The word construction is a loaded term that can mean anything from drafting designs, laying the groundwork, building the structure, and even demolishing existing infrastructure. The industry itself is a vast field with different niches and levels of expertise that cannot be done without ample knowledge.
Those pieces of knowledge didn’t exist when the Egyptians first began creating their pyramids. They didn’t have college degrees, nor did they have the tools available to you today. They only had their common sense to depend on, but they learned from trial and error.
Building structures from nothing is an art form that requires a harmonious balance of planning, executing, and maintaining for the structure to withstand natural elements as well as unforeseeable circumstances.
To succeed in this industry, you first have to acknowledge the many facets of construction. You might know that you want to enter this complex field, but do you know what niche you want to specialize in? Find out more about four of the most common niches in construction below:
Do You Want to Lay the Foundation for Structures?
If your answer to this question is yes, then your business’ niche can be in groundwork and excavating services. You will be in charge of literally paving the way for these structures before they are even built. A good foundation is the key to all structures’ stability and longevity, so doing this will take skill.
To establish a business in this specialty, you’ll have to learn about the condition of the terrains in the area you will service. You will also have to know how to do over-excavation, compaction, backfill, and soil stabilization properly, or else the entire foundation can be compromised.
Do You Want to Build the Structures?
If your answer to this question is yes, then your business’ niche can provide construction services to companies and interested individuals. You can be working on both small and large projects, depending mostly on your client’s necessity.
This is manual labor that will require long hours, which can span anywhere from a few weeks to a year, sometimes even more. General construction can refer to projects involving designing, building, or remodeling structures on a laid-out foundation.
Do You Want to Provide Roofs or Tiles to Structures?
If your answer to this question is yes, then your business’ niche can be a roofing or tile company that provides supplies to builders and offers installation or maintenance services. This profession requires stamina and endurance because of all the heavy lifting, as well as a keen attention to detail.
Becoming a roof or tile contractor means that you can work on and install your products on walls, floors, and ceilings. You can have clients in both private and commercial establishments when you enter this field of business.
Do You Want to Work on Structures in All Aspects?
If your answer to this question is yes, your business’s niche can be in contractual services. You can establish yourself as a contractor and create an inviting portfolio by working on different field projects. Once you have a solid background, you can now offer your services to potential clients.
No one will want to work with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, especially not when you’re supposed to be building a house or a commercial space. To establish your credibility as a business owner and a contractor, you have to work with other companies or experts in your field to gain experience and firsthand knowledge.
Of course, there are always more specialties that you can choose from when deciding what to focus on for your business. You can specialize in honing your artistic skills by offering design or painting services to your clients. Or you can learn about the complex systems of plumbing or electrical wiring that are vital to all structures, commercial or private.
You can also go through the more direct and specialized path of architecture or engineering. In which case, you’ll have to get a degree and pass the licensure exams to work in the industry. Even after that, you will have more options to consider, such as focusing on commercial establishments or public infrastructure.
The world of construction is as vast as it is complex. It began from the Pyramids of Egypt or the columns of the Parthenon, and it most certainly won’t end with the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as the tallest building on Earth. Your dream of creating structures might have begun with you playing with Legos, but you can only realize it when you put in the work.