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Building Contractor - Personal requirements

Kaihanga Whare

Skills & knowledge

Building contractors need to have:
  • building and carpentry skills
  • knowledge of building methods and materials
  • understanding of building standards and safety regulations
  • skill interpreting drawings and architectural plans
  • business management skills
  • communication skills for dealing with clients, local authorities, architects and other contractors
  • staff management skills
  • good planning and organisational ability
  • knowledge of health and safety procedures on building sites
  • maths skills.
A builder and a carpenter install a window.

Building contractors work alongside and supervise other tradespeople, so need good communication skills

A building contractor using a bench saw.

Building contractors must have building and carpentry skills

 

Personal Qualities

Building contractors need to be:
  • accurate, with an eye for detail
  • safety-conscious
  • able to make good judgements
  • comfortable working at heights
  • able to work with a range of people
  • motivated, as they often work independently and must find their own work.

 

Physical Requirements

Building contractors need to be fit, healthy and strong. They also need to have steady hands and good hand-eye co-ordination.

 

James Coubrough.

"You need to be strong because parts of the building process are hard, like lifting up the frames, which can weigh quite a lot."

James Coubrough - Building Contractor

 
Previous page - Tasks and specialisations
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Updated September 2009
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