What Are the Types of Construction?

If you’ve been considering going into construction, now’s the time to do it. Canada’s construction sector is back on its feet after the initial hit of the global pandemic, seeing a 6.1% increase in 2021 and is expected to steadily grow in the next few years.But did you know there’s more than just one kind of construction? It’s important to know what they are so you can make an educated decision on which sector you decide to go into.So, what are the types of construction? Read on to find out!

The Four Major Types of Construction

There are different ways of classifying construction. It can be broken up according to the use or occupancy of a building, fire resistance, or by construction method. It can also be divided according to project types, which is what we will discuss below:

1. Residential Construction

A residential building could be single-family dwellings or multi-family homes predominantly used for housing individuals and families. They could also be any of the following:

• Dormitories;
• Condominiums;
• High-rise housing towers;
• Nursing homes;
• Townhouses; and
• Apartments.

Residential projects also include other types of outbuildings such as garages, barns, and utility sheds used to store supplies and equipment.It could also include the remodelling, renovating, or repairing of housing units. Renovation and repair could be as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint or as complicated as gutting an existing home.Larger residential construction projects are typically planned by engineers and architects. But the execution of these plans is usually done by construction companies that employ various subcontractors who will then tackle specific elements of the construction.

2. Institutional and Commercial Construction

Institutional and commercial building construction includes:

• Office buildings;
• Retail stores;
• Hotels;
• Restaurants;
• Stadiums;
• Schools;
• Shopping malls;
• Sports complexes;
• Skyscrapers;
• Hospitals; and
• Commercial centres.

Just like residential projects, institutional and commercial projects can include new structures created from scratch or the renovation of an existing building. They often involve multiple contractors and subcontractors because they tend to be larger and more complex than residential projects.Private owners of establishments (e.g. restaurants) commission a construction company to do the project and fund it themselves. But infrastructure projects such as medical facilities, stadiums, and schools are sometimes financed by local or national government bodies in conjunction with private entities.

3. Industrial Construction

Industrial construction projects require a high level of specialization and technical skills in planning and design because it involves building large-scale facilities such as:

• Warehouses;
• Factories;
• Oil refineries;
• Nuclear power plants;
• Hydroelectric power plants;
• Heavy manufacturing facilities; and
• Light assembly facilities.

These industrial projects require professional expertise and a highly competent labour force due to the need of extensive pipeworks.

4. Infrastructure Construction Projects

Infrastructure and heavy construction projects—also known as civil construction—encompass the building and updating of these types of projects:

• Airports;
• Railways;
• Roads and highways;
• Bridges;
• Sewer systems;
• Transit systems;
• Drainage systems; and
• Tunnels.

This type of construction is done in the interest of the public and for the growth and development of a region. They are usually carried out by government agencies and significant private corporations.If you’re interested in infrastructure construction, there are several things you need to be aware of. First, you’ll be required to work with multiple government agencies, so be prepared for bureaucracy.Second, because infrastructure projects are larger in scope and more complicated than other types of construction, they are also more challenging to manage.

Possible Career Paths in Construction

There are many people involved in making a structure safe, sustainable, and attractive. Here are some of them:

• Architects who design buildings;
• Surveyors who measure the site’s location, elevation, and contours;
• Electricians who install electrical systems;
• Brick masons who build walls, walkways, fences and other structures using bricks, concrete blocks, and stones;
• Roofers who install roofs;
• Construction workers who clear, dig, and prepare the job site as well as measure and cut building materials, etc.

Learn the Construction Trade at Skilled Trades College

Which type of construction are you most interested in?Take your first steps into the world of residential construction with Skilled Trades College’s Home Renovation Program. At Skilled Trades College, our programs guide students with all relevant knowledge, skills and proper techniques through classroom and practical hands-on training so you can be successful in a variety of general construction-related careers. Contact us today to enroll or learn more about our home renovation program!