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JWDD004-app-F JWDD004-Halpin-v6 August 4, 2005 12:12
Appendix F
AGC Builders Association of Chicago: Typical Agent
Job Descriptions
PROJECT MANAGER
A. General Functions
The project manager in the construction industry is usually an ÒinsideÓ and ÒoutsideÓ man.
The position may vary considerably from company to company. The project manager in
some companies may be an estimator, and expeditor, and even handle some duties normally
done by the job superintendent, while with other companies he may merely supervise
superintendents.
B. Detailed Functions
1. May procure the invitation to bid on jobs.
2. May, when working as an estimator, prepare bids.
3. May handle the legal requirements for a contract.
4. May negotiate the specialty contractorÕs arrangements and agreements.
5. Set up completion schedules by bar graph or critical path method.
6. Supervise subcontractors and coordinate their material deliveries.
7. Arrange for sufficient manpower for the project.
8. Supervise superintendents on the jobÑÒwalk the jobÓ each day to see progress
being made and, during this time, review the work with a superintendent.
9. Control the movement of workers from one job to another.
10. Arrange for permits from the city, county, and so forth.
11. Hire and fire superintendents, foremen, engineers, and other personnel under his
supervision.
12. Set up occupancy dates for buildings.
13. Act as public relations representative.
14. Coordinate with architect and owner requested revisions or errors found in
drawings.
ESTIMATOR
An estimator makes as close an estimate as possible of what the costs will be. In order to
do so, he must itemize all of the building materials and calculate labor costs for the entire
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projectÑthe cost estimate may also include a percentage for profit, though this may be done
with or by top management.
1. Mail or telephone bid proposals to subcontractors.
2. Follow up with subcontractors on submission of their bids.
3. Review bid with subcontractors.
4. Prior to bid, inspect job site to determine access and that the land is the same as on
the plans. Look for water conditions and other problems that might arise.
5. Analyze plans and specifications, that is, Òlearn the job.Ó
6. Make a takeoff for each type of work to be done by general contractor forces.
7. Does takeoff for subcontractors when necessary.
8. May sit in on owner, architect, and contractor conferences.
9. May check on other estimatorÕs work or have his work checked by another estimator.
10. Price the quantity takeoffs.
11. Read prints, noting discrepancies.
12. Make itemized lists of prices for materials.
13. Review and preview subcontractorsÕ bids.
14. In some companies, purchase steel, lumber, and all other materials necessary for
the job.
15. Compute a percentage for overhead and profit, which would be added to estimated
cost.
16. Arrive at final bid price or cost price.
17. Prepare change order (estimates cost of changes) as needed or requiredÑif major
item and not handled by field personnel.
18. Expedite distribution of plans, including general and mechanical.
19. Serve in quality control capacity, because of position in purchasing, and plan review.
20. Make bar graphs, network, or CPM for scheduling.
21. Make cost breakdown of work performed by company forces for cost control
purposes.
EXPEDITOR
An expeditor may schedule or coordinate job material requirements. He serves as a troubleshooter
when there is a breakdown in delivery schedule. He foresees problems by reviewing
plans and specifications of the subcontractors and coordinating these with the plans
and specifications of the architect.
1. In some companies receives the plans and specifications and breaks the specifications
down by trade.
Appendix F 355
2. In some companies writes to all subcontractors advising them what is necessary to
do on their plans.
3. Follows up on drawings, that is, shop drawings or the detailed drawings of project.
4. Submits drawings to the architect after having checked them to see if they match,
that the job is correct, that the materials used are those specified, and analyzes the
5. Maintains constant follow-up on plans and drawings to ensure documents reach
the proper place at the proper time.
6. Distributes approved plans to subs or to anyone else who should get them. Has to
order enough plans from subcontractors so that entrusted parties will have sufficient
documentation for project schedule.
7. In some companies establishes delivery time for materials, equipment, or labor,
based on when they will be required and when they can be acquired, and determines
the lead time required for acquisition.
8. May follow a CPM printout, make out delivery schedules, use a bar graph method
or the critical path method. Makes sure the shop items are on the critical path
method or the bar graph.
9. In some companies does small buying such as purchasing mailboxes, signs, and
finish items.
10. Maintains constant follow-up to ensure that schedule is accomplished.
11. Checks all incoming tests to ensure they meet specifications.
12. In some companies checks the concrete design, that is, the mix or fixed formula of
the concrete used.
13. Plans material delivery and schedules with job superintendents.
14. Keeps in contact each day with subcontractors.
15. Writes memos as needed to architects, superintendents, subcontractors, and so
forth.
16. Follows up daily on trouble areas, that is, those places where delivery of materials
may be lagging.
17. In some companies accumulates change order information.
18. Generally troubleshoots, especially for delivery problems.
EQUIPMENT SUPERINTENDENT
Maintains and repairs equipment owned by company. To do this, he supervises garage and
yard personnel and coordinates delivery of equipment to the specific job sites and expedites
repairs and deliveries.
1. Supervises, maintains, and repairs.
2. Purchases parts for maintenance and repairs.
3. Expedites repairs of equipment that cannot be done in the company garage.
356 Appendix F
4. Keeps detailed records of equipment, including maintenance costs for each piece of
equipment.
5. Keeps track of equipment, that is, which job is using it at any given time.
6. Makes recommendations concerning purchase of new equipment.
7. Provides delivery of equipment to job sites, helps to plan the time, provides means
of delivery to the site, and provides equipment setup at site.
