What does a construction foreman do?

A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.
Construction foreman responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real construction foreman resumes:
- Manage installation of large scale CCTV and delay exiting systems.
- Manage daily oversight of moon bounce business, taking stock of inventory and ensuring delivery to customers.
- Manage different crews in delegating responsibilities to other workers for windows and curtain wall installations.
- Supervise subcontractors and conduct onsite inspections to ensure exceptional project outcomes achieve on-time and within budget.
- Operate power saws, planers, jointers, routers and pneumatic equipment.
- Perform duties associate with building construction and home improvements daily while following all OSHA safety regulations.
- Conduct safety meetings and complete JSA 's
- Create AutoCAD designs to streamline building prints.
- Facilitate training for all newly hire GPS crew members.
- Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above grind level.
- Prepare AutoCAD drawings, design, and analysis of some luxuries residential buildings
- Certify welder, arc welding, mig welding, and gas cutting.
- Supervise on site installations of windows, doors, vinyl siding and roofing.
- Tile work, remodel, painting, sheet rock, light plumbing, electrical.
- Develop expertise in control wiring, PLC systems circuitry and wiring through various projects.
Construction foreman skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Construction Foremen are proficient in Work Ethic, CDL, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Construction Foremen that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 10%
Enhanced overall crew efficiency by 30% through demonstration of strong work ethic and highly encouraging management attitude.
- CDL, 10%
Pipe crew lead foreman Heavy equipment operator CDL Driver Light mechanic duties Crusher transport/ set up/ operation
- OSHA, 10%
Scheduled workforce, order supplies and equipment, as needed according to company and OSHA standards.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Greased, oiled, and performed minor repairs on tractor, using grease gun, oilcans, and hand tools.
- Construction Equipment, 5%
Operate heavy construction equipment, waterproof and caulk the interior and exterior of buildings, window frames and control joints.
- Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Tear off, Installation, and clean up, performance evaluations, and customer satisfaction.
"work ethic," "cdl," and "osha" are among the most common skills that construction foremen use at work. You can find even more construction foreman responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a construction foreman to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "forest and conservation workers must convey information to foresters and conservation scientists and other workers." Construction foremen often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "coordinated work with other trades, including plumbers, electricians, sprinkler fitters, hvac and telecommunications installers. "
Detail oriented. Many construction foreman duties rely on detail oriented. "forest and conservation workers must observe gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that equipment works properly," so a construction foreman will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways construction foreman responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "completed projects in detail per blueprint specifications upholding state and local building codes. "
Listening skills. construction foremen are also known for listening skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to construction foreman responsibilities, because "forest and conservation workers must understand the instructions they receive before performing tasks." A construction foreman resume example shows how listening skills is used in the workplace: "ordered construction materials, controlled manpower assignments and communicated with customers to achieve construction objectives within prescribed time frames and budget. "
The three companies that hire the most construction foremans are:
- Lee56 construction foremen jobs
- GPAC40 construction foremen jobs
- BrightView Landscape Development Inc31 construction foremen jobs
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Construction foreman vs. Trim carpenter
A Trim Carpenter is a specialized worker whose task is to install and carry out repairs on molds and trim found on doors, windows, baseboards, and other ornamental pieces. He's also called a Finish Carpenter because his/her job also entails carrying out "finishing," generally making a carpentry project look detailed and defined in appearance, shape, and texture. Aside from leveling and trimming of windows and doors, you will also have to create pieces of customized woodworks that can serve as accessories for wooden fixtures.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between construction foremen and trim carpenter. For instance, construction foreman responsibilities require skills such as "cdl," "osha," "strong work ethic," and "construction equipment." Whereas a trim carpenter is skilled in "window sills," "scaffolding," "custom cabinets," and "door frames." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Trim carpenters really shine in the construction industry with an average salary of $48,114. Comparatively, construction foremen tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $62,811.The education levels that trim carpenters earn slightly differ from construction foremen. In particular, trim carpenters are 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a construction foreman. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction foreman vs. Lead carpenter
A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, construction foreman responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "cdl," "osha," and "strong work ethic." Meanwhile, a lead carpenter has duties that require skills in areas such as "door installation," "drywall installation," "rough carpentry," and "custom cabinets." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Lead carpenters may earn a lower salary than construction foremen, but lead carpenters earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $53,642. On the other hand, construction foremen receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,811.In general, lead carpenters achieve similar levels of education than construction foremen. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction foreman vs. Prestressed concrete labour
Prestressed concrete labor works at construction sites where they are in charge of handling and processing prestressed concrete materials into structural forms. They typically coordinate with managers and engineers to learn the construction plans and guidelines, design and build structures, prepare materials, and perform corrective measures when necessary. They must also maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating regularly. Moreover, prestressed concrete labor must abide by the construction site's safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from construction foreman resumes include skills like "construction equipment," "customer satisfaction," "excellent organizational," and "plumbing," whereas a prestressed concrete labour is more likely to list skills in "rakes," "shovels," "physical labor," and "scaffolding. "
Prestressed concrete labours earn the highest salary when working in the construction industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,973. Comparatively, construction foremen have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $62,811.Most prestressed concrete labours achieve a similar degree level compared to construction foremen. For example, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Construction foreman vs. Journeyman carpenter
Journeyman carpenters perform carpentry work in buildings and repair structures and elements, primarily by using wood and metal. Journeyman carpenters work directly in a team while reporting to a foreman. Most construction companies, builders, and construction staff hire journeyman carpenters to work mostly during daytime weekday shifts, but evening shifts, weekend, and on-call basis hours are sometimes required. Travel is commonly required for this job, as journeyman carpenters go to and from different supply houses, job sites, and the company shop.
Types of construction foreman
Updated January 8, 2025











