General Contractors are responsible for the construction planning, including the procurement of materials and services. This requires significant coordination between subcontractors, vendors, and the general contractor.
They also handle the paperwork, filing for necessary permits, and developing a close working relationship with building inspectors. Plus, thanks to volume discounts, they can often get you access to quality materials at lower prices.
GCs are responsible for all the moving parts of building any construction project. Whether it’s a new build or a renovation, you will have many different professionals working together towards the same end goal, which requires a lot of coordination and leadership skills to pull off successfully. During the construction phase, GCs work closely with the architect to ensure that everything is being done correctly and that the finished product will match up well with the design plans. They will inspect the site and provide daily reports to ensure that all the subcontractors are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Before any payments are disbursed, GCs will review the work to be sure that it is up to code and that no safety violations have occurred.
They are also in charge of managing any changes that come up during construction and adjusting the budget accordingly. They will handle any disputes that arise between professional contractors and work to ensure that all of the necessary parties are on the same page with respect to the next steps in the process. For large projects, GCs can create a schedule and timeline to help keep the entire project on track and prevent cost overruns.
The quality of the materials used in a project is often one of the most important things that a GC will have to determine, as this can save on maintenance costs for the client once the building is operational. This may require them to research different options and manufacturers before settling on any specific materials to use.
Another responsibility that GCs have is to manage the supply chain. This can involve sourcing raw materials and components, overseeing vendor management to ensure that the delivery process remains streamlined, and making sure that vendors are being paid on time. They will also ensure that a robust communication infrastructure is in place during the construction phase to ensure that all of the various team members can communicate effectively with each other and stay on task.
If you’re interested in becoming a general contractor, you can start by earning your license from the local government office responsible for licensing contractors in your state or municipality. Once you have that, it’s a matter of finding work and building your reputation.
They Are Your Safety Officer
A good GC knows how to create a project plan that breaks down large construction projects into smaller, manageable pieces. They also know how to estimate the cost of each task and ensure that it is within budget. They also understand the importance of communicating clearly with everyone involved in the project. This includes sharing plans, providing schedules, resolving issues, and ensuring that the client is satisfied with the outcome of the project.
Large construction projects require a lot of people and materials to complete. To ensure that all parties have the resources they need, a GC oversees supply chain management, which involves the scheduling and coordination of subcontractors and materials. This can be a complex process, especially in union environments where tradesmen can only work in their specific field. It is a GC’s responsibility to make sure that plumbers, electricians, roofers, and drywall installers are all on site when they are needed, saving time and money.
GCs have a strong understanding of safety measures and procedures, and they implement them in the workplace to keep employees safe and reduce potential risks. They can identify unsafe job sites and areas, provide training on new safety protocols, implement JSAs and JHAs, restrict high-risk tasks, monitor employee compliance, and more. In addition, they are well-versed in current regulatory requirements and help their clients stay in compliance with new rules and regulations.
Many states and cities require general contractors to be licensed, and it is a GC’s responsibility to obtain these licenses as necessary. Licensing helps to confirm that a contractor meets the appropriate requirements for insurance, taxes, and safety. Property owners also benefit from working with GCs that are licensed, since they may be able to protect lien waiver rights.
Construction is a risky business and there are many challenges that can arise throughout the course of a project. A reputable GC has the experience, expertise, and ability to troubleshoot and solve problems as they arise, helping your project to run smoothly and finish on time. Want to see how a general contractor software solution like Raken can help you monitor real-time progress, improve daily reporting, and reduce costly disputes?
They Are Your Liability Officer
A general contractor is responsible for a project’s successful completion, so they are the person who manages and mitigates potential risks that can arise from work done by subcontractors. This may include issues such as poor quality, a lack of compliance with project specifications and more. A GC will perform frequent site visits to monitor progress, check on subcontractors, and ensure that all work is done according to the plans and standards set by the project owner.
A GC will be familiar with the locality’s code regulations and permitting process, so they will handle all of these administrative tasks on behalf of the project owner. This can save a lot of time and frustration for the project owner, especially when dealing with bureaucracy or dealing with delays in obtaining permits.
Another role that a GC will play is to determine the quality of materials that are used on a construction site. This can have a big impact on the lifespan of a structure once it is finished and in use. A GC will ensure that all of the subcontractors are using high-quality materials that will last as long as possible.
Licensing
The majority of states require contractors to be licensed in order to work in the construction industry. Licensing ensures that contractors have met state requirements for insurance, taxation and more, as well as proving their experience and credibility to the construction community. It is also a requirement for many public and commercial projects, as it ensures that contractors are properly insured and can cover any claims or accidents that occur during the course of a construction project.
Payment
One of the biggest concerns with construction projects is that there can be confusion about who is owed what and when. A GC is usually the point of contact for all payments on the project, so they will help to ensure that all parties are paid on time and in accordance with the project budget.
GCs are an integral part of any construction project, bringing together all of the different elements that go into building something from the ground up. A top-tier contractor will be able to maintain a smooth running project, provide expert advice and ensure that the project is completed on schedule.
They Are Your Headache Reducer
GCs have a keen eye for project scope and timeline, which can help keep everyone on track to meet their deadlines. They also have a strong network of suppliers and are likely to be able to get materials at a much more budget-friendly cost than their clients would without them.
They also have a solid working relationship with local building inspection offices and can often get a leg up on getting permits or bypassing any red tape that may hinder the construction progress. This is a huge advantage that homeowners simply can’t get by themselves.
Because a general contractor has spent their entire careers managing projects, they have a very intimate understanding of what goes into a construction site, from the time it takes for certain materials to arrive on-site to the timeline that is needed to complete each phase of work. This helps them know exactly how long it should take to complete a job and make sure that back-ups are in place in case anything goes wrong during construction.
In addition, GCs are very good at juggling the many people involved in a construction project. They act as the go-between for their clients and all of the tradespeople and contractors that are brought in to do the actual work. This way, when a problem arises, instead of having to juggle five or ten different people to find the answer or solve it, their clients only have to communicate with one person.
Lastly, a GC will be able to manage all of the tedious administrative duties that come with a construction project, such as filing for permits and keeping records of all of the workers and materials on-site. This is a big time saver for their client and is something that many people simply don’t have the time or expertise to do on their own.
