| Residential contractors are general contractors | | | | planning, design, construction methods, contract |
| whose specialization is building residences such as | | | | administration, business and financial management, |
| houses, apartments and condominiums. They | | | | and information technology, among many others. |
| coordinate and supervise the work at construction | | | | You should have at least five years experience in |
| sites from beginning to end. They usually work | | | | this field as an assistant or an employee of |
| independently or have their own companies but | | | | residential contractors or developers. Many states |
| may also be employed by property owners and | | | | also require you to be licensed and have the |
| developers. However, residential contractors may | | | | necessary certification, mastery and experience in |
| also be assigned to oversee the construction of | | | | your specialization. |
| commercial buildings but rarely take projects as | | | | Residential contractors must also ensure the |
| large-scale as bridges, sewage systems and | | | | safety of the people working for their project |
| industrial structures. Residential contractors like | | | | and must have the physical stamina to be always |
| any contractor need to study the specifications of | | | | present during construction. In addition, they must |
| the project to be able to give clients accurate | | | | also have the intelligence and skills to immediately |
| estimations. | | | | solve problems that may occur within the site. |
| Residential contractors must be hands-on from | | | | The usual problems that may occur are |
| start to finish on their projects. They hire other | | | | emergencies caused by the weather and |
| contractors, subcontractors, equipment and | | | | accidents as well as those involving supplies and |
| workers needed for the construction. However, | | | | manpower. As a residential contractor you have |
| there are several residential contractors who are | | | | to follow the contract to the letter especially |
| already established that own the equipment they | | | | when it comes to the quality required for the |
| use and have workers employed exclusively for | | | | project. |
| their projects. They are usually the front liners in | | | | Residential contractors may experience a lot of |
| all aspects of construction and contact other | | | | stress and tension which usually come with the |
| companies for the different materials needed such | | | | job. The environment is usually dirty, noisy and |
| as concrete, steel, electrical equipment, and | | | | hazardous, and the hours are unpredictable. They |
| lumber, among many others. | | | | usually work 24/7 until the project is done. Even |
| To become a residential contractor you have to | | | | though the job can be very taxing, a residential |
| get a degree in construction science, construction | | | | contractor's job can be very fulfilling because the |
| management, and civil engineering to name a few. | | | | average annual salary for this field is around |
| Other courses and continuing education are | | | | $62,000. The salary can be higher if they will be |
| available from colleges and universities such as site | | | | working on bigger projects within the year. |