Careers in Construction Unit 1

Construction Industry One of the largest industries in America Divided into four major divisions –Residential Light construction –Homes –Small Buildings –Uses many prefabricated components –Non –Residential –Highway and Heavy –Municipal

More than two dozen skilled trades!

Career Levels Three career levels –Craft Carpenter Painter Plumber Bricklayer Electrician –Journeyman if in union

Career Levels –Technical Drafting Building techniques Surveying –Professional College degree required (Project manager)

Employment 1,100,000 Carpenters currently employed 14.8% in construction employment Carpenters specialize in certain areas May learn the trade without formal education

What to spend on housing and location Should not exceed 2 ½ times family income Could the sun be used as an energy resource? Are schools, community, jobs, and recreation nearby Is the lot shallow or deep Is the neighborhood relatively stable? No more than 25% of monthly income should be spent on all housing expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, and repairs.

Legal Documents Survey –Shows boundaries of the property Deed –Proof of ownership Abstract of title –History of deeds and other papers

Purchasing and Estimation Plans may be purchased from companies that specialize in stock house plans Stock plans are the least expensive way to purchase plans Architects receive 5% of building costs for designing a home A potential buyer can multiply the square footage of a home by the cost per square foot in the area to estimate the cost of the home To get an accurate cost a contractor may bid on the home

Mortgage Loans Actually a lien on the home –Security for the lender –Lender receives property if the buyer does not make payments Mortgages can run from 12 to 40 years Closing costs are costs for paperwork to close on a loan Payments for taxes and insurance on the property are held in escrow by the lender until payment is due Contractors are paid a certain percentage before the home is constructed

Building Codes Establish minimum quality and safety in housing Three major building codes –Uniform building code used in the West –Basic building code used in the Midwest –Standard building code used in the East Electrical code throughout the U.S. –National Electrical Code (NEC) A building permit is required before construction A building inspector periodically will visit the job site at key points during construction A certificate of occupancy will be issued if the home has no problems after inspection