Hello, everyone.
This is Enta.
The other day, I met up with a bunch of people I hadn't seen in a while at a gathering.
So, someone said this to me lol
"Enta-kun, you're in the construction business, right? Could you do some renovations on our house for a good price?"
...right?
No, no, no,I'm a civil engineer, after all!!
Home renovations, and so on,I have absolutely no idea lol
There are just so many stories like this, you know?
I think I'll try writing about this today.
Civil Engineering and Architecture
When it comes to the construction industry...The top-level categoryRight?
In terms of the intermediate classification,Civil Engineering and Architecture。
Under that, in civil engineering, there are subcategories such as slope contractors, paving contractors, and pile contractors.
In the construction industry, that would include carpenters, window installers, and painters, for example.
So, now we get to the main point, but,
Most people tend to lump civil engineering and architecture into the same category!
Do you know about this?
Man, this is really a pain, lol.
Public Perception
From the general public's perspective, "construction industry = people who build houses = people who build roads = people who can do it all."
That's what people think!!!
It's totally different, though!
Civil engineering and architectural work are two completely different things.
Let me be clear:Civil engineers and architects do completely different jobs.That's it!
Even within the construction industry,What we're doing is just too different.That's right.
What Civil Engineers Deal With
- Road
- Tunnel
- 橋
- Dam
- Rivers
- Slope (←That's me lol)
- Port
- Water and Sewer Services
In short, infrastructure in generalThat's right.
There are many public works projects.
The main clients are the national government, prefectures, and municipalities.
To put it very simply, civil engineers work on the ground and what's underneath it, lol.
Items Handled by Construction Companies
- Housing
- Apartment Building
- Building
- Store
- Factory
In short, all types of buildingsThat's it.
There are also many private construction projects.
Our clients are mainly individuals and companies.
This is totally different, isn't it!?
But for the average person,All TogetherThat's what I think, lol
The materials and tools used are different.
Civil Engineering and Architecture,The materials and tools used are completely different.That's right!
Materials for Civil Engineers
- Concrete (used in large quantities)
- Reinforcing bars (the thick ones)
- Steel
- Asphalt
- Sediment
- Stone
- Mortar
- Grout
As slope stabilization specialists, our services include shotcrete, ground anchors, rock bolts, and slope framing.
I wouldn't use materials like that to build a house!
But I can handle reinforcing the stone walls at home, lol.
Building Supplies(A Civil Engineer's Imagination)
- Concrete (used in large quantities)
- Lumber
- Drywall
- Window Frame
- Insulation
- Wallpaper
- Hardwood Flooring
- Fitted Kitchen
- Modular Bathroom
We don't use wood for slope construction, lol (these days, staking out is done digitally).
The machines used are also different
Civil engineering is,
- Backhoe (Excavator)
- Bulldozer
- Dump
- Rock Drill
- Spray Machine
In construction, (I don't really picture them using very large machinery)
- Crane
- Scaffolding
- Circular Saw
- Impact Driver
- I can't even imagine...
It's totally different, isn't it!?
Even if someone told me, “Cut down the pillar in my house,”
I can't do it lol
A chainsaw or a hand saw, I wonder? lol
Common Misconceptions
So, what kinds of misunderstandings actually exist?
Here are a few examples lol
Misconception #1
"If you're in construction, you can renovate a house, right?"
→ I can't do it!
I'm a slope engineer.
You can spray-paint the walls of your house, but other than that...I have absolutely no idea!
Replacing the wallpaper? I don't know anything about that.
Replacing the kitchen set? No way.
We're in different fields!
Misunderstanding #2
"If you work in civil engineering, you must know a lot about things like house foundations, right?"
→ I don't know much about it!
Fundamentals of Civil Engineering and Fundamentals of Architecture,It's completely different.。
Civil engineering involves work such as ground improvement and pile driving, but when it comes to the foundations of residential buildings (such as slab foundations or strip foundations),That's not my area of expertise!
I know the basics, but if you were to ask me whether I’d actually do the work,No way, lol.
Misconception #3
"If you have a construction license, you can do anything, right?"
→ I can't do it!
A construction business license is,29 industriesIt does exist.
