Construction Admin Workers: The Hidden Heroes of the Construction Site
Oftentimes, administrative workers in the construction industry tend to be under-recognized. On-site workers are extremely important but it is the off-site administrative workers that make a lot of key decisions on a day-to-day basis. Construction Administration workers are tasked with the responsibility of making sure projects go according to plan as well as resolving any issues that are preventing a smooth project. If the construction crew is the acting cast, the construction administrators are the directors.
Construction Administrative Process
Before a crew can even go on-site and begin working on a project, numerous plans must be made in advance. This is why the administration team is the backbone of the behind the scenes planning. They are in charge of coordinating much of the paperwork, including the submittals to architects, which can be any sort of construction document or drawing, so they can be reviewed and eventually approved or declined.
While construction is in the works, a change order may be made and it is the administrator’s responsibility to review with the architect and make the decision. A change order is any adjustment or alteration that needs to be made to the project. These changes could affect the cost and equipment needed so they are vital to the construction process. Administration ensures that the best decision is made in order to fit client needs.
In addition to pre-build paperwork, environmental and building codes must be accounted for when planning a project and administration oversees these tasks as well. In general, any project planning and preparation is coordinated by administration staff as they are responsible for keeping clients satisfied
A Day in the Life: Construction Administrator
In the construction industry, an administrator can experience busy and chaotic days. A typical day can include several tasks including:
- Evaluating multiple projects and complying with budgets
- Communicating with architects and engineers to review various project necessities
- Recording and tracking all phases of projects
- Monitoring and evaluating all change orders and contractor drawings for further approval/rejection
- Coordinating schedules and processing invoices
There are many more things that might come up in a typical day so having adaptable, proactive staff can go a long way in preparing for any issues or unexpected tasks.
What Differentiates Good from Great
The 3 most important qualities that separate good construction administrators from great ones are a positive attitude, organization of multiple projects at once, and problem-solving. Being an administrator in construction is important work that if not done properly, could result in disaster. Being positive makes it easier for you and everyone working with you to get tasks done effectively and efficiently. In terms of organization, a great administration team does not let a contract or drawing go out of place. All key documents must be sorted by project and held on a tight schedule to ensure maximum efficiency. Another important difference between good and great is what happens after planning is done. How a team operates when plans change is detrimental to success. Coordination while problem-solving is needed in order to make the most optimal decisions when modifying a project.
What you can do to show your admin staff your appreciation
Keep April 27th on your calendar this year because it is Administrative Professionals’ Day in Canada! Allow your administrative team a break from their busy schedules and treat them to some coffee and snacks. Without them, buildings could literally collapse!
We appreciate all of the hard work that construction administration teams do around the world. We especially appreciate and thank our own team as they have kept the ball rolling for us since the beginning. Show some love to construction administration in 2022!
