As economy thrives, the construction industry also rides high growing demand for residential houses and commercial buildings. As construction sector also plays an important growth in economy. Experts expect steady growth in the coming years. Skilled construction workers are now in demand and will continue to be.
If you’ve dreamt of becoming a builder and/or starting your own business in the construction industry, the time is right!
Becoming a builder
If you’re wondering what professional path to take or considering making a career change, why not become a builder? No doubt, the work is physically demanding, but there are also many perks. Aside from the job security and potentially good pay, you don’t have to spend your days cooped up inside an office. Instead, you will have the benefit of working outside and be physically active while earning money. Here are the fundamental requirements you need to fulfill to start your own business as a builder.
Education
A university degree is not mandatory, especially if you’re going to start your own company. It doesn’t mean, however, that you can immediately put up a sign on your front door announcing that you’re open for business. Strictly speaking, a builder is a professional who holds the proper licence to oversee and coordinate the construction and repair of structures, whether it is for residential or commercial purposes.
Although there are no stringent rules that dictate what educational background a builder should possess, there may be courses that the government or agencies will require you to undergo before you can be issued a certificate or a license. In most cases, certification is needed before you can be admitted to an apprenticeship.
A better option is to enroll in classes or study programs that will make you a better builder and businessman. A certification course in building and construction, for instance, will teach you specific administration tasks that a builder should know, such as handling finances, estimating costs, and creating labor and material schedules. You can also choose to have more in-depth knowledge with a diploma course. The more qualifications you acquire under your belt, the better opportunities you will have in practicing your trade across multiple states.
Experience
As a builder, you will have to be familiar with various aspects of the trade, like acquiring permits, assessing sites and making cost estimates. At the very least, you also need to understand building plans and know which tradesmen to employ for a particular construction job. Generally, you will be managing the entire building process. Hence, experience is essential.
In most states, two years of experience is the minimum requirement for someone to be registered as a builder. Those with more meticulous trade regulations even require seven years of experience under the tutelage of another licensed builder. One of the most practical ways to gain experience is to apply for an apprenticeship.\
As an apprentice, you will be earning while learning at the same time. One of the major advantages of apprenticeship is that you get to quickly apply what you learn; unlike in a classroom setting where building concepts can only be read from books or heard from instructors. This phase of your career build-up can last from one to four years, depending on government requirements and what type of license you wish to obtain.
License
Licensing requirements are usually based on how a state regulates building professionals; thus, these may vary between areas. You may have to take exams and go through background checks. Aside from the state, your locality may have additional prerequisites imposed as well. You also need to comply with these.
Bond and liability insurance
While a professional license, bond, and liability insurance will cost you more money, these are worth having as a start-up. The building industry is an extremely demanding one, and accidents can happen no matter how careful you may be in avoiding them. Bonding and insurance can protect both your clients and your business assets, in case injuries and damages occur during construction. Besides, they can serve as good indicators of legitimacy. Your customers will have more confidence in doing business with you since your company is government-approved and you are a professional of good repute.
Additional skills for success
Becoming a builder is not a walk in the park. In fact, it’s a profession that only a few can pull off successfully. Aside from supervising the entire construction process, you also have to consider following safety rules and building codes, doing bookkeeping and paperwork, and keeping the clients satisfied. Being detailed and a good planner are just two of the traits you need to have. You also need to be:
- A good negotiator
- An excellent communicator
- Organized, practical and methodical
- Decisive and a quick thinker
- Retargetful and a problem-solver
Similar to any other career choice, you will have to pour time and effort into becoming a builder and starting a business. But if you put your heart into it, you will eventually enjoy the fruits of your hard labor.