- General Civil Engineering Work
- General Construction Work
- Carpentry Work
- Plastering Work
- Scaffolding and Earthwork
- Stonework
- Roofing Work
- Electrical Work
- Piping Work
- Tile and Brick Work
- Steel Structure Construction
- Reinforcement Work
- Paving Work
- Dredging Work
- Sheet Metal Work
- Glass Installation
- Painting Work
- Waterproofing Work
- Interior Finishing Work
- Mechanical and Equipment Installation Work
- Thermal Insulation Work
- Telecommunications Construction
- Landscaping Work
- Well Drilling
- Door and Window Installation
- Water Supply Facility Construction
- Fire Protection System Construction
- Cleaning Facility Construction
- Demolition Work
Our company holds licenses for “General Civil Engineering, Scaffolding, Earthwork, Masonry, Steel Structures, Paving, Dredging, Painting, Well Drilling, and Water Supply,” but,
Other industries areI can't do it!
Without permission,IllegalThat's why!
Why is there a misunderstanding?
So why do ordinary people get it wrong?
The reason is simple.
Because I don't have many opportunities to work in the construction industry。
For the average person, getting involved in the construction industry is...
- When Building a House
- When Renovating
- When Creating a Garden
That's about it, right?
So, the factors involved at that time are:Construction CompanyThat's just how it is.
Dealing with civil engineers is...Almost noneThat's what I think, you know~
So,
"Construction Industry = Builder = Someone Who Builds Houses"
That's just how people end up perceiving it, isn't it?
I guess you could say it can't be helpedBut, you know... lol
There are quite a few people who think that road construction workers are also construction workers, aren't there?
Architects from a Civil Engineer's Perspective
Well then, on the other hand,
How do civil engineers view architects?
We'll talk about that, too lol
To be honest,A completely different worldThat's right lol
Architects are sensitive
When it comes to construction companies,That's super detailed!That's the general idea, lol.
Adjust in millimeters.
Do you care a lot about your appearance?
The finish has to be perfect. (The same goes for civil engineering.)
Civil engineering is all about centimeters, after all! lol
A difference of ±5 cm is pretty common, lol.
Slopes are supposed to be much rougher, right?
"It's something like this."
It's a world where that's allowed, lol (since it's construction that's adapted to the situation).
Construction companies have low profit margins.
To be totally honest, lol
When it comes to construction companies,The perception that profit margins are lowThat's it.
Civil engineering primarily involves public works projects, and the gross profit margin is20%–30%To some extent. (At best, though.)
However, since the construction industry consists largely of private-sector projects, the profit margin15%–20%That's what it seems like.
Considering how fast the work is moving along, it still feels like there's not quite enough, lol.
Both are important
Civil Engineering and Architecture,
There's no such thing as which one is on top and which one is on the bottom.That's right.
BothExtremely important。
Without civil engineering,
There are no roads.
There is no bridge.
There is no tunnel.
There is no water or sewer service.
Mountains slide or collapse.
You can't live like that, can you!?
Without architecture,
I don't have a home.
There are no buildings.
There are no stores.
You can't live like this either, can you!?
We need both!
So,Mutual RespectThat's right.
Things I Want the General Public to Know
Finally, I’d like to share something I want the general public to know.
The construction industry is a collection of specialized fields
The construction industry is,
The fields of specialization are divided into incredibly detailed categories.That's right.
So,
"If you're in construction, you can do anything, right?"
Please don't think that, lol
I can't do things outside my area of expertise!
Civil Engineering and Architecture Are Two Different Things
As I've said many times,Civil engineering and architecture are completely different fields.That's it.
Even within the construction industry, the work we do is different.
The ingredients are different.
The required qualifications are different.
So, don't lump us together, lol
There are professionals in each field
If you're renovating your home, please hire a contractor.
If you need to repair or reinforce a retaining wall at your home, please hire a civil engineering contractor. (Like our company, lol.)
There are professionals in each field!
If you ask someone outside your field of expertise, they won't be able to do a good job, so make sure to...Please hire a professional!
See you later.
What Is the Construction Industry? (For Job Seekers) | Industry Overview
