what is a site agent?
As a site agent, you work alongside contractors and construction managers to ensure the building or construction contract is carried out within the stipulated time. Your role involves overseeing onsite activities in residential, industrial and commercial projects. A site agent ensures construction works are organised, and workers have the required resources. You also monitor and direct the project execution to completion.
Since you monitor onsite activities, you ensure contractors complete their duties within the scheduled time and budget. You need commercial awareness to come up with cost-effective solutions for construction projects. From site preparation to foundation work and actual construction, your job is to find ways to optimise costs and minimise wastage of resources.
As a site agent, you work for the client or building owner. Your job is to assist your client with selecting contractors and suppliers for construction materials. You also serve as the liaison between contractors and clients. That involves reporting problems onsite to clients and drawing up budgets and resource needs for client approval.
Sometimes, your job involves preparing contractor schedules for a series of projects. Since you prepare the forecasts, you need to advise the client on the duration and financial resources that a construction project requires.
Would working as a site agent suit your commercial awareness and critical thinking skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a site agent role.
site agent jobsaverage site agent salary
The average salary of a site agent according to ONS is £47,806 per year. Site agents start with a salary of £42,003 annually, which increases to over £68,283 per year with experience. The basic salary often includes various allowances and benefits to facilitate your role. For instance, you may get medical and life insurance due to the nature of construction work. You also enjoy transport allowances in some companies. Other opportunities to increase your income include overtime pay and bonuses.
ways to boost your salary as a site agent
As a site agent, your compensation package depends on the construction project you work on and the company size. Working in residential buildings attracts lower salaries than commercial and industrial projects. You can also specialise in managing infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. Working for small construction companies often attracts lower salaries due to limited resources and small-scale projects. Large organisations pay more due to the large-scale projects you handle and less limited resources. The location can also influence your pay due to fluctuations in demand and living costs in different regions. Small towns have a low demand for site agents and are unlikely to pay high salaries, while big cities with a high cost of living pay more.
types of site agents
The types of site agents depend on the properties and construction projects they specialise in, including:
- commercial/industrial site agents: your job is to supervise the construction of commercial properties like business complexes and offices or industrial buildings for production and manufacturing companies.
- building/residential site agents: as a site agent in a residential building, you supervise the construction of private homes and residential areas. It can be a small-scale or large-scale project involving the construction of multiple houses.
- infrastructure site agents: your job is to supervise the construction of bridges, roads and other infrastructure projects. The government or private construction firms commission the works.
working as a site agent
As a site agent, you ensure construction projects run smoothly within the set timeline and budget. Here are the specific duties and work schedules of site agents.
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site agent job description
While specific tasks depend on the construction project you are working on, typical duties of a site agent include:
- supervising and overseeing project direction: as a site agent, you keep track of a project's progress and ensure the construction work meets the client's specifications and requirements. You also review project timelines and update clients on the progress and deviations from the projections.
- coordinating and supervising construction workers: as a site agent, you may work onsite to supervise construction workers. Your job is to plan workers' schedules and ensure optimal use of resources on the site.
- selecting construction materials: as a site agent, you need to ensure construction workers have the necessary tools and materials for the construction work. You order the right material quantities and tools to facilitate construction work.
- checking and preparing site reports: you need to make safety inspections to ensure that the sites are safe for workers and don't contravene the health and safety standards. You prepare daily and weekly site reports on safety and work progress. You also maintain quality control procedures.
- preparing site drawings and contracts and securing permits: as a site agent, you help your client negotiate contracts and hire the best contractor. You secure permits and licences for the construction project and prepare drawings that workers will use. You also prepare financial forecasts and budgets and ensure the construction work uses cost-effective methods.
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work environment
Site agents work both indoors and outdoors. Before a construction project commences, you evaluate contractors and prepare financial forecasts and project timelines. That means you work from an office interviewing contractors and helping your client acquire financial resources for the project. When construction work commences, you often have to visit the construction site to ensure the work progresses according to the timeline. You will work in all weather conditions outdoors. It is important to dress appropriately for the outdoors and wear protective clothing like hard hats and boots.
