Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the construction industry?
The life of a building supervisor like Bob the Builder is far more intricate and demanding than one might imagine. From the crack of dawn to late in the evening, Bob's day is a whirlwind of inspections, paperwork, and constant problem-solving. Join us as we look into a typical day in Bob's life, revealing the dedication and hard work that goes into making sure every construction project runs smoothly.
So, I was thinking. Many might be curious about what a day in the life of Bob the Builder entails. Perhaps you imagine someone leaning against a shovel or picture a burly guy in blue shorts with a less-than-ideal posture (exposed bum crack). But there's so much more to it than that.
A typical day for Bob the Builder, or Joe the Building Supervisor, starts early. Bob wakes up at 4:30 a.m., showers, eats breakfast, and heads to his home office. His first task is to review the call forward sheets for each job site he manages. A call forward sheet is a job summary detailing each element that needs to be organised, along with install or delivery dates and comments about the booking.
Bob carefully checks each job call forward, comparing what has already been booked with the current state of the job site, considering any weather delays and anticipating future needs. He then writes out faxes to suppliers, tradesmen, and companies for the materials or services required for each site.
Once the paperwork is done, Bob begins his circuit, driving to each job site under his control to inspect progress. At each site, he pulls out the call forward sheet, checks what materials should have been delivered, and ensures that the trades scheduled to be onsite are there and working. He verifies that completed installations meet industry standards and contractual obligations, noting any issues in his site diary for follow-up.
If something or someone is missing or hasn't started, Bob makes phone calls and notes the discrepancies on the call forward sheet and in his diary. He communicates with the tradesmen, ensuring they have what they need, reminding them of the work standards, handing them purchase orders and organising new work for them to continue with.
Bob is not just a builder but also an accountant, handling invoices from tradesmen for completed work and sometimes even for work that hasn't been done. He balances the labour force (resource management), ensuring quality on each job site and meeting contractual time obligations. Bob needs to know the status of each tradesman and supplier to move them to new job sites efficiently.
During site visits, Bob also inspects items that clients have asked him to check. He calls them back while onsite to answer their questions. Time on each site varies depending on the construction stage; for example, frame stage inspections can take up to three hours to ensure quality.
Managing up to 23 sites means Bob might only see four sites in a day if a detailed inspection is needed. He aims to visit all his sites by Wednesday each week to coordinate his labour force. Wednesdays include labour meetings to share resources with co-workers, while Thursdays and Fridays are for revisiting urgent sites and handling client appointments and inspections.
Mondays are chaotic, with two days of missed calls and clients visiting sites over the weekend. Bob's phone is constantly ringing on Monday and Tuesday. His circuit can be a 300km round trip, involving repeated inspections, quality control, phone calls, notes, and observations.
Bob also handles maintenance and service requests for completed houses, fitting these appointments into his schedule. He meets with clients to answer questions, discuss industry standards, and conduct practical completion inspections (PCI). These PCI meetings, lasting 2-3 hours, ensure the home meets contractual specifications and industry standards. A final list of unfinished items and defects is created, and Bob and the client set a timeline for completion and handover.
Throughout the day, Bob juggles site inspections, organising tasks, quality checks, and managing the workforce. He collects invoices, manages tradesmen's time, and plans for the future. Balancing client questions, meetings with industry standards, and constant phone calls make his job demanding.
Bob often eats lunch in his car while driving between sites. At the end of the day, he returns home to his office, sits down with his site diary and call forward sheets, and follows up on the day's notes. By 8 p.m., Bob finishes his work, eats dinner, enjoys a bottle of red wine, and goes to sleep, ready to repeat the cycle the next day.
Reflecting on his role, Bob sometimes feels he just organises others, helping them manage their business and ensuring tasks are done right the first time. But without Bob, the construction process would lack the essential coordination and oversight he provides. Bob is crucial, and his efforts are invaluable, even if he needs occasional reminders of his importance.
A day in the life of Bob the Builder is far from mundane. It's a complex, high-stakes juggling act that ensures every construction project is completed to the highest standard. Bob's dedication, attention to detail, and relentless drive to meet deadlines and client expectations make him an indispensable part of the construction process.
So, the next time you see a new house being built, remember the unsung heroes like Bob, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen.
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