General Contractors

General contractors are responsible for managing all or many aspects of a construction project. They have the expertise necessary to make sure the project is completed according to the owner's wishes. A general contractor can work on residential and commercial projects.  Some of the steps that occur during the construction process may be handled by subcontractors. For example, general contractors usually don't perform roof installations themselves but will subcontract that work out. The general contractor is usually responsible for hiring all subcontractors and managing their work.

Residential general contractors perform a wide range of tasks during a typical construction project, which include the following:

• Answering build related questions for the owners and design-team
• Providing pre-construction services such as costing and applying for building permits
• Helping select and managing the purchasing of construction materials
• Mobilizing construction activity
• Managing, scheduling, and paying subcontractors
• Organizing schedules to ensure deadlines are met
• Maintaining accurate financial records for the project
• Dealing with discrepancies in drawings or unforeseen challenges
• Accounting for all construction tools and equipment
• Inspecting construction work and arranging for government regulated inspections

Delivering a high quality finished product

The costs associated with building or renovating a home depend on many factors, which include everything from the soils you build on, the type of foundation required, the materials you're using, the design of the building, the speed to build, and selection / price of sub contractors hired. To keep costs manageable, try to avoid scope creep after the budget has been set. Set a budget with a contingency.

You should consider hiring a general contractor for many reasons, the primary of which include the following:

• Leave more risk prone and difficult tasks to professionals
  
• Save time and reduce costs
  
• Lower the risk of making costly mistakes
  

Avoid lengthy delays

Before hiring a contractor, you'll need to:

• Verify that they have licenses and insurances required by law
  
• Confirm their experience with they type of construction project you are undertaking
  
• Evaluate their portfolio of past commercial projects and check references
  
• Thoroughly read the contract

Residential general contractors perform a wide range of tasks during a typical construction project, which include the following:

• Providing pre-construction services such as design support, costing, and permitting
• Mobilizing construction activity
• Actively managing the quality of the work
• Managing subcontractors and their work
• Organizing schedules to ensure deadlines are met
• Maintaing accurate financial records for the project
• Dealing with discrepancies in drawings or unforeseen challenges
• Accounting for all construction tools and equipment needed to complete the work
• Inspecting construction work and arranging for government regulated inspections

Delivering a high quality finished product