For most construction firms, using outsourcers or subcontractors for various construction takeoff services just makes a ton of sense. It allows projects to be completed quicker and usually ensures a higher level of accuracy as you are contacting niche experts to handle certain tasks. Within these niches, there are some pretty profitable and rewarding job opportunities.
As this is that time of year when teenagers and young 20-somethings are entering the job market, we thought it might be fun to present them with a few career options that they might not have considered previously. After all, our industry is far more than operating heavy machinery and putting up drywall, although naturally those tasks are important.
Of course, it’s crucial that we kind of explain construction takeoff services. Takeoff basically is one of the first steps in a construction project, when a company estimates all of the materials that will be needed for the project, from the number of lightbulbs to the amount of dirt that will need to be brought in or taken away (or both).
We don’t actually consider the cost of the labor itself within the guise of construction takeoff services, we are strictly looking at materials, but that doesn’t mean that outsourced labor won’t be crucial, including the following jobs.
1. Drone Operators
Today, it’s all about the drones and if you don’t yet have a drone operator (or several) on your team, hiring a drone expert is a great idea. Drones provide the cheapest and safest way to monitor a construction site at any stage, from the early surveying tasks to the day the project is complete.
In fact, if you are searching for a great career and love working outdoors, consider purchasing a high-quality drone and becoming an expert drone operator. A quality drone operator can earn about $21 per hour or more, so this can be a great side business or even a full-time business.
2. Security
Security is often a concern at construction sites, installing security cameras and taking other security measures often is crucial, such as hiring on-site security guards. This is actually another business opportunity for someone searching for a profitable and rewarding career.
Whether you are the one responsible for setting up the security equipment, the person monitoring the scene from afar or perhaps the dude that’s keeping things safe on site at night, there’s always a need for construction security. Until they start building security robots (fast forward to a Terminator-esque future reality), security personnel will be needed at many construction sites.
3. Fire Protection
Obviously, every dwelling, whether it’s a residence or commercial structure, will need to meet (or exceed!) fire codes. Of course, your company may build in a myriad of cities, states and countries, and each location will have its own unique rules and regulations. This is one of those jobs that’s typically best left to the locals, as they know what’s required.
A fire protection specialist is not just knowledgeable about fire codes; they also know how to install and repair complex fire alarm systems as well as installing emergency and exit lighting. These companies also can provide you with sprinkler systems, install fire extinguishers and provide you with whatever fire safety equipment might be needed at any given site.
Typically, the professionals that complete these tasks are licensed electrical contractors, and fire safety can be a great niche within the electrical industry. To get started, you’ll want to find a trade school in your area that specializes in electrician training. After completing your coursework, you’ll work as a paid apprentice for several years, before becoming either a journeyman electrician or eventually a master electrician.
4. HVAC Specialists
When a construction project includes any type of building, from a single story home to a skyscraper, HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) technicians are needed. Not only do HVAC techs install heating, ventilation and cooling systems, they also will provide repairs.
This can be a fantastic career opportunity because it’s something that will always be needed. No matter what state you live in, these HVAC systems have to be installed and maintained. Technology has changed the construction industry drastically, but the need for qualified HVAC technicians has not abated.
5. X-Ray Technician
Ok, we admit that this doesn’t have anything to do with construction takeoff services, but it’s still a unique job within the construction industry. As an industrial x-ray technician, you won’t be taking pictures of humans but rather studying structure defects using gamma ray images, ultrasound imaging and x-ray imaging.
For instance, you might study structures such as a bridge or railroad tracks to look for any defects. Obviously if any of the materials in a bridge or railroad track are defective, this could be potentially catastrophic, so industrial x-ray techs are important professionals and it’s not a career that many people know about.
For many of these jobs, a two-year degree or certificate might be required as well as many hours served as an apprentice. For other jobs, you may need a four-year degree as well as additional certifications. Obviously, college costs can be exorbitant, but for many of these jobs, joining a branch of the military can be an inexpensive way to become a trained specialist.
For instance, if you join the Army, you can work to become everything from an HVAC specialist to an electrician. You can learn the skills needed to become a mason, a building inspector, a surveying technician and much more. And, that’s just for enlisted soldiers. Officers have additional options, and the military will pay for your schooling as well as providing you with tons of training and experience.
If the military doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, consider looking at your local trade schools and junior colleges and checking out the educational costs. Don’t forget to look into any available scholarships and grants, as well as financial aid to help cover some of the educational costs.
A Look At Our Services
As for Earth Calc, what is our job within the myriad of construction takeoff services? We provide dirt estimates and machine control files for any size construction project. For both of these tasks, we use the latest software programs from industry leaders such as AGTEK and Trimble.
Today, using computer programs for construction takeoff services is crucial, as these programs are far more accurate than pencil and paper. For instance, with our machine control files, we can calculate a grading project down to the centimeter to ensure that everything is completed precisely as it should be.
If you already are proficient with CAD software, you might be a great candidate for a career in the engineering or construction industries. For our part among construction takeoff service, we take CAD files and PDF files and use those to create dirt estimates using software from companies such as Trimble and AGTEK. If you head to their websites, you can find training workshops that will provide you with some solid information about these software programs.