Commercial Construction Worker
The first thing a person interested in becoming a commercial construction worker should realize is that construction is a business. Therefore to make a good living a construction worker needs to think like a business person.
Many people are attracted to construction work because of the high salaries. Skilled and experienced construction workers often make very good salaries. Individuals with skills and licenses in trades like carpentry and heavy equipment operators can make quite a bit of money.
Unfortunately entry level construction levels may not make that much money. The first thing a construction worker does in order to make a good living is to get experience and contacts in the industry.
Contacts in the Industry are Critical
The most critical aspect of finding work is to develop contacts in the industry. Most construction jobs are still filled through word of mouth referrals. This means the more contacts in the industry you get the better.
Developing a good reputation and making lots of contacts with people on all levels of the business can help you working. In particular try to cultivate relationships with persons with connections to large construction companies.
Sometimes joining unions can help you find work or make contacts. Developing contacts at architecture and engineering firms is another good way to find work.
Subcontracting
One of the most lucrative areas of construction is subcontracting. Subcontractors are small businessmen that work on a particular aspect of a job.
The usual procedure is that a client will hire a general contractor for a job. The general contractor will do part of the work with his or her crew and hire other firms to perform specialized tasks. For example a general contractor may hire a plumber, a painting firm and an electrician to handle those areas of the job.
Persons that want to make more money and gain experience can become subcontractors. Subcontracting is a business so it will require business skills. In many areas it may also require insurance so there can be quite a few expenses.
Travel
Something that many people don’t realize is that commercial construction work can involve quite a bit of travel. Construction workers especially those do specialized work or work on specialized projects may have to travel long distances and stay away from home for weeks or months at a time.
In some cases, construction workers may have to travel to other countries and live there for months or even years at a time. Such travel may sound glamorous but it can be very tough.
For persons that like to travel, commercial construction work can be a very fun and rewarding job. Those that don’t like to travel may need to consider another career.
Salary for Commercial Construction Workers
Commercial construction workers who are willing to get specialized skills and experience can make pretty good salaries. The average hourly wage for a brick mason in the US in 2008 was $21.94.
Workers that laid the cement for foundations earned an average of between $21.71 and $23.84.
The most skilled and experienced workers in such trades can earn quite a bit more. Those who are willing to work as foremen or supervisors can earn a very good wage.
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