INTERVIEW OF A GENERAL CONTRACTOR
1. Vocation: What is your job title/position/job description?
General Contractor (partner in family construction business and also owner of own small business). Work hours are dependent upon the job, season and weather. Often during peak times (April thru November) and ideal weather conditions, I will work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Normally though I try only to work 6 days.
The various work includes building, construction, renovation, remodeling, excavation, painting, cement work, roofing – just about anything.
There is a wide salary range of roughly $30,000 to a six figure annual salary. Income is affected not only by how hard or fast you work but also the quality (additional job referrals) and the weather.
Preparing estimates, bids and contracts are also involved. This process includes assessing the job, the cost of materials, time and labor.
2. Do you belong to a union?
No.
3. Describe your physical work environment.
The physical work environment is dependent upon the job. Often the site is hot and dusty for things like demolition, brick and block, use of a quickie saw (used for cutting masonry), pouring concrete or roofing though not to say that conditions can’t be cold and muddy.
Weather conditions (especially rain) are always a factor in determining the day’s schedule.
4. Please describe a typical day (do you travel, hours you work, etc)
During peak construction, I often work a 12 hour day. I like to start around 7AM to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures but I am also conscious not to run heavy equipment and make too much noise (hammering, power tools, etc.) much before 8AM. Often there are local ordinances stipulating times when noise or heavy machinery can be run (usually not on Sunday). There have been times that I have chosen to pay a fine for a citation so that the job can get back on schedule. Generally I spend a few hours driving to the site and purchasing the materials needed for the day. Once that day’s task is completed, time is spent to figure and assess the next day’s agenda and needs. It is normal to be working on more than one job at a time. For example, if the weather is uncooperative for an outside job, time can be utilized at an inside job. During this time, the inside job is lower priority although I never tell the customer that. Very often I will work more than one job site a day. Even though the weather is cooperative for an outside job, I will put in the bulk of my day at that site but maybe go for an hour or so at the indoor job (enough to make a little progress and the customer doesn’t think that they are secondary). Even a phone call or some communication lets them know I haven’t forgotten about them.
With my own business, I am able to contract for more indoor jobs during the off season. Usually then my day may only start at 9 or 10AM and I may quit by 4PM. For larger companies, they may lay off several people during the slow season.
5. How does your profession affect your ability to live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, sleep, nutrition)?
Actually, my job is quite physical and I feel it keeps me in shape. I may skip a meal or grab fast food on the run while getting supplies but it’s no big deal.
6. Are any there over the counter medications, alternative medications that are typically used in your profession (wt loss, tobacco, steroids, etc.)
Over the counter pain relief medication for sore muscles and back aches are pretty common.
7. What are things that your friends find interesting about your profession (like how often do you shoot your gun if you are a police officer)?/what types of questions do you get asked by the public?
My friends like my tools and that I have tools that fix tools. If they are REALLY GOOD friends, I let them play with my tools and help me fix tools!
People will often stop by while I am working and ask for advice on how to fix something or how to do something. Most times it is annoying because I am always working with a timeline and they want to chat and all I can think is I have work to do. I try to be accommodating because often (about 75%) it can lead to another job.
8. How did you get interested in your profession?
Larger established companies seem to be generational.
A large number of my friends are in some aspect of construction (some in sales, windows, the various trades I work with). I had previously owned a landscaping business but tired of being at the same house week after week. I also wanted something more profitable.
9. What do you like most about your profession?
I really like being my own boss doing what I want, when I want and how often I want. I also enjoy the sense of accomplishment when a project is complete or learning a new skill or technique.
10. What do you dislike most about your job?
The long hours are probably the biggest complaint about the job.
11. Educational background
12. High school
13. Vocational school or College
14. Graduate school or special training
It really isn’t necessary to have much additional formal education if you a laborer which is often a general starting point. There is much you can learn on the job. Having qualities like being more mechanically inclined and willing to work hard are probably more important assets. You can go to technical or trade school to specialize in plumbing, carpentry, electric, masonry. You can also apprentice or have someone teach you a trade.
