A formwork contractor constructs the necessary forms for concrete pours, and formwork contractors may also provide related services such as excavation, structural steel installation, and other construction components. People in this field can work for specific companies and be dispatched to job sites as needed, or they can work as freelancers. They advertise their services and accept jobs from construction companies, subcontractors, and direct customers.
When formwork contractors arrive on a job site, they assess the area in order to gather information for the forms. They also examine the construction plans, which may have been developed with the help of engineers, to ensure that they are sound and appropriate. Working as a formwork contractor necessitates knowledge of concrete and structural elements such as rebar, as well as knowledge of the building code and industry standards and practices. Forms must be able to safely hold the concrete in place while it hardens, as well as provide enough shape and thickness to meet code requirements.
This work entails more than just calculating numbers and consulting blueprints. A formwork contractor can also work on projects requiring some artistic skill, such as curved and unusually shaped concrete installations. In these cases, a strategy for achieving the desired shape, which may include complex custom forms, can be included as part of the work. Because such tasks necessitate advanced skills, people with more experience are more likely to take them on.
Excavating, laying gravel and other drainage, and carefully measuring before beginning work are all examples of site preparation for a formwork contractor. To hold the forms, which can be made of a variety of materials, posts can be installed. Some businesses use reusable forms that can be combined in a variety of ways for different projects. These are more convenient to use, though challenging environments may necessitate some customization.
Once everything is in place, the formwork contractor inspects it and double-checks with other employees to ensure that it meets the requirements. Before the contractor removes the forms and the team moves on to the next phase of the project, the concrete can be poured and allowed to cure. Formwork contracting requires meticulous planning because teams want to ensure that concrete installation does not cause a delay on the job site while also working carefully to minimize the risk of errors. It can be difficult and costly to redo work once concrete has been poured and set.