8. Keeps weekly repair costs on his crew.
9. Prepares an annual budget for operation.
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT
Builds the building. Manages men and materials on the job site so that the project is built for
profit. Coordinates schedules so that men and materials are available to promote efficient
erection of the building at a profit level.
1. ÒLearns the building.Ó Studies plans and specifications so that he can plan the work
to be accomplished.
2. Tries to anticipate problems.
3. Studies the costs.
4. Arranges scheduling and manufacture of building parts or components.
5. Coordinates building when the manufactured items become available for the
building.
6. Does survey and layout work or supervises technical or field engineer who does
this.
7. Keeps constant check on all trades, overseeing workmanship and materials.
8. Hires and fires workmen.
9. Supplies information to accounting department so that records of costs can be
maintained.
10. Supervises men directly or indirectly (i.e., through the foreman).
11. May be responsible for deliveries.
12. Is responsible for drawings and seeing that drawings are made of changes or incomplete
items.
13. Arranges for plan changes as needed.
14. May be responsible for written schedules or physical schedules.
15. Does on-the-spot estimating (material or labor).
16. May price out extra items or charges.
17. Does limited buying (supplies and items missed by the purchasing department).
18. Makes daily safety inspections.
19. May record daily field activities in a log.
Appendix F 357
MECHANICAL SUPERINTENDENT
The mechanical superintendent coordinates subcontractorÕs work with that of the general
contractor to ensure that project remains on schedule and quality is maintained.
1. Compiles listing of major mechanical electrical equipment required.
2. Expedites shop drawings and equipment deliveries.
3. Assists in preparation of project schedules.
4. Prepares weekly progress reports on electrical and mechanical work.
5. Coordinates subcontractorsÕ work with general contractor.
6. Checks schedule to ensure project is on schedule.
7. Supervises general contractorÕs work done for subcontractors (equipment production,
excavations, etc.).
8. Processes and distributes shop drawings.
9. Supervises, inspects, and evaluates work performed by subcontractorsÑensures
there is compliance with plans and specifications.
10. Supervises project closely to ensure that the owner is getting his moneyÕs worth
on subcontractor work.
SCHEDULING ENGINEER (FIELD ENGINEER)
Scheduling engineer schedules and coordinates. He serves as a troubleshooter when there
is a breakdown in delivery schedule. He maintains a constant follow-up on the schedule to
ensure progress as previously planned.
1. Receives plans and specifications and breaks them down by trade.
2. Writes to all subcontractors telling them when their work is necessary on the
schedule.
3. Expedites follow-up for drawings, that is, shop drawings or detailed drawings.
Checks with own staff for follow-up.
4. Keeps a close follow-up to ensure that plans and drawings reach the right people
at the right time.
5. Establishes delivery times for materials, equipment, or labor, based on when they
can be acquired, and determines the lead time required for acquisitions.
6. Makes out delivery schedules, using a bar graph method or critical path method.
Makes sure that the shop items are on the bar graph or CPM.
7. Discusses material delivery and scheduling with job superintendent.
8. Keeps in touch with subcontractors as needed.
9. Writes memos as needed to superintendents, subcontractors, and so forth.
358 Appendix F
10. Follows up daily on trouble areas, where delivery of materials may be lagging.
11. Generally troubleshoots.
TIMEKEEPER
A timekeeper is primarily concerned with maintaining cost control of labor force on a
project. He maintains payroll records and may also maintain records on material deliveries.
1. Ensures that the men are on the job, checks what specific tasks they are performing,
and checks this against job sheets given to him daily by the foreman.
2. Checks with the foreman to determine exact job and classification of work each
man is doing so that the work can be coded and entered against the correct amount.
3. Walks the job a few times each day.
4. Computes previous dayÕs work sheets to obtain costs.
5. Projects daily costs to determine ifworkwas completed within the allocated budget.
6. Talks over costs with superintendent.
7. Posts workersÕ hours to the payroll on a daily basis.
8. Types a cost report each week. In some companies this may be done by central
office staff.
9. Types payroll each week. In some companies this may be done by central office
staff.
10. Types paychecks each week. In some companies this may be done by central office
11. Types all back charges and time tickets.
12. Estimates costs of requests from subcontractors for sheds, shanties, carpenters, and
concrete work performed for them.
13. May compile subcontractorsÕ invoices for payment and discuss these with architect
to determine accuracy.
14. Codes all delivery tickets to maintain costs on all building parts.
15. Keeps records of all reinforcing steel deliveries.
16. Records all concrete pours.
17. May assist superintendent by ordering labor, lumber, and other materials.
18. On certain big load days may call the union halls for extra men; will sign these
men for the day and pay them by check at night.
19. Signs up all new workmen (W-4 forms, applications, etc.) and submits originals to
central office.
20. Enters new employeesÕ names and proper wage rate for the particular trade on
payroll.
21. Types monthly report on welfare and pension. In some companies this may be done
at the central office.
22. Balances the payroll and types it each Monday. Submits it to the main office so
that checks can be made out and returned to the job site by Wednesday. In some
companies this may be done at central office.
Appendix F 359
23. May travel to various job sites and perform same duties for each of the projects.
24. On projects involving federal funds, he collects payroll data from subcontractors
for submission to the government in compliance with their regulations.
25. Maintains time record on company truck drivers when material deliveries are made.
26. May supervise Òtime checkersÓ on larger project.
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