In 2015, Barbara Kavovit founded Evergreen Construction — a commercial contracting company — and she’s kept busy ever since. Most notably, Kavovit holds the rare distinction as being a female leader of a construction company.

Recent commissions include a 15,000-square-foot build-out for publisher McEvoy Group’s new headquarters at 70 W. 36th St. and an expansion at consulting firm Bionic’s 4 Columbus Circle offices.

As a child, she would hammer nails into boards for her father. She also created a line of tools for women called DIYVA by Barbara K.

We caught up with Kavovit, 48, to discuss the challenges she’s faced, tips for managing a job site and how women can break into the industry.

You say you approach construction projects from a female perspective. What does that mean?

I like to be overly detailed — a perfectionist. That’s the quality you need in this business, and it’s a characteristic that women generally have.

I ask myself, “There are going to be 100 people occupying this space every day [when it’s complete] — is it going to be comfortable? How’s the lighting? Will the air conditioning be too cold?”

I’m not going to stop until I get it right.

What challenges have you faced on the job?

The city building industry — highlighting the commercial sector — is such a man’s world.

I’m not saying that to make anyone feel bad, but the business hasn’t really changed to allow women to enter . . . As soon as I walk on a job site, people usually think I’m the client — not the contractor. I’m far from the expected stereotype of who is running a construction business.

I’ve also gotten into debates with subcontractors because I don’t like how something looks, for example, and that will escalate into name-calling: I’m a pain in the ass, or I’m a b–ch. And have people looked at my butt and made me feel insecure? Absolutely.

A lot of the time, I’m the only woman on these job sites, and people do stop and stare. But I have this don’t-mess-with-me look because I have to. I have to be a leader. If I’m stared at, or whistled at, or heckled — bring it on.

What advice do you have for women trying to make it?

You have to be incredibly tenacious and thick-skinned. Getting into this business as a woman is like chipping at a block with a toothpick.

When I say that I’ve called someone 25 times to get a meeting, I’m not exaggerating. If you want to give up, construction isn’t for you.

You also have to surround yourself with people you trust. Maybe they’ll know more than you, or have been in the business longer — and nine times out of 10, they’ll be men. For them to respect you, and for you to respect them, you need to have a healthy working relationship.

So start small. Make up some business cards and take small commissions. It’ll eventually lead to something bigger. And inspire other women who are interested in construction to believe they can do it, too.

Once you do that, it’ll change the culture.