10 Myths In Construction Industry - Debunked!

Just like in any industry comes the myths about the work, and in construction there’s no exception. Knox Team have collected a few "industry myths" about the construction industry and debunked them on behalf of all future and aspiring members of the construction community. You may find it hard to believe, but working in construction is not all hammers and nails. ;)

1. Construction work is very dangerous:

Looking from the point of view of an outsider, it would definitely seem like construction sites are a hotbed of injuries and accidents. Since adhering to construction safety regulations are very important in the business, construction site accidents are more easily prevented. There are also plenty of activities and tasks within the industry that does not require any heavy lifting or machine operation, so the risk of personal injury is practically non-existent.

2. Contractors are terrible at communication:

General contractors not only focus on overseeing the construction materials, equipment and labor, but they also act as a day-to-day liaison for owners, developers, architects and subcontractors. The construction team will often hold weekly team meetings and communicate with owners daily to share updates, discuss upcoming work and answer questions. Communication with the entire project team and owner is critical to delivering a successful project.

3. There is no advancement in construction careers:

For crying out loud! There are ton of programs, specialized training, apprenticeships, certifications, and degrees that can be obtain over the course of any construction career to enhance anyone’s skill set. Today's helper has the potential to be tomorrow's site supervisor when putting forth the best effort.

4. Women aren't welcome in the industry:

Like hell, they aren't! Almost 9.9 percent of the construction industry workforce are females and earn up to 30% more than they would in roles typically held by women outside the industry.

Women work in a variety of roles in the industry—with 45% working in sales and office roles and 31% working in management positions.

5. Construction projects run over-scheduled and over budget:

While we’ve all heard horror stories about construction projects that are behind schedule and over budget, it’s not a reality for most projects. When architects, contractors, subcontractors, developers and owners meet during preconstruction it helps equip everyone to successfully deliver the project accurately, within budget and on schedule.

It’s important to note that even with additional planning upfront, unknown situations may arise that can impact a project’s budget and schedule; such as weather, hidden underground utilities or inspections and permits that are required before continuing work. Bringing in the construction team early on will allow them to plan for potential unknowns and provide solutions to make up lost time and stay within the initial budget.

While the thought of a construction project may cause some stress for owners, knowing the facts can help provide a more realistic picture of what to expect during construction. With this insight, we can work to alleviate fears and create excitement for upcoming projects.

6. You don’t need an education to work in construction:

You don't just show up on a construction site and get handed tools right off the bat. Like any job, there is some form of training or program to follow in order to be ready for work. Certain forms of construction work require necessary certifications and/or significant training in order to fill the shoe.

What's more, a number of positions in the field such as engineer or architect, require a great degree of high-level thinking and analysis. Numerous entrepreneurship opportunities exist as well.

7. Construction work doesn't pay well:

Like any career choice, you get what you put in it. Many construction career salaries can run in the high-five and low-six figures depending on the specialization and location. On top of that, there are benefits, higher job satisfaction and holidays off to make the compensation more desirable.

What's more, construction industry wage growth is the highestIn the country. Wages are expected to increase by 4.5 percent in the next few years.

8. Automated jobs have stolen roles in the construction industry:

It's true that robots have automated a lot of jobs out there, but technology will always require human monitoring and occasional intervention.

9. Job sites are filthy and unorganized:

When most people imagine a construction site, ‘clean’ is not a word that often comes close to mind. While it may seem chaotic at first glance, contractors carefully plan what operations will be occurring on the job site each day to keep the space as organized and tidy as possible.

With renovations or phased occupancy projects, construction teams may take additional steps to maintain an organized site and keep construction work separate from the client’s operations to minimize disruptions. Before the project is completed and turned over to the owner, the construction team will complete a final round of cleaning to ensure the space passes expectations.

10. The construction industry is dying:

Construction in the US isn't on the decline. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite. The construction industry is booming. It's the fastest growing industry in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you know of any myths about the construction industry you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments!