Contractors can be found in all types of businesses, from Fortune 500 companies all the way down to start-ups. These contractors can be individuals and other times they can be companies who pick up work on a contract basis. In the construction industry, there is an important job called a General Contractor.

General Contractor’s are people or companies who manage all the day-to-day activities on a construction site, such as mange vendors, trades, and communicating to everyone working on the project. There’s a lot of responsibilities that a general contractor has, and it’s essential for making sure that construction is finished smoothly and on-time.

What Does A General Contractor Do?

General Contractors are employed by clients to help ensure that the construction project runs smoothly. They are able to work with their client’s from the beginning of the project to the end. This is because on top of coordinating and managing the day-to-day activities of the project, they can also work as a building designer and a foreman.

Designing and Building

Designing and building can be apart of their repertoire, but certain tasks need to have another professional come in to complete them. When this happens, a general contractor will hire subcontractors. It is the general contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the people they hire are professional and can produce quality work.

Permits, Licensing, and Insurance

Hiring subcontractors and making sure they provide quality work is just one faucet of a general contractor’s job. They are also responsible for ensuring that all the work is done up to code. This is done through building permits and following building codes. General contractors will file the building permits under their business’s name, and this holds them accountable for following the building codes. These codes vary by state, but your local General Contractor will know which one’s are needed for your project.

Similar to building codes, licensing requirements also vary by state. Not all states require General Contractor’s to be licensed, but when looking to hire one always check if they are insured. This will protect you from liability if someone gets hurt on site. This is because experienced General Contractors have workers compensation. This can save you money in the long-run, so always check that your General Contractor is licensed and insured before hiring.

When Should I Hire a General Contractor?

Whether you are remodeling your home, building a commercial building, or adding on to an existing property, you should hire a General Contractor. You get to offload the day-to-day duties on the jobsite, don’t have to direct the subcontractors, and you don’t have to worry about permit, licenses, or insurance.

I Need a General Contractor, How Do I Hire One?

So, you’ve decided you need a General Contractor for your upcoming construction project. Now, there’s a lot to consider when hiring, but you should focus on a few key points to help you make the right decision.

• Do your research. Ask building inspectors, talk to your neighbors, and read through websites to find the best General Contractor for you.
• Check their reviews. Once you have narrowed down a few option, read their reviews on Google, Facebook, and any other site they may have a profile on. This will help you see their completed projects and what their client’s thought of their work.
• Ensure they are licensed and insured. Always check and see if they are licensed and insured to protect yourself/your business.
• Get a breakdown of project cost and timeline. Before making any decision, get a breakdown of the cost and timeline for your specific project. If you are in between General Contractors, this can help solidify your decision.

Doing repairs or constructing a new building on your property can be time consuming. Hiring an experienced General Contractor will ensure a timely and on-budget delivery of your project.

Looking to hire a General Contractor for your next project? Sole Source Construction works with a diverse range of clients and are dedicated to quality and efficiency.