Building Technician

Also known as:

Site Engineer

Introduction

Building technicians support and assist professionals and managers during building projects. The work includes drawing plans, estimating costs, planning methods of work, arranging sub-contractors and supervising craft workers.

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Work Activities

Building technicians give technical support and assistance to professionals and managers involved in construction projects. Building technicians may work on a wide range of projects, from large-scale new building works such as office blocks and housing estates to small-scale extensions and alterations to part of a building. The duties of a building technician combine office based work and on-site work. The amount of time spent in the office and on-site varies between employers.

In the office, building technicians draw up plans and specifications for use by senior staff such as building surveyors. They draw details of foundations and overall layout and may need to produce designs for features such as doors and windows.

Using these plans, the building technician calculates the basic costs of the project, taking into account local factors such as the availability of certain building materials and the hire of specialist sub-contractors. Technicians must also use their knowledge of building materials to make sure that the range of materials can be safely combined. When the building technician has calculated these initial costs, they are given to a senior manager or a quantity surveyor; they check the figures, allowing for additional factors, such as overheads and profit margins, in order to arrive at a final estimate.

As well as drawing up plans for a project, the building technician must make sure that they meet with national building regulations. Plans must also conform to local planning requirements, so the technician needs to talk to building control officers from the local council. Before new building or demolition can begin, the building technician must also check that it is acceptable to other bodies such as water, gas and electricity companies.

On the construction site, the building technician may accompany senior staff to meetings with the building contractor, sub-contractors, building inspector and the customer/client. An experienced technician may act alone, chair the meeting and play a leading role in co-ordinating the programme of work, defining areas of responsibility and discussing safety precautions.

As work progresses, the building technician visits the site to check for faults and works closely with the site engineer. In some organisations, the building technician may supervise repair work. But sometimes this is the responsibility of a building inspector who refers major problems to the technician.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a building technician you need to be responsible, reliable and accurate in your work.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Building technicians earn in the range of £17,000 - £21,000 a year, rising to £23,000 - £29,500. Higher earners can make around £32,000 a year.

Building technicians work a basic 39-hour week, with occasional evening and weekend work.

There are employment opportunities for building technicians in both the public and private sector.

These include work with:
• surveying and civil engineering practices
• building contractors or property developers
• local government
• large public bodies such as health authorities
• building surveying practices
• architecture practices.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Late entrants usually have a background in a related field, such as construction or planning.

Relevant qualifications and skills and experience gained in the construction industry are useful.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who have different qualifications from the specific entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

The Chartered Institute of Building offers two routes for those with relevant skills and abilities, but who lack formal qualifications:
• Direct Entry Route (DMX) accepts candidates with five years professional experience
• experienced Practitioner Assessment Programme accepts candidates with five years experience managing people, processes and technology.

• 24% of building technicians work flexible hours.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, conservation or countryside management.