The construction industry is the sector that brings engineering and architectural projects to life in buildings and infrastructure works, executing each stage—from soil analysis to finishing—with technical rigor and adherence to safety standards. This multidisciplinary process brings together civil engineers, architects, and construction managers to ensure structures are solid, functional, and aligned with client needs.
According to Business Wire, the civil engineering sector generated $13.7 trillion in revenue worldwide in 2022—equivalent to approximately 13% of the global GDP. The industry was valued at $12.74 trillion in 2023, employing over 100 million professionals and supporting around 220 million jobs (or nearly 7% of the global workforce).
This sector concentrates most of its activity in superpower markets—Asia-Pacific alone accounts for 40.8% of production. Meanwhile, China, the USA, and India contribute nearly 60% of global spending.
The 100 largest construction companies in the world generated $1.5 trillion in revenue in 2022. To support this, all stages—from planning and design to execution, maintenance, and restoration—must be orchestrated with strict quality, schedule, and cost controls.
That’s why today we will talk about the professionals involved in construction, the industry’s activities, and how it handles workplace safety. Scroll down to learn more about sustainability in construction, along with crucial data for those looking to invest in companies in the field.
Professionals Involved in the Construction Industry
Construction professionals play an essential role in delivering any project within the industry. They work alongside material sales professionals and managers to enable the delivery of electrical projects, homes, and even entire condominiums.
There are three main categories of jobs in the construction industry:
- Unskilled jobs: which do not require formal education or specific certifications
- Trades and specialized jobs: generally require professional training or on-the-job practical training
- Technical construction professions
1. Purchasing manager
Also known as a procurement manager or simply a “buyer,” this professional is responsible for acquiring all the materials needed for a construction project.
This is a highly important role for the financial side of the enterprise, as they provide accurate information to estimators during the planning phase. This data will ensure the project’s profitability and keep expenses within budget.
They need to have relationships with many suppliers, bringing in different quotes to get the best material at the lowest available price. Buyers are also responsible for managing delivery times, ensuring everything is on-site on the agreed day.
The purchasing manager usually works in an office, making only occasional visits to construction sites and supplier stores. There is no formal path to becoming a procurement manager, but most people study a relevant course at university, such as business administration or civil engineering. It is also worth seeking an internship in this path, such as in supply chain management or logistics.
2. Estimator
This person is responsible for accurately determining prices during a construction job. They must talk to the client to understand their plans and needs, then estimate all relevant expenses.
These include worker salaries, materials, products, equipment, and transportation, among other costs. The estimator will help create proposals and contracts for the project while providing detailed price lists for managers.
As with buyers, there is no formal path to becoming an estimator. Instead, you need to follow a path such as a college degree in civil engineering or training as a construction technician.
3. Building systems engineer
This profession is responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining the systems that make buildings safe, efficient, and comfortable. This includes ensuring everything works perfectly for the residents who will use the lighting, elevators, ventilation systems, alarms, electrical power, and plumbing.
In multinational companies, this position is known as a facilities engineer. When working for the government, these engineers ensure the operation of public buildings such as schools or hospitals.
In any case, the building systems engineer needs to make decisions regarding the best use of these safety resources throughout their life cycles.
For this area, education generally includes courses in civil engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering (for HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and gas systems). Postgraduate degrees and specializations such as an MBA in Facilities Management or building installations are also valued in the market.
4. Structural engineer
This professional helps design and construct large-scale buildings or structures, ensuring their foundation withstands the pressures and loads they will be subjected to. Additionally, the structural engineer will ensure the construction meets relevant regulations.
This person will plan and model the structure while simulating the impact of factors such as winds, floods, and earthquakes—in regions where these climatic events occur. The professional will advise on materials and construction design while evaluating whether the structural part complies with regulations.
In most cases, the person occupying the position of structural engineer will have a degree in civil engineering.
5. Surveyor or property appraiser
Here we have a wide range of functions divided into two major groups: building assessment engineers and land surveyors. The first group analyzes buildings and makes assessments related to their construction, maintenance, and repair.
