Hello everyone!
I have a bit of an unusual question, and therefore I kindly ask you not to write mean comments.
Here's the situation... I have a Bachelor’s degree in construction technology... When I finished, I entered the real estate industry and worked with operations and maintenance with an emphasis on construction service work... This is something I don't really want to work with; I want to get into the contracting industry... I've started looking a bit at the role of a site manager and am considering starting to submit applications for this position...
However, I'm a bit uneasy about the tasks a site manager has... I've studied basic construction, building technology, etc. I also have relevant experience thanks to my current job, as I place a lot of construction service work orders and do inspections, so I have a pretty good handle on that... However, I lack two things that I'm not sure if they are part of a site manager's duties. It's mainly surveying. I have very little experience with this... And I haven't taken a course in geodesy... Therefore, I'm asking you if these are typical tasks for a site manager and whether I am suitable for the role if I lack this experience...
I would be very grateful if I could get answers to my questions and thoughts...
I have a bit of an unusual question, and therefore I kindly ask you not to write mean comments.
Here's the situation... I have a Bachelor’s degree in construction technology... When I finished, I entered the real estate industry and worked with operations and maintenance with an emphasis on construction service work... This is something I don't really want to work with; I want to get into the contracting industry... I've started looking a bit at the role of a site manager and am considering starting to submit applications for this position...
However, I'm a bit uneasy about the tasks a site manager has... I've studied basic construction, building technology, etc. I also have relevant experience thanks to my current job, as I place a lot of construction service work orders and do inspections, so I have a pretty good handle on that... However, I lack two things that I'm not sure if they are part of a site manager's duties. It's mainly surveying. I have very little experience with this... And I haven't taken a course in geodesy... Therefore, I'm asking you if these are typical tasks for a site manager and whether I am suitable for the role if I lack this experience...
I would be very grateful if I could get answers to my questions and thoughts...
haavard.. Thank you so much for the answer.. But if you are new to such a profession, do you get internal training first? Because I know the craft professions very well.. I am very skilled in building physics, I know the building laws and standards very well.. That is my strong side.. But I am really afraid of the measuring instruments.. That is truly my Achilles' heel!
It is indeed perfect during a job interview to have an area you know is your weakness but are eager to deepen your knowledge in!
For me, not knowing what geodesi is, it sounds like learning utsättning (which I do know) is quite a narrow thing compared to many of the other things you listed as your strengths!
Stand your ground and apply for the jobs you want! Let the employer weed you out, don't do it yourself.
For me, not knowing what geodesi is, it sounds like learning utsättning (which I do know) is quite a narrow thing compared to many of the other things you listed as your strengths!
Stand your ground and apply for the jobs you want! Let the employer weed you out, don't do it yourself.
Exactly the right attitude! It's the employer who knows what requirements are set, and it's up to the employer to determine if you're the right man/woman for the job. If you filter yourself out, you'll be unemployed for life. The difference between, like me, who runs a company, and being employed is that the employee doesn't need to apply for more jobs once they've got a job - I, on the other hand... apply for jobs (clients) every day.... and it's up to the new client to determine if I'm right for the job, no matter how skilled and service-oriented my other clients think I am. It sounds worse than it is, but if you look at it bluntly, that's how it is.....Totte_S said:
Member
· Stockholm
· 1 397 posts
Setting out is a specific role on most larger construction sites. Otherwise, the service is hired from companies that specialize in that. The only setting out you are likely to perform will be with a folding rule...
However, it is a requirement that you are:
stress-tolerant
experienced
well-educated
empathetic
determined
quick-thinking
analytical
communicative
clear
calm
resourceful
happy
human
innovative
methodical
forward-thinking
economical
brave
humorous
technical
an administrator
organized
clear-sighted
always reachable by phone
However, it is a requirement that you are:
stress-tolerant
experienced
well-educated
empathetic
determined
quick-thinking
analytical
communicative
clear
calm
resourceful
happy
human
innovative
methodical
forward-thinking
economical
brave
humorous
technical
an administrator
organized
clear-sighted
always reachable by phone
I don't want to paint the devil on the wall here, but setting out on construction sites CAN require some geodesy knowledge, it depends a bit on what you're doing. If it's just about getting the walls plumb and perpendicular, you learn that pretty quickly, but if it involves interpreting a drawing and calculating coordinates for the building's corners so that you're not too close to the property line, or calculating floor levels and connection heights for utilities, then you need to know what you're doing, especially if multiple coordinate systems are involved.
There are many examples of building foundations that have ended up too close to the boundary, or too high or too low, and have to be demolished or moved with great costs and delays as a consequence.
The Surveying Ordinance will soon disappear and be replaced by the wording in the new PBL, but most municipalities will maintain a requirement that those authorized to stake out must have many years of theoretical and practical experience in surveying work.
There are many examples of building foundations that have ended up too close to the boundary, or too high or too low, and have to be demolished or moved with great costs and delays as a consequence.
The Surveying Ordinance will soon disappear and be replaced by the wording in the new PBL, but most municipalities will maintain a requirement that those authorized to stake out must have many years of theoretical and practical experience in surveying work.
Hello again everyone. I want to thank you for these interesting answers and can actually say that I feel very encouraged.
