The Players' Roles

• Surveyor: Measures the exact size of the property and locates the house relative to the property's boundaries. Can also do a topographical survey, which shows the contours of the land and locates features like tress and ledge.
  
  
• Excavator: Digs holes for foundations, and sometimes installs septic systems.
  
  
• Foundation installer: Erects formwork and pours concrete for foundations.
  
  
• Steel erector: Fabricates and install steel framing (occasionally used on residential projects, more common on commercial work).
  
  
• Slab finisher: Pours and finishes (smoothes) concrete slabs.
  
  
• Stone mason: Erects concrete block foundations, installs brick and stone facing on walls, builds stone walls, fireplaces, and patios.
  
  
• Framer: Builds the wooden frame of a house or addition.
  
  
• Electrician: Runs wiring, installs fixtures and appliances, connects electrical service.
  
  
• Low voltage wire installer: Runs wires for computers, media centers, alarm systems, and low voltage lighting.
  
  
• Plumber: Runs pipe and installs fixtures for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, also installs and pipes hot water heaters, boilers, and radiators.
  
  
• HVAC: Installs and runs ducts for hot-air heating (furnaces) and central AC.
  
  
• Insulator: Installs roll, batt, rigid, and blown-in insulation.
  
  
• Plasterer: Installs blueboard (sometimes done by a separate board installer) and a thin layer of plaster on top (skim-coat).
  
  
• Finish carpenter: Handles all carpentry except framing, including: moldings, hanging doors, building stairs, installing built-ins and cabinets.
  
  
• Tile setter: Installs floor and wall tile.
  
  
• Wood flooring installer: Installs, sands, stains, and finishes (urethanes) wood floors.
  
  
• Carpet installer: Measures and installs carpeting and foam.
  
  
• Glazier: Measures and installs large pieces of glass and mirrors, sometimes fabricates metal framework to support glass.
  
  
• Cabinetmaker: Builds (and sometimes designs and/or installs) cabinetry.
  
  
• Landscaper: Installs plants, builds retaining walls and patios (often subcontracted to mason), installs non-asphalt driveways.
  
  
• Paver: Installs asphalt driveways.
  
  
• Painter: Prepares and paints interior and exterior surfaces.
  
  
• Decorative painter: Does faux finishing, glazing, and murals.
  
  
• Media systems: Design and install home theaters, stereo systems, etc.