The construction industry is full of moving parts. There are investors, brokers, realtors, laborers, developers, builders, various pieces of technology, different types of builds, different styles of builds and so much more. On the job-site, organization is key to job completion, with communication coming in a close second. Job site organization has several moving pieces, but the one person in control of the site is the General Contractor.
A General Contractor’s main responsibility is day-to-day oversight of the project. Whether it’s a build or remodel, the GC is the one in charge. He or she ensures that each person involved in the build gets the proper information to do their part of the job, as well as making sure that all stakeholders are informed on progress. Communication is a big factor to look for when hiring a general contractor because it is a huge part of the job.
Communication is not the only key to a good general contractor, though. According to BuildRiteConstruction.com, general contractors also offer the following services:
- Pre-bid site surveys
- Estimating
- Project management
- Following building guidelines and regulations
- Providing materials and equipment
- Hiring specialized subcontractors for the build
General contractors may also help keep costs down in their efforts to manage the day-to-day operations. They do this by making sure the job stays on track with minimal to no delays, that materials are accurately ordered and delivered on schedule, that all projects related to the build or remodel are quality work the first time.
If you’re new to the construction industry, you may question why you need someone to do this for you. That’s what you are there for, right? Not exactly. You have a business to run, other operations and details to keep track of. Trying to do it all on your own will result in less productivity, missed deadlines, delays and more. HomeAdvisor.com gives some good tips for when to hire a general contractor. For new builds and commercial projects, it’s readily apparent. But for remodels, knowing when you need assistance can be more difficult. They offer three key tips when it may make sense to hire a GC:
- If the job is going to take more than a week.
- If the job requires several different pros to complete.
- If the job requires a few permits.
If you’re questioning whether or not to hire a general contractor, ask yourself how much of a project you are willing to manage on your own. How well do you think you can do? Do you know the local trades that are good? How much do you really know about the day-to-day operations of your remodel or new build? Is it a smart business practice to continue managing projects or should you bring in a General Contractor? Err on the side of caution and hire some help. Not only will it help keep the project on track, but you will have peace of mind knowing that someone is making sure your project is stable.
A general contractor provides many things on a job site. Understanding when to hire one and when you can handle it on your own is vital to the success of your projects and business.
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