Stringfellow Hawke: You have listed some qualities that a supervisor should have. However, I can't help but notice that many of these qualities are the exact opposite of each other. For example, the qualities analytical and methodical are the exact opposites of quick-thinking. If I am analytical, I think very carefully before I respond. Being quick-thinking I interpret as having some impulsiveness baked in there too.
b8q: Yes, this is what I am trying to get answers to. Most people I've talked to say that the supervisor is responsible for layout internally, i.e., interior walls, openings, etc. The building itself and its location on the property are usually handled by measurement engineers and measurement technicians according to them. This is what I have understood from them. I would also venture to guess that this might differ from place to place or between organizations?
Best regards/ Ronken!
Stringfellow Hawke: You have listed some qualities that a supervisor should have. However, I can't help but notice that many of these qualities are the exact opposite of each other. For example, the qualities analytical and methodical are the exact opposites of quick-thinking. If I am analytical, I think very carefully before I respond. Being quick-thinking I interpret as having some impulsiveness baked in there too.
b8q: Yes, this is what I am trying to get answers to. Most people I've talked to say that the supervisor is responsible for layout internally, i.e., interior walls, openings, etc. The building itself and its location on the property are usually handled by measurement engineers and measurement technicians according to them. This is what I have understood from them. I would also venture to guess that this might differ from place to place or between organizations?
Best regards/ Ronken!
Sounds like I and the people you've talked to think quite similarly. The building's external shape and location should probably be left to surveying technicians, but other construction measurement and staking out, e.g., marking the location for interior walls, don't require extensive training. And just because you have _responsibility_ for getting something done doesn't mean you always have to do it yourself. Delegate the task to someone who can.
I don't know the construction industry, but I am both an experienced recruiter and manager at the company where I work. The best advice you've already received is to apply for the jobs! Let the person looking for personnel decide IF you fit; I assume they use interviews in your industry as well, so just go there and explain who you are and why you should get the job. If you know anything about your weaknesses, that's actually a plus (at least with me especially if you are keen on developing in that area.
A supervisor with me is expected (just like I am expected) to lead the work, not do everything themselves. You can recruit people who know what you don't or don't want to do yourself and delegate to those who are skilled in that. Apply for the jobs! It's not developing to be in the same place for 25 years; gold watches and vases can be bought
especially if you are keen on developing in that area. A supervisor with me is expected (just like I am expected) to lead the work, not do everything themselves. You can recruit people who know what you don't or don't want to do yourself and delegate to those who are skilled in that. Apply for the jobs! It's not developing to be in the same place for 25 years; gold watches and vases can be bought
In general, it can be said that the Site Manager is responsible for staking out (one of many areas of responsibility). As several people mention, to determine the building's location on the property, the assistance of a survey technician is used. After that, it depends somewhat on the size and complexity of the project. For example, when constructing apartment buildings, a survey technician is usually brought in on several occasions to mark out the framework lines. Either just on the first floor or on each new trestle. For buildings with larger complexity, a survey technician may also be used to mark out walls (e.g. walls with a relatively large radius).
Additionally, it can be said that staking out that requires a total station is done by a survey technician, while the rest is done by a site manager. (It is also common to outsource other staking.)
Tools that the site manager uses for staking include everything from a measuring stick, level, line and plumb lasers, leveling instruments, etc., and in some cases a total station. You probably don't receive any formal training, but staking is something you learn on the construction site and you get accustomed to it as time goes on.
The difficult part is not the actual staking but interpreting the drawings and making the right judgments about what can be changed and what the potential change implies in terms of consequences. Then, one cannot always build as an architect/engineer has drawn.
Lastly, I can say that it obviously differs from company to company.
Additionally, it can be said that staking out that requires a total station is done by a survey technician, while the rest is done by a site manager. (It is also common to outsource other staking.)
Tools that the site manager uses for staking include everything from a measuring stick, level, line and plumb lasers, leveling instruments, etc., and in some cases a total station. You probably don't receive any formal training, but staking is something you learn on the construction site and you get accustomed to it as time goes on.
The difficult part is not the actual staking but interpreting the drawings and making the right judgments about what can be changed and what the potential change implies in terms of consequences. Then, one cannot always build as an architect/engineer has drawn.
Lastly, I can say that it obviously differs from company to company.
You have already received many wise answers, so I will share some of my experiences as a construction site manager.
For a period of about 10 years, I worked as one and it was always on larger industrial construction sites. The job as a site manager is very demanding and stressful; often the job is about being an errand boy for both the boss and the construction workers. At the same time, it is a varied and fun job. You learn a lot about both people and construction techniques. If there is any type of conflict on site, you can end up in a difficult position between the "guys" and the site manager. So the job requires, in addition to what is mentioned above, that you must not be afraid of conflicts and you should not be prone to ulcers. My stomach couldn't handle the job as a site manager, so it was my stomach that ended my site management career.
Good luck in finding a site manager job with a good construction company.
For a period of about 10 years, I worked as one and it was always on larger industrial construction sites. The job as a site manager is very demanding and stressful; often the job is about being an errand boy for both the boss and the construction workers. At the same time, it is a varied and fun job. You learn a lot about both people and construction techniques. If there is any type of conflict on site, you can end up in a difficult position between the "guys" and the site manager. So the job requires, in addition to what is mentioned above, that you must not be afraid of conflicts and you should not be prone to ulcers. My stomach couldn't handle the job as a site manager, so it was my stomach that ended my site management career.
Good luck in finding a site manager job with a good construction company.