12/12/2018

THE BUILDER’S SUPERINTENDENT

AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

BY:

NELSON S. TAPSIRUL
Civil Engineer

SIMILAR TERMS

Builder Superintendent

Construction Superintendent

Project Superintendent

Superintendent

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIFE CYCLE:

A Review

 PROJECT INITIATION
Project Inception Stage

 PROJECT PLANNING
Pre-Construction Stage

 PROJECT EXECUTION
Construction Stage

 PROJECT CLOSING
Post-Construction Stage

CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

In the United States, a Construction Superintendent is

responsible for the day-to-day operations on a construction
site, overseeing all the phases from initial planning to
completion. The equivalent in the UK is the General Foreman.

The Construction Superintendent is typically site-based and

coordinates with the more office-based project manager on
quality control and subcontractor coordination.

Typically, the Construction Superintendent is involved in pre-

construction budgeting and estimating, and monitors costs
during construction to help ensure they stay on budget.

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CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

A Construction Superintendent can specialize in different types

of project, whether infrastructure works such as bridges and
dams, residential or commercial projects.

On very large projects there can be multiple ranks of

Superintendents, broken down into different roles, including:
 Program Superintendent (overall coordination)
 Superstructure Superintendent
 MEPF Superintendent
 Interior Superintendent
 Assistant Superintendent
 Others

CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

The superintendent is often tasked with interviewing and

selecting workers for the site, in addition to communicating the
site rules and ensuring that they are enforced.

They also prepare the work schedule, organize site logistics,

approve time-off requests, time cards, are the point of contact
for workers relating to pay and benefits, provide necessary
training, inspect and approve the works, and so on.

It is essential that construction superintendents have several

years experience in the industry and some employers also
require college degrees in construction project management or
related subjects.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

A general Construction Superintendent oversees every phase of

a construction project, from the initial planning to its
completion.

There are superintendents who specialize in public works

projects, like bridges and dams. Others specialize in building
offices or houses.

While a general construction superintendent’s responsibility

varies based on the project and employer, there are certain
tasks that are common to the occupation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. HANDLING HUMAN RESOURCE MATTERS

A construction superintendent interviews and selects workers
for the job site. He or she is almost always responsible for
communicating rules that involve on-site safety procedures to
new hires as well as enforcing those rules.

Superintendents also routinely serve as timekeepers and

approve workers’ time cards. They are typically responsible for
preparing the work schedule and approving time-off requests.

Construction superintendents are often called upon to answer

employees’ questions about benefits and pay.

Superintendents are also responsible for familiarizing

themselves with all labor contracts to ensure that there are no
violations of the contract terms.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

2. SUPERVISING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

On large job sites, a construction superintendent typically acts
as the supervisor to the foremen who are, in turn, responsible
for supervising the workers. On smaller construction sites, the
construction superintendent may also function as a manager
and directly relay instructions to the workers in the absence of
a foreman.

Superintendents often direct workers on the order in which

specific tasks need to be performed. Irrespective of how much
direct supervision they provide, superintendents typically are
responsible for inspecting and approving all of the work that is
performed by contractors, subcontractors, and employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

3. HANDLING ACCOUNTING FUNCTIONS

A general construction superintendent is often involved in the
development of pre-construction budgets and estimates. As a
project progresses, he or she monitors expenses in order to
ensure the budget is maintained. If a project runs over budget,
the superintendent is tasked with determining whether or not
the company can make up the difference.

The superintendent also maintains all records pertaining to

labor and material costs, often enlisting the aid of construction
management software, a secretary, or an accounting clerk. On
larger jobs, they often work with all three.

Superintendents also track inventory of all materials and

supplies to help ensure against loss and help keep the job on
schedule.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

4. COORDINATING ALL ONSITE ACTIVITIES

A construction superintendent is responsible for coordinating
all of the work carried out by laborers and tradespeople. They
work closely with architects and engineers, lawyers, and other
professionals as well.

Superintendents also coordinate work schedules in a way that

prevents conflicts in the workflow, ensuring that things get
done in a proper and precise order and that the materials to do
the job are in place when the task comes up in the workflow.

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PROJECT MANAGER vs CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

Project Managers have sole source responsibility for project

delivery. They are ultimately empowered to make decisions over
all aspects of the project. It is vitally important that the
manager has the authority of executive management to fully
make decisions (Clough and Sears, 1994).

The project manager is responsible for leading a team in the

construction of a particular project.

Project managers typically create schedules, budgets, pay

requests, requests for information, requests for proposals,
schedule updates, document distribution, and many other
miscellaneous items related to project progress.

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PROJECT MANAGER vs CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

Construction Superintendents are involved in the project after

the design has been completed. They ensure that the project is
being constructed to the parameters set forth in the
construction document and in accordance with regulatory codes
(Mincks & Johnston, 2004).

The superintendent will generally be physically stationed at the

jobsite. He will have a job trailer from which he works and
interacts daily with foreman and workers at the site.

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PROJECT MANAGER vs CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

PROJECT MANAGER
Long-Term Focus
 Setting time, cost, and quality targets

 Manage schedule, budget, and pay apps

 Track and oversee design changes

 Monitor project progress

SUPERINTENDENT
Day-to-Day Focus
 Monitor physical job site

 Relay information between field and office

 Maintain worksite quality, speed, and morale

 Coordinate site layout, and direct equipment & deliveries

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PROJECT MANAGER vs CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT

The Construction Superintendent and the Project Manager can

be different in that the superintendent often works with the
construction crew, while the project manager is often a member
of the administrative management staff.

SUPERINTENDENT PROJECT MANAGER

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
As Perceived in the Academe

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
As Practiced in the Industry

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EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Most employers have strict criteria to which they adhere when

selecting candidates. The vast majority look for candidates who
have a minimum of four years’ experience in their trade, and
many employers require even more experience.

Educational requirements are broad and also vary by employer.

Some will accept an applicant who has an adequate amount of
experience, while other will typically consider only candidates
who hold a four-year college degree in the field of construction
project management.

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LEGAL REQUIREMENT

In state of NY, a Construction Superintendent is required for the ff jobs:

 New building construction

 Full demolition of an existing building

 An alteration to an existing building that involves one of the ff:

 A vertical enlargement;
 A horizontal enlargement;
 The alteration/demolition of more than 50% of the floor area of
the building during the course of work over any 12 month period;
 The removal of one or more floors during the course of work
over any 12 month period;
 Work that requires a special inspection for underpinning; or
 Work that requires a special inspection for the protection of
sides of excavations.
 Other jobs that pose an enhanced risk to the public and property, as
determined by the commissioner.

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JOB HIRING (LOCAL)

Brgy. Simlong, Batangas

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JOB HIRING (ABROAD)

Destination: Oman

Destination: Saudi Arabia 21

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