Who Does What on a Construction Site?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work on a construction site? What takes place and who is involved? Many construction projects are complex, involving detailed planning, problem-solving, hard labor, and teamwork. At SHYFT, the construction team works diligently to ensure this process goes smoothly and efficiently. In this article, we hope to give you a glimpse into the action!

A Construction Project Manager is responsible for the overall operations of a job site, including organizing the schedule, establishing the budget, buying out the work, and monitoring the budget, ordering materials, and hiring trade contractors. They are the main point of contact between the Owner and everyone involved in the project. On site, they meet with Owners, architects, engineers, and trade contractors to discuss the progress of the project. Construction Managers know how to develop quality projects with cost efficiency.

A Project Superintendent manages day-to-day field operations. They are responsible for updating and maintaining project schedules to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. On site they coordinate trade contractors, ensuring they work with one another, provide materials and workmanship that aligns with the client’s expectations, and follow company and industry safety protocols. Construction projects are often subject to unexpected delays, weather-related issues, and other unforeseen events. Superintendents must be able to quickly adjust their plans and priorities to ensure the project stays on track. All project updates are reported back to the project manager.

Alongside construction managers, projects sometimes include project engineers who assist in planning with a focus on the technical aspects of a project. They work to see that the necessary permits are obtained, submittals are accurate for materials, quantities, and dimensions, and assist with RFI coordination between the field and the design team. While on site, they do control checks to ensure that work meets quality standards and project specifications. Some projects also include field engineers who work on-site alongside superintendents to solve any technical problems, as well as monitor schedules, maintain job site cleanliness, provide insight on the work being performed, and facilitate the coordination of inspections to ensure they are passed.

Many construction project teams also include a project coordinator or project assistant who helps the project team with various administrative tasks throughout the lifecycle of a project, including issuing contracts/PO’s, tracking insurance, entering change orders, preparing meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes, tracking submittals and RFI’s, and assisting with the preparation of monthly pay applications.  

Construction workers are skilled tradespeople, often referred to as trade contractors or subcontractors, that are employed by a general contractor to deliver their services for a specific project. Construction workers perform manual labor, operate basic tools and machinery, and assist tradespeople. Tradespeople specialize in a particular trade such as painting, carpentry, masonry, welding, and plumbing. For large projects, heavy equipment operators will be on-site to manage big machines such as bulldozers, cranes, excavators, loaders, etc.

Professionals involved in the early planning stages of a project will check up on a job site periodically. Structural engineers make sure structural elements are installed properly and ensure that the building is safe and stable. Architects and interior designers will also come to check progress and ensure work aligns with their drawings. Occasionally, they might notice differences that need to be addressed with the project superintendent. The earlier a discrepancy is caught, the easier it is to fix. Toward the end of the project, a “punch list” is conducted where the entire building is analyzed closely and imperfections are marked with blue tape.

There are many other professionals involved at different points throughout the project. Here are a few: Land surveyors visit a job site before construction to define property lines and conditions of the land. They also might measure the site, gather information about physical characteristics of the land, and determine how a building should be positioned. A building estimator might be involved to calculate the approximate cost of a project, including materials, labor, and equipment. At the end of a project, before officially handing the building over to the owner, a building inspector will visit the site to ensure the building was constructed according to the submitted building permit plans. They also ensure code requirements are being met.

Everyone involved in a construction project contributes unique skills and insights, whether it's on site or behind the scenes. Understanding these roles not only highlights the complexity of construction but also demonstrates the importance of teamwork. When team members share their perspectives, understand each other, and seek clarification, there is less room for mistakes. Ultimately, a successful project needs collaboration.