Building Technician

Building technicians, also known as estimators or site engineers, act as the link between management and the tradespeople on a construction site.

They may be involved in:

• drafting construction plans and blueprints, making alterations and amendments
• estimating costs for materials, labour and plant equipment
• negotiating and purchasing resources at the most cost-effective price
• checking the quality of materials and equipment
• regular progress meetings
• overseeing preparations and supervising teams or tradespeople on site, monitoring health and safety procedures
• project managing building progress.

Building technicians usually work normal office hours, Monday to Friday. Some evening and weekend work may be required to meet deadlines. Their time is split between office work and site visits. Inspecting building work progress may involve working at heights on ladders or scaffolding. Some projects require localised, potentially national travel.

Salaries may range from around £14,500 to £30,000 a year.

A building technician should be:

• knowledgeable about building techniques and materials
• reliable, accurate and have a strong sense of responsibility
• an excellent communicator
• good at solving problems
• interested in architecture and building design.

Around 20,000 people work as building technicians in England. The main job opportunities exist with building contractors, property developers and surveying and civil engineering practices. Some work directly within organisations that manage their own construction work.

Building technicians enter this role through various routes. This may include working as a construction operative or labourer or via a Construction Operative Apprenticeship. The Diploma in construction and the built environment may be relevant for this area of work.

Direct entry to a building technician trainee position usually requires a higher-level qualification before employment. This may include a Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND), foundation degree or degree. The ConstructionSkills Inspire Scholarship provides a financial grant to a limited number of people studying a construction-related degree course.

Apprentices usually work towards a CSkills Level 2 NVQ Diploma in a specific trade or construction skill before continuing to train as a building technician. They may then work towards higher-level NVQ Diplomas. These are available in site or work supervision and management from Levels 3 to 5. A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is needed to work on site.

Technicians may take on increased responsibility and progress into areas of management, including senior buyer or estimator. Some may become departmental managers or specialise in other technical areas.

Further details