Land surveyors evaluate and measure the land to collect information used in construction and civil engineering projects. They can draw precise plans to map the land using specialized equipment such as total stations, drones, and geodetic GPS.
Those wishing to work as a building assessment engineer need to have a degree in civil engineering or architecture. Those who want to be land surveyors will pursue a technical course in surveying or a degree in cartographic engineering.
6. Cost engineer or estimator
Next, we have a category of professionals responsible for estimating the costs involved in the construction phase of projects. They are also in charge of helping control costs throughout the duration of the work.
The cost engineer’s job involves calculating the number of workers needed to complete the project, as well as how much they will cost. Additionally, they must work with the estimator to ensure that the price of materials does not exceed the total project budget.
The cost engineer also needs to consider legal, health, and safety issues when making their calculations. To work in this subfield, it is recommended to earn a degree in civil engineering and then pursue a postgraduate degree in cost engineering or project management.
7. Architect
Finally, we have the position of architect. This is the person responsible for designing houses and buildings, whether in the construction of new buildings or in restoration projects.
An architect’s role is to develop extremely detailed, technical, and specific plans for a construction project. This planning must comply with the standards, laws, regulations, and best practices of the location where the work is being carried out.
This profession brings a client’s ideas to life, securing the construction permit from the relevant government authorities. They must also oversee the execution of the work to ensure it is proceeding according to their plans.
The most common course for those who want to become an architect is a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning.
Construction Activities
The construction industry encompasses a series of fundamental activities for the execution of any architectural or engineering project. These include the planning and design of the project, where ideally architects and engineers will work together to define the main objectives of the work.
There is also the phase of land preparation, foundation creation, and the construction of the structure of the house, building, or other type of edifice. To finish, masonry and coatings are applied, which bring a refined finish and improve the aesthetics of the environments. There are also electrical and plumbing installations, as well as painting, flooring, and metal installations.
Next, we will talk about the main activities in construction.
Budgeting
Budgeting in construction involves estimating all project costs from materials, labor, and general expenses to ensure financial control.
An effective budget will take advantage of available historical information and detailed planning to avoid exceeding spending limits and maintain project viability.
Budget Difference Inquiry (BDI)
The Budget Difference Inquiry (BDI) records indirect costs, fees, taxes, and profit margins that are added directly to construction expenses.
The BDI will transparently account for these indirect costs, helping stakeholders define competitive proposals and protect project profitability.
Tax planning
This activity applies strategic practices to optimize tax liabilities and maintain compliance with financial regulations throughout the project lifecycle.
It takes advantage of incentives such as accelerated depreciation and entity-level tax elections to improve cash flow and reduce financial risk.
Construction Project
The construction project represents the organized sequence of tasks necessary to design, finance, execute, and complete the erection or alteration of a building.
Stakeholders collaborate through feasibility studies, technical designs, approvals, and on-site executions to deliver a unique structure that will need to be dismantled after project completion.
Technical Responsibility
Technical responsibility assigns qualified professionals the duty to ensure that projects and the execution of works meet industry standards, safety codes, and contractual obligations.
Engineers or architects are legally responsible for the construction, which helps maintain quality control and mitigate risks associated with errors and omissions.
Waste Management
Waste management in construction seeks to eliminate, reduce, reuse, and recycle materials generated during the construction, renovation, or demolition of buildings. Effective waste management practices minimize environmental impact and contribute to the sustainable use of resources on and off the construction site.
Workplace Safety in Construction
Not only is it necessary to deal with the complexities of construction on a job site, but it is also essential to be aware of the responsibility of operating heavy machinery on-site. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1 in 5 workplace deaths in 2022 occurred in the construction industry.
Therefore, it is critical that everyone works together to ensure the safety of workers involved in civil engineering projects. This involves providing comprehensive fall protection training and requiring the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
As teams usually hold brief conversations at the beginning of each shift to review specific hazards of that construction site and reinforce the proper use of safety equipment. These daily briefings, also known as safety meetings or toolbox talks, help stimulate communication and keep safety protocols in mind for all workers.
