A General Contractor is a manager employed by a client, sometimes by the advice of the engineer or architect, and is responsible for the overall coordination of the project to ensure the project completion is accomplished to the best of the ability according to the time frame, the client, and the budget.
There are various roles and responsibilities for the General Contractor such as interacting with the architect or designers to ensure the project is proceeding as planned and designed. The architect and General will work closely together during the beginning stages of the building process to ensure any potential problems are addressed. The architect will typically look to the General for workable solutions to any issues that may arise.
A good General Contractor will have a working list and database of sub-contractors which will allow the General the ability to gather bids very quickly in order to begin the process of building your home to the best ability and at a timely rate. This can be a time consuming process and so it is very important to have an experienced and respected General to handle this process for you.
A General Contractor, especially a respected and trusted G.C., will have the trust and respect of the specialty contractors and will be able to keep the construction crew on task, on time, and on budget throughout the process of the build. This is maybe one of the most difficult areas when home owners choose to be their own general contractors because they do not understand the process or have the respect of the specialty contractors to demand the work be done on time and according to schedule, plan, and budget. This may seem small but it is an area where a General specializes.
A good General will have the skills needed to handle the carpentry work that are required on the project. This is one of the main reasons that projects managed by skilled and respected General Contractors are often completed on time.
The General will also arrange for the necessary permits and the needed inspections along the process of the building project. This is also where hiring a local and respected General Contractor is necessary because he will know and understand what local permits are needed along with understanding and working with the local zoning laws and restrictions to make sure your home is built legally and properly.
The General Contractor will also meeting the local inspectors to and coordinate the inspections with the building process to ensure everything is handled in accordance with the proper safety guidelines for your family home. Also, your General Contractor will make any and all requested changes or adjustments requested by the city inspector.
As you can see, the General Contractor doesn’t get the credit he deserves and being your own G.C. can be a very difficult and daunting task. Hire a trusted and respected G.C. and experience a worry free building process.
Dart Frog, LLC 