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who are your colleagues?
Site agents work in construction, which means your colleagues include site administrator roles, contracts managers, construction project managers and contractors. As a site agent, you are also likely to work alongside project managers and cost estimators, as well as other professionals like architects, quantity surveyors and accountants.
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work schedule
When working on a full-time schedule, you work an average of 43 hours a week. While most of your tasks run from 8 am to 6 pm, sometimes you have to work unsocial hours. For instance, when you meet clients or attend events, you may work evenings. When a project is behind schedule, you have to work weekends to keep up with the projected timeline. Part-time positions are rare, but short-term contracts are available. Being a site agent involves a lot of travelling between the office and construction site or visiting clients. Becoming a site agent is a hands-on role, and you cannot accomplish your duties remotely.
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job outlook
As a site agent, you have multiple career paths to explore. For instance, you can specialise in industrial buildings, infrastructure projects and sustainable projects. Alternatively, you can move to contract management or construction management. Other site agents gain a chartered status and become construction consultants.
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advantages of finding a site agent job through randstad
Finding your site agent job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site agent is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Site agents are skilled professionals responsible for managing construction projects. Some of the educational requirements include:
- university: as a site agent, you need a higher national diploma (HND) or undergraduate degree in construction-related fields. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) must approve the degree programme. Pursuing a foundation or undergraduate degree in site management, civil engineering, construction management, or building studies is the first step into the role.
- apprenticeship: you can pursue an apprenticeship in construction site management or design and construction management and work your way up to become a site agent. The apprenticeship usually takes up to 4 years, and you will combine course work with workplace learning. You need at least 4 GCSEs to qualify for the degree apprenticeship.
- work experience: you cannot work as a site agent without prior experience in the construction industry. You become a site agent after working as a building technician or site supervisor. You also need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on construction sites in the UK.
site agent skills and competencies
As a site agent, you need the following essential skills:
- project management skills: the role of a site agent involves managing projects that need to be completed on time and within budget. Project management skills help you manage resources on construction sites and ensure the objectives are achieved within the set time.
- leadership skills: as a site agent, you are in charge of construction workers, contractors and subcontractors. You need leadership skills to direct work activities and motivate employees effectively to accomplish the project goals. Leadership skills also help you promote interpersonal skills at work.
- commercial awareness: as a site agent, you need budgeting and financial management skills. The client expects you to keep the project profitable by optimising costs. Commercial awareness is vital in preparing forecasts and developing cost-effective solutions for construction projects.
- problem-solving skills: problems crop up during construction, and you need to solve them promptly to ensure they don't affect project timelines. Critical thinking helps you find innovative solutions to construction issues.
- attention to detail: as a site agent, you are responsible for quality control. Hence, you need to be detail-oriented to spot potential problems and resolve them before they escalate.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a site agent
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what is the difference between a site agent and a site manager?
A site agent and site manager perform similar responsibilities in supervising construction projects. Some organisations prefer using the site agent title for site managers. Want to learn more about working as a site agent? Then check out this article.
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how much do site agents earn in the UK?
A site agent earns an average salary of £47,806 per year. However, the salary fluctuates depending on the qualifications and work experience. Want to learn more about working as a site agent? Then check out this article.
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what is an agent in construction?
A site agent is responsible for supervising construction work on behalf of the client. They ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time and budget. Want to learn more about working as a site agent? Then check out this article.
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what are the responsibilities of a site manager?
A site manager prepares budgets, supervises work activities and prepares contracts on behalf of the client. They also monitor the purchase and use of resources. Want to learn more about working as a site agent? Then check out this article.
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what is the role of a site agent?
As a site agent, you oversee the entire construction process, from cost estimation to purchase of materials and construction work. You also prepare work schedules for contractors. Want to learn more about working as a site agent? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for a site agent vacancy?
Applying for a site agent job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our site agent job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
