The Key Professionals In Any Construction Project
Construction is no minor matter. Most projects are complicated, long-lasting, and costly. They depend on a large team of various professionals, working side by side and constantly communicating. That’s why transparency and teamwork are essential for the success of a construction project.
From builders to engineers, everybody must be in sync for the building to turn out as it’s supposed to. Read below and find out who are the key players in most construction projects:
LAND SURVEYOR
Land surveyors break the ice! They arrive first on “the scene”. They use a variety of tools to measure and evaluate the site. Their job also includes research of survey records and legal documents, sketching, mapping, and writing reports. A land surveyor should have a degree in surveying, a sharp mind, an eye for detail, and be result-oriented.
ARCHITECTS
Architects are the soul of the team. They are artists who must have a deep understanding of art, history, science, and building regulations. Their job includes meeting with clients and listening to their vision, creating an appropriate design, and managing the project from start to finish.
Just like surveyors, architects need to have a degree, an eye for detail, and problem-solving abilities. They also need to have excellent drawing skills, experience with relevant programs (AutoCAD, Newforma, Adobe Creative Suite…), management skills, and powerful visualization.
BUILDERS
What the architect imagines, the builder creates. But this doesn’t mean that builders don’t play a crucial role. Without them, we literally wouldn’t have a place to sleep. Builders need to have a degree or equivalent certification, a deep understanding of materials, building techniques and tools, bravery, and an eye for detail.
Most construction projects don’t go exactly as planned, meaning there’s always an unpredictable situation that occurs during the job. That’s why the best builders are also highly creative individuals, with strong analytical skills, and a willingness to adapt.
ENGINEERS
If architecture is the soul, and building is the hand, then engineering is the brain. Engineers are mathematicians and scientists that analyze and solve problems cost-effectively and practically. A civil/structural engineer must have a bachelor's or master’s degree, excellent problem-solving skills, an analytical mind, and strong ethics.
The job is crucial for making sure the building is on budget, safe, durable, and compliant with building codes. Like all other fields, engineering must be up-to-date with technological advancements. For example, today’s engineering focuses on improving environmental impact.
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
Without quantity surveyors, a construction project can quickly go above budget. A quantity surveyor reviews building plans, estimates the cost, does a risk assessment, advises the rest of the team, makes regular reports, and documents even the tiniest changes in a project. These professionals need to have a bachelor's degree in surveying, engineering, or management, strong analytical and organizational skills, industry contacts, knowledge of construction, and excellent communication abilities.
PROJECT MANAGERS
Project managers are the captains of the ship. They make sure everything is going as smoothly as possible and within budget and timeframe. A project manager takes care of logistics, constantly communicates with the team and clients, makes regular reports, and handles plans and schedules. He/she should be a brilliant communicator and leader, have strong organizational skills, have knowledge of math and construction, and the ability to see the big picture and the details simultaneously.
