What does a builder do?
Builders are responsible for managing, coordinating, and working on the construction. They are also responsible for repairing and maintaining commercial and residential buildings. They oversee a project by either making arrangements with subcontractors to finish specific jobs or doing the work themselves. Builders need to ensure that the construction projects meet their client's requirements as well as the government and industry regulations. They often perform their work in an industrial setting. Their day-to-day activity depends on their specialization and level of experience.
Builder responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real builder resumes:
- 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.
- Establish the front-end with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and YUI framework.
- Create and present CSS pages for client approval.
- Maintain all contracts and financial records with QuickBooks software
- Assist in training new members of the QA team.
- Involve in QA testing on projects from other developers.
- Programme information into an CNC router for stair stringers.
- Used blueprints to build automation panels with micro PLC's.
- Assist in transitioning company from paper methods to QuickBooks systems.
- Build cabinet doors for RV'S and other mobile homes.
Builder skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Builders are proficient in Work Ethic, Safety Rules, and Construction Sites. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Builders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 21%
Mentored production team to develop essential skills and a positive work ethic that promoted increased company productivity.
- Safety Rules, 11%
Tested and troubleshooted power panels as specified in industrial control equipment safety rules.
- Construction Sites, 10%
Worked on construction sites doing jobs such as screwing in floor joist, tearing up carpet and nailing down boards.
- Windows, 7%
Glass installer/ Frame fabricator for commercial and residential windows in a warehouse/ production environment.
- Quality Standards, 6%
Inspected completed work to ensure conformance with construction specifications and uphold company quality standards.
- Construction Process, 4%
Cultivated and maintained relationships with buyers throughout the construction process Reviewed and hired assistant superintendents for multiple communities.
"work ethic," "safety rules," and "construction sites" are among the most common skills that builders use at work. You can find even more builder responsibilities below, including:
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a builder to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what builders do because "self-employed carpenters must conduct activities such as bidding on new jobs, tracking inventory, and directing workers." Additionally, a builder resume shows how builders use business skills: "set up and manufacture roof trusses for commercial businesses and residential homes. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform builder duties is detail oriented. Builders responsibilities require that "carpenters must be able to precisely cut, measure, and modify the materials they work with." Builders also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintained construction machinery and tools completed detailed construction projects lead squadron during construction activities"
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of builders is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday builder duties, as "carpenters use many tools and need hand-eye coordination to avoid injuring themselves or damaging materials." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "operate a front-loading tractor/forklift to move building materials into bins and finished buildings to transport. "
Math skills. builder responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "carpenters frequently use math skills, including basic trigonometry, to calculate the area, size, and amount of material needed for the job. ." This resume example shows what builders do with math skills on a typical day: "use basic math for measuring and cutting material. "
Physical strength. A commonly-found skill in builder job descriptions, "physical strength" is essential to what builders do. Builder responsibilities rely on this skill because "carpenters use heavy tools and materials that weigh up to 100 pounds." You can also see how builder duties rely on physical strength in this resume example: "sorted pallets by type and physical condition. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill commonly found on builder job descriptions is "problem-solving skills." It can come up quite often in builder duties, since "carpenters may work independently with little guidance." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day builder responsibilities: "managed, maintained and resolved customer service and warranty issues according to company policy. "
The three companies that hire the most builders are:
- Floor & Decor61 builders jobs
- Canyon Creek Cabinet
19 builders jobs
- LDV
16 builders jobs
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Compare different builders
Builder vs. Carpenter assistant
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a builder are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "c #," "windows," and "quality standards." On the other hand, a job as a carpenter assistant requires skills like "roofing," "drywall installation," "door installation," and "sheetrock." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, carpenter assistants reach similar levels of education than builders. Carpenter assistants are 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Builder vs. Carpenter foreman
Carpenters/ Laborers do general maintenance tasks and help in mechanical and carpentry-related jobs. Carpenters are versatile workers and perform different construction duties. They construct, install, erect, and repair structures and fixtures. Blueprints and building plans are followed by carpenters to meet their customer's needs. Typically, they install structures and fixtures like windows and molding. They also construct building frameworks like floors, walls, and door frames. Additionally, they operate forklifts, wheel loaders, skid steers, and similar equipment. Qualified applicants need manual dexterity, a good sense of balance as well as hand-eye coordination and must be physically fit.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real builder resumes. While builder responsibilities can utilize skills like "work ethic," "c #," "windows," and "quality standards," carpenter foremen use skills like "osha," "door frames," "drywall installation," and "sub contractors."
On average, carpenter foremen earn a higher salary than builders. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, carpenter foremen earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $65,909. Whereas builders have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $42,512.carpenter foremen earn similar levels of education than builders in general. They're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Builder vs. Carpenter/labour
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from builder resumes include skills like "work ethic," "c #," "windows," and "quality standards," whereas a carpenter/labour is more likely to list skills in "roofing," "drywall installation," "door installation," and "sheetrock. "
Carpenter/labours earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $42,011. Builders earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $42,512.carpenter/labours typically earn similar educational levels compared to builders. Specifically, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Builder vs. Carpenter helper
Even though a few skill sets overlap between builders and carpenter helpers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a builder might have more use for skills like "work ethic," "c #," "windows," and "quality standards." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of carpenter helpers require skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "scaffolding," and "door frames. "
Carpenter helpers enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $38,276. For comparison, builders earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of carpenter helpers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to builders. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of builder
Updated January 8, 2025
