What The Heck Does A General Contractor Do?

If you've ever heard anyone talk about a building or renovation project, there's a good chance they've mentioned a general contractor. Even if it seemed like a pretty detailed conversation, though, you might still not be sure what a general contractor does. A GC can help you deal with these four issues:

Centralization and Planning

Typically, people hire general contractors when a job has several facets. If you just need some plumbing done, for example, you probably don't need to hire a GC in addition to the plumber.

General contracting is most useful when you need to centralize efforts and conduct extensive planning. If you're renovating your house, for example, you might need people to do electrical work, put up drywall, paint, install flooring, and so on. A general contracting firm can subcontract the work to the parties who'll handle the individual tasks. The GC can also help you plan, and then they can ensure the subcontractors bring your vision to life.

Playing Traffic Cop

With so many subcontractors moving around, it's important for someone to make sure they don't trip over each other. You don't want to have painters coming in when the drywall isn't even up, for example. Similarly, you won't want to have the drywall contractors at your place before the electricians have wired up everything that goes behind the walls.

It's not easy sorting these problems out. If a contractor falls behind by a couple of days, the GC may need to step in and make sure other contributors don't start piling in before critical work is done. A general contractor will make sure there aren't sequencing problems between the various subcontractors.

Supplies and Equipment

Normally, a general contracting company also makes sure that the necessary supplies are at the site. Also, the GC will work with your architect or designer to make sure the right materials are available. If you need a specific grade of steel beam to support a load, for example, the GC should verify that the beam that arrives is up to specifications. The general contractor will also secure any special equipment the job requires.

Permits, Regulations, and Filings

Most construction and renovation efforts will have to meet certain regulatory requirements. You probably won't even be able to begin work without a permit, and the GC usually is the person who secures it. Also, they will compile any paperwork that you have to file.

For more information, contact a general contractor in your area.