Plan It

If you like to…

• Do research
• Solve problems
• Work with numbers
• Find trends and patterns
• Work indoors

…then you may just have a future as an Accountant.

Accountants are responsible for all finances involved in homebuilding — from preparing and examining financial records making sure they comply with law and regulations, to preparing tax returns and generating ways for the company to be more profitable.

Salary range: $35k to $60k to $160k
Education: Bachelor’s degree, CPA (certified public accountant) credential

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Do research
• Be creative
• Solve problems
• Work indoors
• Use technology

…then you may just have a future as an Architect/Draftsman.

Architects first listen to their client’s needs and desires. From there, they prepare drawings and give specifications for the project, as well as the total cost. Architects have more than just design skills — they also must understand engineering and math, and also be good at managing and communicating in order to make their vision come to life.

Salary range: $45k to $75k to $120k
Education: Bachelor’s degree

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Do research
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Work indoors
• Solve problems
• Find trends and patterns
• Perform under pressure

…then you may just have a future as an Attorney.

Attorneys in the homebuilding industry represent builders and developers and assist with all the legal aspects of the building and development process. Specializing in this industry means knowing all of the construction laws and regulations and making sure your clients involved in the industry are in compliance with the laws.

Salary range: $73k to $110k to $400k+
Education: Undergraduate and 3 years of law school

If you like to…

• Be physically active
• Be around people
• Do research
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Be outdoors
• Solve problems
• Find trends and patterns
• Perform under pressure
• Use technology

…then you may just have a future as a Homebuilder or a Remodeler.

Builders and Remodelers do exactly what it sounds like they do. More specifically, they manage the teams that build and remodel homes.

Beginning builders tend to prepare and clean sites, while assisting in the logistics of the process. More experienced builders help create budgets, blueprints and sketches. Being a builder requires a lot of problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills, as they work with people just as much as they work with wood and bricks. Being a Homebuilder is a lot like playing chess…anticipating the outcome of each movement.

Salary range: $50k to $85k to $250+k
Education: High school or GED

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Do research
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Be outdoors
• Solve problems
• Find trends and patterns
• Perform under pressure

…then you may just have a future as a Business Developer.

Business Developers work to create and maintain relationships and seek out new business opportunities. They act as the face of the construction-related company and develop relationships with other organizations with the end goal being that it may lead to more business.

Salary range: $45k to $80k to $300+k
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, sometimes MBA

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Do research
• Be creative
• Be indoors and outdoors
• Solve problems
• Find trends and patterns
• Perform under pressure
• Use technology

…then you may just have a future as a Civil Engineer.

Civil Engineers design, construct, supervise, operate and maintain large construction projects and systems, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. They spend time both in the office and on the project site.

Salary range: $50k to $70k to $111k
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or project management certification is required

If you like to…

• Be physically active
• Solve problems
• Use technology
• Do research
• Spot trends and patterns

…then you may just have a future as an Engineer/Land Planner/Surveyor.

Engineers/Land Planners/Surveyors create plans for developing land after compiling data about the needs of the area. They do thorough resource reports, researching other housing developments, schools, parks, streets, and highways. They often meet with leaders, city officials, developers, and architects to help turn plans into reality.

Salary range: $30k to $60k to $100k+
Education: Undergraduate and master’s degree in planning or a related field; certification may be required

If you like to…

• Do research
• Find trends and patterns
• Work indoors
• Perform under pressure
• Problem solve

…then you may just have a future as an Estimator.

Estimators do exactly what you’d think they do…they estimate! They collect information in order to determine how much time, money, materials and labor it will take to build a house. They create a bid by analyzing the numbers from information like blueprints to using software that calculates total cost.

Salary range: $35k to $60k to $100k
Education: Bachelor’s degree without experience, or high school if coming from construction field

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Do research
• Persuade others
• Work indoors
• Solve problems
• Find trends and patterns

…then you may just have a future as a Mortgage Broker.

Mortgage Brokers act as the middleman between someone needing a loan and the bank that would be lending the money. It’s the brokers job to check out multiple lenders to find the best deal for the borrower. They do this by gathering information about the borrower, and then using that information to determine which type of loan is appropriate for the borrower and the amount of the loan.

Salary range: $30k to $70k to $170k
Education: Bachelor’s degree and state licensing

If you like to…

• Be around people
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Solve problems
• Work indoors
• Perform under pressure
• Help people achieve their dreams

…then you may just have a future as a New Home Sales Consultant.

New Home Sales Consultants are the first resource buyers encounter when planning to build their home. It’s a Sales Consultant’s job to discover the buyer’s needs and desires of the home. They then use this information to help the buyer determine the right home site and floorplan to meet their requirements within their given budget.

Salary range: $75k to $125k to $200k
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

If you like to…

• Do research
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Solve problems
• Perform under pressure

…then you may just have a future as a Project Manager.

Project Managers and construction managers keep projects running. Project managers are essential to completing projects on time and on budget. They plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects from development to completion. Project Managers may work from a main office, but they spend most of their time on site where they monitor projects and make daily decisions about construction activities.

Salary range: $46k to $66k to $110k
Education: Bachelor’s degree and on-the-job training through internships and apprenticeships

If you like to…

• Do research
• Persuade others
• Be creative
• Solve problems
• Perform under pressure

…then you may just have a future as a Real Estate Developer.

Being a Real Estate Developer starts with identifying a housing need. After that, they locate the land where that need can be met while understanding the zoning and financial processes involved in developing that land. Real Estate Developers work closely with engineers, contractors, land owners and government employees in order to find land, buy land and attract homebuilders.

Salary range: $35k to $60k to $160k
Education: Bachelor’s degree, but experience is the most important part