Building contractors are normally very experienced carpenters. They usually start out as carpentry apprentices, then work as qualified carpenters for a number of years before starting their own businesses.

The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) runs carpentry apprenticeships. A National Certificate in Carpentry is also recommended for those wanting to work as building contractors.

Three years of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include English, maths, woodwork, accounting and technical drawing.

Building skills are gained on the job. Building contractors can gain further knowledge by doing building or small business courses.

On 1 November 2007, the Department of Building and Housing introduced the first stage of the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme for building contractors. The scheme means that from November 2010, certain building work will need to be undertaken or supervised by licensed building contractors.

To get a licence, building contractors will have to prove their experience and/or have appropriate qualifications.

Most building contractors are qualified carpenters. Any other building trade work is also valuable, as is prior experience running a small business.