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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a contractor. Feel free to use our contractor job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a contractor.

 

Who is a Contractor?

The organization, planning, and success of a project (construction, supplies, and others) depend on three key players; these are the client or owner, the management, and a contracting expert. These three work together to achieve the goals of the project. Several professionals are recruited by clients or governments across the globe to supervise, manage, and complete certain projects including roads, buildings, shopping malls, or supply of equipment. They are excellent project and business managers; they have the tact and knowledge to coordinate activities on a worksite and/or manage budgets. The success or not of a contract depends on the capabilities and efficacy of the contractor. For companies and firms that don’t want to hire permanent senior workers, contractors offer flexibility and a way out. They can be hired to work for short periods.

A contractor is a licensed and skilled professional or firm that works on and executes contracts in several industries. They are renowned for planning, directing, and overseeing the activities of a project. They supervise construction sites regularly, manage vendors, supplies, and trades, and exchange information with clients and upper management. Some contractors might perform foremen duties; however, the role mostly involves supervision and coordination of buildings, supplies, and other projects. A contractor can also be hired to renovate roads, structures, and properties including commercial and residential. He or she visits sites or performs market surveys before drafting and submitting proposals, bids, and/or tenders.

The elements of a contractor’s proposal rely on the method of delivery and may include cost analysis, estimates, or fixed prices. Most contractors consider labor cost, equipment or material cost, logistics, and other elements while presenting bids. They coordinate and ensure the safety of workers, equipment, and resources while working. A contractor liaises with clients to obtain permits and other relevant documents before executing a contract. They may also recommend adjustments to clients, recycle wastes, observe cash flow, and monitor staff schedules. Based on the agreement, they also handle or oversee the financial transactions and often communicate with vendors, artisans, other professionals, and suppliers. Significantly, the contractor is mostly the link between clients and workers; clients relay preferences, project goals, updates, and other information to these workers through the contractor.

A contractor ensures that work is done according to outlined safety standards and guidelines. They work within the limits of the budget and ensure personnel adheres strictly to the specifications of the contract or client. Several types of contractors exist as follows;

1. General contractor
2. Specialty contractor
3. Government contractor
4. Mechanical contractor

                                  

Contractor Job Description

Below are the contractor job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a contractor job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The duties and responsibilities of a contractor include the following:

• Maintain and ensure that the project’s timeline is adhered to. A delay can result in financial imbalances that can eventually slow down the project or process. For contracts or structures that span different seasons, interruptions arising from poor atmospheric conditions might abound. He or she must ensure that the contract is completed within the allocated period.
• Oversee, manage, direct, coordinate, and supervise labor and subcontractors. Most contracts require skilled professionals, astute laborers, and artisans to be completed. These include electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Though some contractors possess the training, experience, and skills to perform such duties, others don’t. Thus, he or she hires or recruits extra professionals to get the job done. The contractor will also manage equipment and tools respectively.
• Purchase, order, and request equipment and materials needed for the contract. Also, they will liaise and collaborate with suppliers and vendors to get the adequate quantity and quality of materials to meet a schedule or deadline. Since delays might extend the timeline of the project, contractors often communicate and work with stores, suppliers, and wholesalers to stock materials and supplies.
• Inform employers or clients of progress made throughout the project.
• Communicate any delay in contract implementation to relevant parties and other stakeholders.
• Assist in drafting budget and inventory for raw materials, personnel, and other resources.
• Become a liaison between employers and customers accordingly.
• Ensure contracts and structures meet industry-based standards and recommendations.
• Adhere to the client’s or employer’s specifications and standards.

 

Qualifications

Contractors perform various duties that involve management, supervision, and monitoring. They must have certain qualifications to be eligible for contracts and employment. He or she must attain and present several employment requirements that include education, licensing, and certification to mention but a few. Thus, an aspiring or prospective contractor must possess the following contractors;

• Contractor’s license requirements: An individual should possess or obtain a license to practice in the field. Licenses expose the individual to juicy and big contracts; it also portrays the individual as an entity in the field. To be qualified for a license to practice, the individual must attain relevant education, present proof of prior experience, and pass a licensing exam.
• Certification in construction: A certificate in construction or contracting is another requirement. Though optional, it sells the candidate as an industrious, creative, and committed being. Often, hiring managers favor and rate certified contractors highly. Also, a certificate in the field is valuable when bidding for contracts. For example, a prospective contractor can enroll for and obtain certifications from the International Institute of Contractors and the International Construction Management Association.
• Contractor’s educational requirements: Contractor education is another important qualification for a role in the field. Most employers and firms require at least a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on project planning, engineering, architecture, and construction management. Some might even pursue a master’s degree in a relevant field to be more employable.
• Experience and training: Years of experience are a crucial cog or requirement for a contractor. Though it may vary, companies and clients ask for a minimum of three years of experience in the field of construction. A means of developing or gaining experience is by shadowing a licensed and experienced contractor on construction projects or contracts in several sectors. An internship in a related field can suffice as well.

