Clerk of works/site manager

Clerks of works are responsible for seeing that work carried out is up to the specifications laid down by their client, that the workmanship is up to standard and that the correct materials are used. Sometimes they specialise in a particular area of construction, such as civil engineering, electrical or mechanical installations, building or laying of pipelines.
They are sometimes permanently on site, or visit periodically. They can advise the contractors when necessary, but are not allowed to give instructions, as such: they can only relay instructions from their employer, so this means that their work involves acting as an intermediary between their employer and the contractors. They must keep detailed records of all the work carried out, and must know the details of the drawings and instructions supplied to them for when they check the work being done.
Much of the work will be away from home, and hours will vary, especially when a deadline is approaching, but the average working time is 37 – 40 hrs a week. The work is mostly outdoors and in all weathers, climbing up and down buildings and scaffolding, so site managers must be quite fit. Salaries range from £18,000 to £35’000.