How to Become a Contractor

Are you thinking about becoming a contractor but aren’t really sure about how to do it? There are lots of reasons why you may turn towards becoming a contractor, with two of the main driving forces being: Money and honing specialist skills.

If you’ve had enough of being ‘just a builder’ then here’s how to become a contractor:

Step 1: Know what a contractor does

Don’t jump into this job role blind, take the time to find out exactly what a contractor is expected to do on a daily basis. Generally your job would entail:

• Coordinating the project
• Managing the budget
• Supervising the entire project
• Collaborating with other teams
• Completing with building and safety codes as well as other regulations
• Meet deadlines
• Respond to emergencies

Step 2: Have the skills

No point trying to become a contractor if you haven’t got what it takes to succeed. You’ll need a wide range of skills in order to do well in this role, including:

• Mathematical and analytical skills
• Organisational skills
• Strong communication
• Good technical knowledge of construction
• Background in the industry

Step 3: Become a Contractor 

There are several different ways that you can become a contractor, each with their own pros and cons. The main ways of getting into this job role are through:

• Formal Education
  • Having a degree in construction science, management, architecture or engineering can help give you the skills, knowledge and certification you need to break into this industry.
• On-the-job training
  • This is a very traditional approach to becoming a contractor, gaining the skills and qualifications you need for the job while working an internship or through a programme.
• Meeting local certification and licensing
  • By striking out on your own and gaining the licensing and certification that’s required for contracting then you’re ready to go. There may be exam you will be required to pass or you may need to prove previous experience.

Step 4: Make the Leap

Now that you’re qualified as a contractor, you should quit your previous job – if you haven’t already. You’re going to need to be able to go to interviews at the drop of a hat and being tied up in other work can make this complicated.

Bidding for work is going to be a huge part of your new job description, so make sure you’re up to date with any changes that are happening in the construction industry. You should also be prepared to travel for work, as projects can spring up anywhere in the country and even abroad.

Step 5: Enjoy Your New Job

That really is all you need to know about how to become a contractor. Day to day tasks will change depending on the project you’re working on and the type of contracting you specialise in – if you decide to specialise.

Enjoy your new job and the power it brings you. This is job that is high in demand, but you need to make sure that you’re fighting for the jobs you want and paying close attention to trends in the industry so that you can adapt to any major changes.