What Is A General Contractor?
A general contractor, principal contractor or overall construction manager is in charge of the day-to-day oversight of a construction project, coordination of trades and vendors, and the dissemination of details of projects to all participants involved in the project. They orchestrate the progress of workers, materials and machinery as they are brought into the project site to perform their respective duties and/or fulfill their obligations. Contractors are responsible for determining the scope and schedule of work to be accomplished and for managing any subcontractor or other employees that may be brought onto the job. In addition, the general contractor is typically involved in the negotiation of the final contract as it relates to the scope of work, material purchase agreements and any changes that must be made in any subcontractor agreements. However, the primary focus and responsibility of a general contractor is the completion of the project, which usually involves the involvement and approval of all project staff, providing a stable resource of workers and materials on hand to complete the tasks at hand.
Many times general contractors are directly employed by the architectural firm that created the residential or non-residential structure, where they will oversee each of the specific processes involved in completing the work involved. This includes scheduling, supervising the installation of materials and ensuring they are in good working order, providing assistance to the trades, conducting periodic inspections to ensure everything is satisfactory, and liaising with the architect when a special job needs to be done. However, some firms may hire general contractors to oversee only part of their construction process, for example, when preparing to submit a bid on a new building project. In this instance the general contractor would manage the subcontracted jobs as assigned and would divide the tasks among the various vendors, ensuring each job was completed in full accordance with applicable local and national construction guidelines.
When considering hiring a general contractor it is important to take into account their experience and qualifications. The most common qualifications required of general contractors are an appropriate educational qualification, relevant industry experience, relevant skills and abilities, as well as a relevant list of references. The educational qualifications required of the majority of contractors usually covers relevant courses such as construction law, construction analysis and design principles, contracting and managing projects. These skills will enhance your business’ ability to successfully complete day-to-day activities whilst maintaining a standard of quality and reliability. Experience can also help to identify and rectify problems early on, which minimises the likelihood of further costs being incurred. Most general contractor jobs involve a period of involvement of up to ten years on the project, so you will need to show the potential employer that you have the experience to successfully oversee the completion of the building project.
There are many things contractors can do for your business, ranging from the creation of the designs required for new construction or renovation project, to the implementation of design features at the outset of the project, right through to the completion of the project. Contractors can also provide a range of different benefits, ranging from providing commercial finance, building maintenance and safety facilities, as well as providing aesthetic enhancements such as lighting and landscaping. In order to hire the right contractor for your needs, you will need to identify what they will be doing for you. As well as hiring them for general contractor jobs, some businesses may also require specialist contractors to carry out specific tasks. For example, consultants may be needed to carry out renovation project management or bespoke installations.
A plumbing professional is typically hired for sewerage, septic and drainage maintenance. General contractors are able to help with all aspects of construction and renovation including laying piping, installing heating systems, renovating kitchens and baths, creating decking, installing ventilation and plumbing systems, preparing areas for builders, changing buildings for sale or for another reason, and more. Some contractors work alone, but there are a large number of them that work in teams, often working alongside other specialists in the same field of expertise. When contractors are hired, they are generally assigned one project in a region, concentrating on achieving the most efficient result with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
It’s important for homeowners to become aware of the plumbing industry and what types of services are on offer through a reputable company. Contractors who specialise in a particular field such as plumbing, HVAC, heating and plumbing etc. are likely to offer a more personalized approach to project management and to ensure that they do everything possible to ensure that a client’s requirements are met, from beginning to end. Homeowners should check the references provided by a contractor well to make sure that they have the necessary experience and skills to manage any project that may arise.