Construction contractors have some of the highest pay and greatest benefits of working-class industrial workers. The accessibility of actually starting the path to becoming a construction contractor makes the potential job path that much more attractive. If you want a job that can help you raise a family in any state, and which can be easily obtained (with the right amount of dedication), this is an excellent choice for you. To help you on your journey toward success, here are the 5 key steps to becoming a successful construction contractor:
1. Obtain an Associate’s Degree
The first step to becoming a high-earning, high-level construction contractor is to set up your base understanding of the business landscape. Earning an associate’s degree will assist aspiring construction contractors, and degree paths such as construction management or construction technology are tailor-made to give you the most out of your studies. Important knowledge in areas such as algebra, composition, surveying, and safety practices will be included in the program, as well as more hyper-specific courses as well. With these skillset boosting classes, you’ll have a massive head start toward succeeding in the contracting world in comparison to your competitors. You’ll learn even more useful skills during your associate’s journey, so be sure to seriously consider this step.
2. Find a Position at a Contract Company
Getting experience in your field and learning the ropes of the contracting side of construction is the next step, and to do that, you’ll need to secure a position at a contract company. Thankfully, the high demand for workers in the field will allow you to score a job with ease if you have a relevant associate’s degree and a professional attitude. Many workers going down this path will opt for working under a general contractor or construction contractor who’s fully licensed to begin understanding the full ins and outs of their dream job. Some candidates will combine this stage with completing a bachelor’s degree on top of their associate’s degree, typically in an area of finance or business management.
3. Obtain Your Contractor’s License
Obtaining a contractor’s license will put you heads and shoulders above competition that fails to handle this level of the professional ladder. While you can find work without a license (in some states), being licensed will greatly expand your opportunities and ability to land jobs and contracts. Depending on the state or local municipal regulations you’re dealing with, you might have to get a contractor’s license at one point or another, so getting this step out of the way as you finalize step one and two is highly recommended. If you’ve obtained a full-on bachelor’s degree, you should have the knowledge set needed to pass your licensing exam with flying colors.
4. Become a Contractor
Step four is simple enough: becoming a full-fledged construction contractor. With the experience, education, and licenses under your belt, you’ll begin having the level of expertise needed to excel in your field. Many people prefer to work for another company at first, but some will go straight into running their own business at this level as well. Whatever your taste is, you’ll be certain to feel immense pride at having finally become a full-fledged construction contractor. With the constant job opportunities, ability to come in the path of recently allocated infrastructure funding, and a nearly unrivaled amount of job flexibility, you’ll be glad you took the leap and became a contractor.
5. Obtain Your Voluntary Certification Qualifications
There are several high-profile certifications and organization memberships that are valuable to have when working as a construction contractor. The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) are two organizations that will help you mingle and network with other professional, fully-fledged construction contractors. While these are not necessary to be successful, they are nearly certain to pull you up to new heights of success. Additionally, joining the organizations as soon as you first dip your toes into the waters as a fully-licensed contractor is a great way to quickly build up your reputation in the industry.
Your Future is Ready for You
The massively reliable, fulfilling and profitable nature of the contracting industry is ready for you to join it. With these 5 key steps, you’ll feel assured that you’re on a certain path toward becoming a fully-licensed and effective construction contractor. Reaching out to existing construction contractors in your area along this journey will ensure you’re able to find success in that much more certain of a fashion. Perhaps no other major job in America right now is as tailor-fit for working class families, so be sure to seriously consider taking advantage of this amazing career choice.