Building trade is any one of the branches of a large section of industry concerned with the construction of public buildings, homes, bridges, canals, harbors, railways, reservoirs, streets and highways, sewers, and subways. Together, the building trades are known as the construction industry.
Divisions of the building trades
The planning branches of building-construction work include the services of architects, engineers, and contractors. Other branches of the building trades include earthwork, or foundation construction; tunneling; structural-steel erection; sheet-metal work; masonry, or the construction of brick, concrete, or tile structures; glass installation; woodworking; roofing; painting and decorating; and the mechanical trades, which include the installation of electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilating equipment.
The contracting system
A building or other construction project may be erected by an individual or an organization that develops the plans, hires the laborers, and buys the materials directly. Most construction work, however, is turned over to a general contractor. The contractor agrees, in a written bid or proposal, to complete the building according to the plans and specifications of the architect or engineer. The price may be a fixed lump sum, or the contractor may agree to construct the building for whatever it costs plus a fixed fee, or a percentage, of the building cost. The general contractor may do all or a large part of the work. Usually, however, the contractor makes use of subcontractors, who furnish the labor and materials for certain parts of the work, such as the excavating or carpentry. The subcontractors also receive a fee or percentage for their work. The general contractor usually employs a superintendent who supervises the actual construction activity, including the work of the subcontractors. The architect, or someone chosen by the architect, makes certain that the structure is built according to the plans and specifications.
A construction project usually must be completed by a certain date in order that business plans can be made and carried out. For this reason, a time schedule is usually prepared before the construction work begins. The schedule gives the starting date, the required rate of progress, and the date of completion for the various kinds of work to be done by the subcontractors.
Career opportunities
Almost all the workers in the building industry are members of skilled trades. Workers in the various trades are usually organized into unions, which work to improve wages and working conditions and to secure other benefits for the workers. The principal kinds of skilled workers in the building trades include bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, and steam fitters.
Bricklayers
learn their trade as apprentices to experienced bricklayers, or at vocational or technical schools. Bricklayers must be able to read blueprints. They can become supervisors or contractors.
Carpenters.
There are two types of carpenters, those who do rough work and those who are finishers. The rough-work carpenter builds framework and makes forms into which cement or concrete is poured. The finisher does such work as hanging doors and windows and putting locks and doorknobs into place. A rough-work carpenter must be strong, because the work is heavy. Carpenters usually learn their trade as apprentices. They may later become carpentry contractors.
Electricians
usually begin their trade by helping with wiring work on construction jobs. Experienced electricians install switchboards, meters, electric-outlet boxes, and other electrical equipment. Electricians must understand architects’ drawings and principles of physics. They may receive training as apprentices, or in high schools or vocational or technical schools. After many years of experience, electricians may become electrical contractors.
Ironworkers
work both indoors and outdoors. The ironworker erects beams, trusses, and girders in the framework of a building. Ironworkers must be able to read blueprints, and must have some knowledge of mathematics and the science of metals.
Painters
work on both the outside and the inside of construction projects. Painters learn their trade by working with experienced painters and may eventually become painting contractors.
Plasterers
finish interior walls and ceilings. The plasterer usually learns the trade as an apprentice and may become a job supervisor or subcontractor.
Plumbers
install water, gas, and sewer systems. They also install bathroom, kitchen, and laundry equipment. Many plumbers go into business for themselves after several years working at their trade.
Steam fitters
install heating and air-conditioning systems and refrigeration equipment. The steam fitter learns the trade as an apprentice or in a vocational or technical school. Many steam fitters become heating or air-conditioning contractors.
