How to Hire a Construction Superintendent

Construction Superintendent: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a construction superintendent?

A construction superintendent is a third party appointed by the principal who commissions the project to supervise and administer the construction project contract. They act as an agent for the principal by assessing the standards and quality of the work, considering whether the work is complete, and assessing changes, such as requests for time extensions. They use their knowledge of construction law to administer the contract and ensure that the obligations of both the principal and contractors are met.

Why hire a construction superintendent?

A construction superintendent can be useful to monitor your company’s legal obligations under the project contract and ensure your employees are meeting them, as well as ensuring that the contractors you engage to fulfil the project are meeting their respective legal obligations, too. This can help you avoid costly legal problems as issues are curtailed or remedied quickly, with solutions often facilitated by the superintendent. As they are a third party, they take an independent view so that your interests or those of the contractors are not always put first, providing balance in the working arrangement.

Contributions of a great construction superintendent include:

• directing and instructing contractors and their employees on your behalf, including requests to vary the work
• ensuring compliance with building codes and other regulations, as well as the quality of the work
• acting as a liaison between the principal, contractors, engineers and architects, including conducting conflict resolution if required.

Defining your hiring needs for a construction superintendent

A construction superintendent is usually required for large and complex projects to ensure the operation runs smoothly and nothing is inadvertently overlooked. They are also a valuable asset when there are complex terms and conditions outlined in the contract, and significant legal consequences if they are not fulfilled. For very complex projects, you may decide to engage separate superintendents who will focus on different facets of the project, such as an electrical superintendent or a plumbing superintendent, who will report to an overall construction superintendent. However, a construction manager may be sufficient to organise the project.

What are the types of construction superintendents?

The construction industry is classified into three sectors – residential, commercial and civil construction. Construction superintendents typically have specialist skills and experience in one of these sectors. Within each sector, there are subsectors, such as mining in civil construction, in which superintendents may further specialise to maintain up-to-date knowledge.

When writing your construction superintendent job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on construction superintendent jobs, according to Indeed data:

• superintendent
• electrical superintendent
• FIFO
• construction
• civil supervisor
• construction superintendent
• electrical
• mining
• engineering manager.

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Where to find construction superintendents?

To find the right construction superintendent for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Engage a recruitment firm: Specialist firms often have a list of potential candidates, whom they have already pre-screened and can suggest are right for the role.
• Develop existing staff: Consider training employees so they have the skills required when a vacancy occurs.
• Join an industry association: Attending events and conferences can expand your network of contacts who may hold the skills you require.
• Ask for referrals: Request referrals from existing employees as well as your network.
• Post your job online: Try posting your construction superintendent job on Indeed to find and attract quality construction superintendent candidates.

Skills to look for in a construction superintendent

A successful construction superintendent candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• solid understanding of contract law as it applies to the construction industry
• management skills to work in a professional as well as a trades environment
• knowledge of building codes, safety regulations and quality assurance procedures
• strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• excellent communication skills, particularly in conflict management and negotiation
• White Card certification to access construction sites when required.

Writing a construction superintendent job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job seeker search terms and hiring insights for a construction superintendent, you’re ready to write a job description.

A construction superintendent job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your vacant role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing construction superintendent job descriptions.

Interviewing construction superintendent candidates

Strong candidates for construction superintendent positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• prior experience with and understanding of construction contract law
• project management skills and experience
• ability to instruct and liaise with construction professionals and tradespeople from a variety of occupational backgrounds
• ability to remain independent to ensure the obligations of all project partners are met
• attention to detail and commitment to quality control.

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of construction superintendent interview questions for examples (with sample answers).