Home » Job Profiles » Construction and Manufacturing » Paving Contractor

Paving Contractor

Paving contractors are responsible for building roads, parking lots, building pads and even driveways. Some paving contractors may also work for huge projects such as highway development or paving country rounds, paving airport terminals and runways or working on virtually any other job where paving is required. Contractors are considered to be upper management in construction careers, so contractors usually have specific background in their area of expertise. Most paving contractors have worked on paving crews and have learned the projects by working as laborers, equipment operators or foremen on the various jobs.

Paving contractors are responsible for meeting and connecting with new clients to submit bids or to obtain new business. Many paving contractors work with building developers or contractors on a partnership type basis that allows them to refer each others services to clients for large and small projects. In addition to just bidding on contracts the contractor must do a cost analysis including supplies, labor, equipment charges and all other expenses that will be incurred. He or she will also be the contact between the client and the workers, ensuring that the project stays on schedule or notifying the client if the schedule cannot be met. Weather conditions, equipment problems or even delays in materials can all impact the timeline and can cause problems that the contractor must deal with.

In smaller companies the contractor may be responsible for hiring, training and supervising all employees from office staff to laborers. Training staff on the correct use of equipment as well as the various safety procedures on the jobsites is a key factor for the paving contractor. Most contractors will be required to have a contractor's license for the area they are working in. Most contractors also take some training such as business management or computer training to make their jobs easier and less stressful. In addition the contractor may help out if equipment operators are off work or if a job is falling behind schedule.

Common work activities include:

• Networking with various contractors, construction companies and other local businesses to expand the market and offer services.
• Completing site surveys, completing cost analysis for various bids, writing bids or estimates and meeting with customers to answer questions.
• Coordinating the project from hiring the working crew to ensuring equipment and supplies and paving material is delivered on time.
• Troubleshooting problems that arise during the paving project.
• Hiring, training and supervising workers to ensure everyone is using proper safety procedures on the equipment.
• Invoicing and handling accounts receivable and payable accounts if required.

Check out all of the online human resource degrees offered by a variety of schools offering programs online in labor relations.

Programs related to Paving Contractor careers