15. How does one obtain a job in your profession?
No special process, just apply for a position or be born into a construction business family.
16. What previous positions have you had since you started this profession?
I have three years of college as a biology major. My summer job was landscaping and I really enjoyed that. So eventually I opened my own business and did landscaping for 20 years.
17. Can you get promoted? If so, to what position and how?
If you start out as a general laborer, depending on the construction crew size, you can work your way up to various positions. With larger companies there are positions like warehouse supervisor, estimater and salesperson, job superintendent or part owner. If you are willing to work hard and can acquire new skills is another way to move up.
18. What are the "perks" of your job?
For me the biggest perk is being your own boss. But I guess another perk would be the acquisition of so many ‘big boy’ toys like a skid steer (small excavator), big dump truck, and lots and lots of tools.
How do you get paid (contract, per mile, per hour, etc.) How can you make more money?
I am paid per job contract. The general request is for 50% payment when starting the job (usually this will cover expenses), another 25% payment when halfway thru the job and the balance when the work is completed. I can make more money by working harder. Often if you belong to a union you are paid a higher scale.
19. What is the most stressful part of your job?
Unfortunately one of the most stressful aspects of the job is dealing with customers – customers who are indecisive and change their minds once a job is started and customers who are reluctant to pay.
20. What emotional problems are common in people in your profession?
Anger management and stress would be common problems. It is not unusual for things to go wrong or not work out quite as planned. There is plenty of ‘rough’ language used at job sites during such episodes as a release of frustration. Every day there are deadlines to meet, a certain timeline for things to be completed. Because weather is such a vital factor in so many jobs, there is lots of stress when it doesn’t cooperate.
21. What type of physical activity is required in your position?
My job is very physical and involves lifting, carrying, digging, eye-hand coordination – just about any physical activity depending on the job.
22. What things happen that really make you angry?
Whenever I miscalculate, measure or cut wrong - it makes me angry. I guess because that is more in my control.
23. What other professions do you work with, and how do they affect your (make your job easier or harder)?
I work with many other professionals – plumbers, electricians, carpenters, masons, plasterers, architects, building inspectors. When they complete their task on schedule, they make my job easier, but when they don’t it’s like a domino effect of being delayed.
24. What "health risk" behaviors are common in your profession? (tobacco, alcohol, specific drugs, sex, stress, marital or family discord, etc.)
There is much alcohol abuse, stress, and family and marital troubles. The long hours play a big contributing factor.
25. How does your vocation affect the personal life of you or people you know?
My wife’s family is in the construction business so she grew up exposed to this lifestyle, so there is little effect to my personal life. Our family time is more about quality not quantity.
26. What activities and/or hobbies do people in your profession like to do?
I mentioned before that many in my social circle are also in some aspect of construction. We usually get together on a regular basis for ‘boys night out’ which often involves alcohol.
27. Are there any items of clothing, or props that someone portraying a person in your profession would use consistently? (Hats, keys, stuff you’d keep in your pockets (or bags), day planners, work boots, particular “costume”, or types of clothing…)
Depending on the job, but there is almost always some accessory – hat, safety gear, boots, tool belt, gloves, knee pads.
28. If a person in your position were to get fired, what would they most likely have done to justify the termination and what would the steps involve? Do lay offs happen in your occupation?
If a worker was undependable, showed up consistently late for work or did poor quality work – all these would be a reason for dismissal. Because I am not union, there would be no notice just, ‘you’re fired!’
For larger companies or union workers things would be different. Seniority may play a factor but usually you are able to collect unemployment if this happens.
29. During all of these questions, listen for “jargon” used by the interviewee…words they use that are “lingo” specific to their profession. Ask them to define those words if it is not clear to you.
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© 2006 University of Pittsburgh School of MedicineRevised 8/18/2006
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