How the construction industry works: a beginner’s guide

The construction industry is complex. Therefore, many different organizations work together to build a construction project.

This article outlines the typical process of how a construction project is built. However, some larger firms offer a design-and-build service where they take on the typical work of both a consultant and a contractor. Bear in mind that large projects can take years to get from the initial idea to being fully completed.

How the construction process works…

A construction project starts with the client

A client wants to build something. For example, a client might be a property development company, a local authority, a central government department, a private business or an individual.

The client decides what it wants to build, the timeframe in which it should be built and how much it should cost.

The client then hires consultants

Consultants will advise on matters relating to the design, cost and any regulations. Additionally, the client could employ several consultancies or one consultancy to advise on everything. Either way, one consultant organization will often oversee the project on behalf of the client.

For example, common consultant organizations include:

architecture practices
cost consultancy (quantity surveying) employers
civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering employers.

Consultants, then, look after the design phase of the project – they design the structure and work out how much that design will cost to build. Also, the consultants decide which construction contractor should do the work. Additionally, contractors have to ‘bid’ for the work – put a case for why they are the best.

What’s it like to work in the construction industry?

What’s it like to work for a consultant?

If you work at a consultancy, your work will be on the design phase. Architects design the project. In addition, civil engineers make sure that the technical details on plans will work and quantity surveyors price up how much the design would cost.

The consultant gets contractors to carry out the construction work

Once the contractor has won the work from the consultants, construction begins on site. Contractors ensure the project is built to the agreed quality, budget and timeframe. Additionally, they take instructions about the design from the design consultancy and run any design-related problems past them.

What’s it like to work for a contractor?

Job roles with contractors include site managers, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and trades or craft people.

Contractors may get help from subcontractors

The contractor might offer some work to subcontractors if the project requires specialist skills or knowledge. For example, subcontractor specialty work may include: