How to Become a Builder

Builders construct, develop, and maintain houses, apartment blocks, offices, and other buildings. They will generally be involved in a project from concept to completion and work closely with other construction industry professionals.

Builders work in the creation of buildings. They can be involved in various projects, from private, small repairs to large-scale building developments.

A builder’s duties will vary depending on the type of project, but they can consist of: 

• All aspects of building, from laying the foundations to tiling the roof.
• Advising clients on the planning process if necessary. 
• Calculating how many building products will be required and ordering them from suppliers.
• Creating quotes and time estimates and submitting them to clients. 
• Liaising with suppliers to ensure that the deliveries of materials match the time that they are needed.
• Ensuring that the completed building meets regulations and requirements. 

Candidates generally become a builder through vocational means. They may do an apprenticeship, where they work for a particular company and learn on the job. These apprenticeships last typically 3-5 years and include classroom and on the job training. 

Another route into becoming a builder is to gain relevant work experience by being a labourer and applying directly to a job opening. It is also possible to take a college course to learn some of the relevant skills, but in this case, work experience would be necessary.

Some builders choose to study construction management at university – either before becoming a builder or during a career break – and enter or re-enter the field as a manager.

Builders will need to be able to work well in a team, as they will nearly always be working with other professionals. They may need to liaise with architects and quantity surveyors. They should have good coordination and excellent attention to detail – they are partially responsible for ensuring all buildings are safe for purpose, so this is essential. 

Builders often have to meet deadlines, so they should be able to multi-task and display good time management. Even if they are under pressure, they must make sensible and well thought out decisions.

Full-time builders will generally work Monday to Friday, and sometimes on Saturday mornings. Working as a builder is physically tiring, and they should be prepared to be on their feet all day and to carry heavy loads. Builders should be in generally good health.

Builders can progress through the construction sector and become site managers or move into other professions in the field. Some start up their own business, either becoming self-employed or managing a team of people.