Efficient safety programs should start with a systematic identification of all hazards using methods such as safety audits, job safety analyses, and worker feedback. After that, project teams conduct risk assessments to prioritize controls and prevent incidents before they occur.
It is important to have clear safety signage that complies with ANSI/ISO standards. Through this, it is possible to mark hazards, mandatory actions, and emergency exits in the workplace.
Your team should have access to comprehensive emergency action plans that outline response procedures, roles, and equipment locations to ensure quick and organized reactions in case of crises.
Workers have the role of reporting accidents and near misses through structured incident reports. These reports will document causes and corrective actions to prevent recurrences.
The involved organizations should then analyze incident data to improve safety measures and maintain a culture of continuous improvement in this aspect of construction.
Read more: What is the MACC Curve? Understand and Revolutionize Your ESG Strategies
Role of sustainability in construction
The building and construction sector is responsible for approximately 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, driven by both operational use and material production, according to the UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme.
Companies worldwide now face increasing pressure to reduce embodied carbon and achieve net-zero emissions by the mid-21st century. According to Deloitte, more than 90% of engineering and construction companies report receiving client requests to reduce embodied carbon in new projects and renovations.
However, the higher initial capital required for low-carbon technologies remains a significant barrier to widespread adoption. Sustainable materials, such as mass timber, recycled steel, and low-carbon concrete, help reduce emissions throughout the lifecycle in construction supply chains.
Meanwhile, innovative processes now convert agricultural and industrial by-products into durable construction components, advancing circular economy principles.
Modular assembly and digital tools as alternatives
The Modular Building Institute points out that off-site construction methods, such as prefabrication and modular assembly, can reduce material waste by up to 90% through precise manufacturing. These approaches also accelerate schedules and reduce on-site energy use, minimizing rework and weather exposure.
Digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling and integrated data platforms, allow teams to predict carbon impacts. They also help optimize designs and enforce sustainable procurement throughout project lifecycles.
Political incentives, including tax credits and green procurement guidelines, further motivate companies to incorporate sustainability into their business models.
Scaling sustainable construction requires multi-stakeholder roadmaps that align developers, suppliers, regulators, and communities around shared net-zero emissions goals. Global partnerships and targeted incentives will be crucial to mobilize capital and popularize low-carbon solutions across the industry.
Conclusão
The construction industry is one of the pillars of urban and economic development, bringing together various professionals and essential activities to deliver safe and functional projects. With significant data on revenue, employment, and sustainability, the global impact of this sector is clear.
Rigorous cost, schedule, and quality management, combined with a commitment to safety and standards like ISO 45001, ensures more efficient and protected works. Additionally, sustainability practices and digital innovations point to a more responsible future.
Finally, investing in construction requires understanding its stages, actors, and challenges, taking advantage of opportunities in key markets like Asia-Pacific and superpowers. Thus, companies and professionals can align technical expertise and green practices for increasingly profitable and sustainable projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
What is construction?
Construction is the sector that brings engineering and architectural projects to life in buildings and infrastructure works, executing each stage—from soil analysis to finishing—with technical rigor and adherence to safety standards. This fundamental segment of the economy transforms ideas into solid and functional structures.
What is done in construction?
Construction involves planning, designing, and executing projects, including foundations, structures, electrical and plumbing installations, masonry, coatings, and finishes. It also encompasses renovations, maintenance, and restoration of buildings and infrastructure.
What is considered construction?
Construction activities include building houses and buildings, infrastructure works such as roads, bridges, dams, and tunnels, factories, and industrial installations. They also include repairs, expansions, and demolitions of such structures.
What is the meaning of construction?
“Construction” refers to the branch of engineering that deals with planning, designing, building, renovating, and maintaining civil works, ensuring safety and quality standards. It is the art and science of transforming projects into buildings and infrastructure systems.
