How to hire a builder

How to hire a builder, step by step

Here's a step-by-step builder hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a builder job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new builder
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a builder do?

Post a builder job for free, promote it for a fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your builder job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a builder for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect builder also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of builders.

   Type of Builder	Description	Hourly rate
   Builder	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$11-21
   Carpenter Foreman	A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.	$20-37
   Carpenter/Labour	Carpenters/ Laborers do general maintenance tasks and help in mechanical and carpentry-related jobs. Carpenters are versatile workers and perform different construction duties... Show more	$12-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Work Ethic
   • Safety Rules
   • Construction Sites
   • Windows
   • Quality Standards
   • Construction Process
   • Tape Measure
   • Assembly Line
   • Nail Guns
   • Wire Harnesses
   • Pallet Jack
   • Inventory Control
   • Staple Gun
   • Troubleshoot

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Modify existing client websites with new HTML and CSS to achieve stakeholder requirements.
   • Manage the office for a small business; invoicing, accounts receivable, accounting, taxes, payroll, etc.
   • Operate a variety of tools, including power saws, planers, jointers, routers, and pneumatic equipment.
   • Boat builder Mig and tig welder
   • Replace broken pieces of the chep pallets
   • Preform aluminum spray transfer and Tig welding.

   More builder duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your builder job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A builder salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a builder in Louisiana may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level builder usually earns less than a senior-level builder. Additionally, a builder with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average builder salary

   $15.92hourly

   $33,117 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level builder salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 6, 2025

   Average builder salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$48,570	$23
   2	Washington	$47,882	$23
   3	Minnesota	$40,904	$20
   4	New York	$37,933	$18
   5	Illinois	$37,237	$18
   6	Colorado	$37,219	$18
   7	Nevada	$35,516	$17
   8	Missouri	$35,151	$17
   9	Michigan	$32,993	$16
   10	Indiana	$32,392	$16
   11	Pennsylvania	$32,150	$15
   12	Utah	$31,950	$15
   13	Virginia	$31,524	$15
   14	Ohio	$31,497	$15
   15	Nebraska	$30,916	$15
   16	Arizona	$29,664	$14
   17	Oklahoma	$29,146	$14
   18	Texas	$28,932	$14
   19	North Carolina	$27,139	$13
   20	South Carolina	$26,590	$13

   Average builder salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$44,214	$21.26
   2	Phunware	$42,727	$20.54
   3	Armstrong International	$42,410	$20.39
   4	International Rescue Committee	$41,520	$19.96
   5	American Woodmark	$41,501	$19.95	1
   6	Millennium Mat Company	$41,314	$19.86
   7	Catholic Charities Health and Human Services	$40,898	$19.66
   8	Stanford University	$40,780	$19.61
   9	NIKA	$40,291	$19.37
   10	PROLIM	$40,126	$19.29
   11	Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES	$39,758	$19.11
   12	The Opportunity Alliance	$39,729	$19.10
   13	Tempur Sealy International	$39,673	$19.07	1
   14	PSEA	$39,470	$18.98
   15	Haskell	$39,229	$18.86
   16	GreenwichPub.Schls.	$39,180	$18.84
   17	Foundation Communities	$39,035	$18.77
   18	REV Group	$38,794	$18.65	1
   19	Aetna	$38,658	$18.59
   20	Exxon Mobil	$38,480	$18.50

4. Writing a builder job description

   A builder job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a builder job description:

   Builder job description example

   Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that's served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It's our passion.
   PRIMARY PURPOSE
   
   Participates in all phases of operating the Building Automation System (BAS), repair and maintenance of modules, controls and related electrical work, while serving as a work leader with regard to BAS, vendor coordination, documentation of service, project planning, and the request for proposal (RFP) process.
   
   MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS
   
   Education: Associate's degree in Electronics or other technical field or equivalent schooling in a technical trade institute.
   Experience: 3 to 5 years field experience with operating, installing and/or servicing building automation and integrated systems with strong background in energy management systems, networking, and system integration.
   Equivalent Experience: May have an equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of specific education and/or experience as stated above.
   Certification/Registration/Licensure: Must have a Texas Class C Drivers License
   Skills or Special Abilities: Must have access to an automobile and be insurable. Must have experience analyzing the performance of equipment, such as the Building Automation System (BAS), Transvac and the Pneumatic Tube System (PTS), based on field measurements and BAS trend data and working knowledge of those systems; central plant operations, heating/cooling and air handler systems. Must have experience troubleshooting the building automation systems and/or remote monitoring systems. Must have knowledge of HVAC system mechanics, temperature controls, PTS, Transvac and energy management. Must have knowledge of engineering fundamentals, HVAC concepts. Must have knowledge and proficiency in operating and program functions of Building Automation Control and HVAC systems such as Siemens, Honeywell, Translogic, Transvac and Johnson controls. Must be able to demonstrate an expert working knowledge of the proper use of meters, hand tools and power tools. Must be able to communicate effectively with department and Hospital personnel, both orally and in writing. Must be able to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, and technical instruction manuals. Must be able to prepare estimates for work required. Must have advanced computer skills, understanding of controls networking. Must be physically able to lift heavy loads, walk, stand for extended periods, and climb ladders. #WM Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right builder for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your builder job on Zippia to find and attract quality builder candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with builder candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new builder

   Once you've found the builder candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new builder. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a builder?