is done safely, on time, within budget and to the right quality standards.
taking on staff, site preparation, planning the work, installing temporary offices.
overseeing delivery of materials.
carries out safety checks.
liaises with architects, engineers, surveyors and planners.
ensures that work complies with building regulations, health and safety legislation, and any other legal requirements.
acts as the first point of contact for members of the public and sub-contractors.
The site safety officer
develops, implements and enforces policies that reduce the risk of accidents.
inspects sites to determine if hazards are present, and establishes procedures and policies to overcome any hazardous situations.
identifes broken equipment, defective tools and other potential hazards.
determines the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
makes sure that workers know how to operate and use tools and equipment.
conducts investigations of all accidents and near-misses.
responds to employees’ safety concerns.
coordinates registration and removal of hazardous waste.
The structural engineer
works closely with the architect to find the most efficient method of construction.
calculates loads, forces, and variances from wind and rain, looking at structural safety.
is sometimes involved in insurance claims, repair work and alterations to properties.
The supervisor
sometimes known as the general foreman.
on smaller projects, they are the main point of contact for all trades.
on larger sites, they report to the contracts manager.
The contracts manager
oversees projects from the start through to completion, ensuring that work is completed on time and within its budget.
is at all times, and for as long as the contract lasts, the first point of contact for members of the public, clients, site managers and sub-contractors.
Co-workers
these are persons with whom you may work, who are in a similar role or at a similar level within the organisation.
they may be other electrical engineers, or other building contractors with whom you have to co-ordinate work.
The architect
is the designer of the project and is considered the leader of the management team.
convert the clients’ ideas and requirements into a building design and working drawings.
liaises regularly with the client at the early stages, and throughout the project.
The surveyor
is sometimes known as the building surveyor.
positions the building on the land.
ensures that Building Regulations are followed throughout the process.
discusses problems as construction progresses and tries to resolve difficulties.
ensures that the building process is being carried out correctly.
Clerk of works
acts as the architect’s representative on site.
ensures that the building is constructed according to the drawings.
checks the standard of work and quality of materials.
liaises regularly with the architect and the construction teams on site.
can sign a variation order.
BSE engineer
designs the internal services within the building, which will be cost effective, environmentally sensitive and with good maintenance access.
is responsible for: heating and ventilation; plumbing; electrical distribution; fire protection; lifts; escalators; acoustics.
The contractor
will enter into a contract with the client to carry out the work in accordance with the drawings, bill of quantities and specification.
each contractor will tender for jobs.
they will employ specialists within the trade to undertake key roles.
The quantity surveyor
suggests construction methods that are within the clients’ budget.
calculates the amount of labour and materials required to complete the project.
visits site to measure work carried out in order to produce interim payments and final accounts.
The buyer
sources all the materials needed to complete a project, by obtaining quotations from suppliers for materials, with delivery times and quality assurance.
The estimator
breaks down the bill of quantities into unit parts which represent the amount it will cost a contractor to complete each stage. To this they will add company overheads and profit margins.