 

Essential Skills

Construction, manufacturing, and transportation constitute thousands of jobs and employment globally. Therefore, a contractor often has one or more contracts to supervise, oversee, or manage. According to the United States of America’s bureau of labor and statistics, the job outlook for contractors will increase by more than 6% in the next few years. Hence, a contractor and aspiring contractors need skills to thrive in their roles. These skills can be technical, soft, industry-based, or hard and include;

• Knowledge of mathematics: Sometimes, a contractor is in charge of the entire project. This means they combine budgeting, administration, and management duties. Thus, he or she needs excellent math skills and abilities to successfully oversee, manage, and navigate financial and other transactions. An understanding of mathematics is also important for profit and loss analysis.
• Customer service and communication: A contractor liaises and cooperates with several employees while working. Also, they work with several clients and customers. He or she needs effective communication to disseminate information, give directions, and relate with clients and coworkers. To successfully complete their tasks and ensure client satisfaction, a contractor needs outstanding customer service skills. They must ensure the client comes first; he or she must adhere to a client’s specification when coordinating the construction of commercial or residential property for instance.
• Attention to detail: Adequate knowledge of construction best policies and standards as well as contractual laws and regulations are part of a contractor’s job duties. Most of these parameters are spelt out during seminars, orientation, and onboarding exercises. Thus, a contractor must be attentive to effectively understand these guidelines. Attention to detail also ensures that a contract is completed according to specifications and standards; it ensures that no stone is left unturned. A contractor that adheres to details evaluates and monitors laborers and subcontractors’ job performance, timeframe for completion of tasks, and adherence or not to safety rules and best practices.
• Problem-solving: Besides the advantages of the job, there are associated cons including challenges and problems. When supervising a project or construction, an individual needs problem-solving skills to proffer solutions to problems. There are various challenges and glitches in a job site; a vendor might not deliver materials on time, the worksite might run out of supplies, and stocks might need replenishing at the close of work among others. He or she must develop, or create ways to solve these and other problems.
• Building skills: There have been arguments for and against building skills for contractors. However, no skill is a waste, especially for individuals vying for contractors’ roles. Sometimes, a mason, carpenter, electrician, or plumber might not turn up. To meet up with deadlines, a contractor can step in and use their building skills to perform the emergency task while supervising other aspects of the project.
• Ability to multitask: As the overseer of a contract or project, the contractor must be able to perform several duties at once to ensure efficacy. They must combine supervisory aspects of the job with answering and replying to emails and phone calls from clients and employers.

 

How to Become a Contractor

A career as a contractor can be a stepping stone to a senior or management position in manufacturing, transportation, and/or construction. Most contractors go on to enjoy successful and fulfilling careers in the field and other related sectors. Hence, if you are passionate about supervising projects, providing premium services, and managing supplies and service utility, then the position of a contractor might just be right for you. The tips below serve as a guideline on how to start a contractor’s career;

• Determine your contractor’s career goals: Do you want to be a contractor? Will you be working on solely government contracts? Are you going to handle construction or all contracts? The answers to these questions will help you develop and create your career goals. The first step to beginning a contractor’s career is determining the area or type of work to specialize in. Since a contractor can work for several industries, it is important to decide and choose between being a full-time contractor or a supervisory contractor.
• Pursue relevant education: While in high school, concentrate or focus on building, business, and finance-related subjects. After secondary school, apply for admission to study a relevant course in a university or college. Pursing and obtaining the right education plays a crucial role during licensing and certification. Ideally, a bachelor’s degree in a construction or social science course is required. However, some employers accept an associate degree that lasts for two years. A bachelor’s degree in statistics, structural science, business management, economics, building, and human relations can suffice too. You can pursue an advanced degree to boost your chances for promotion and senior positions.
• Obtain a license to practice: In most countries, a contractor must possess and present a license to be considered. There are several contractor licensing bodies and agencies worldwide. Thus, complete the necessary education, and training, and pass the licensing examination to obtain one.
• Gain work experience: Next, gain work experience by working in construction sites and other locations. Also, take up assistant contractor’s roles in any relevant company to gain experience, build your contractor’s portfolio, and improve your network. Some climes and countries provide a three-year contractor’s apprenticeship program or entry-level positions in a supervisory role.

 

Where to Work as a Contractor

Most contractors work as freelancers; they own construction agencies and firms. Some work as independent traders while others run limited liability companies. An independent contractor looks for clients and contracts. Importantly, a contractor can be gainfully employed in different sectors; they may be hired by a construction firm to supervise or coordinate the building of estates and residential homes. A contractor can also be employed by a manufacturing company to handle contracts on supplies and raw materials. They can be employed by mining firms and transportation companies as well.

 

Contractor Salary Scale

A contractor makes between $59,000 and $108000 per year. This is based on the type and nature of the contract, concord, and years of experience. According to reports, a contractor makes an estimated minimum of $20.20 per hour. This is an approximated and average figure derived by compiling several salaries. Contractors that handle huge contracts and projects can earn an hourly wage of about $46. Also, these professionals enjoy added bonuses in form of commissions and employee incentives. Some earn extra pay for meeting deadlines and maintaining a budget.

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