What exactly does a general contractor do?
General contractors are construction professionals with extensive experience across the entire spectrum of construction. Let’s say you want to remodel your kitchen. You can call and find all the contractors you will need, such as a flooring specialist, cabinet maker, plumber, and countertop fabricator, or you can call a general contractor. He or she will meet with you and listen to your vision. They already have subcontractors they’ve worked with for years to complete work they won’t do themselves. They can arrange the meetings between you and the subcontractors, as well as handle all the coordination and payment, so you end up with a single invoice at the end of the project.
General contractors can take on quick, simple projects like new railings, decks or fencing, or they can handle large-scale commercial construction and new residential construction. For example, a car loses control at a T-intersection, jumps over the sidewalk, and crashes into an apartment building, destroying windows, stairs, walls, drywall, siding, and floors. For tenants and landlords, a general contractor is their best option, due to the diverse nature of their needs, and presumably they would like to keep the amount of time the apartment is uninhabitable to a minimum. As a construction expert, he or she can go in, shore up any structural supports that have been damaged, demolish and remove damaged material, and repair/reconstruct all elements involved. He could not only do all the work himself, but also handle all the permitting and insurance paperwork involved, leaving the owner and tenant with a new apartment. This is a prime example of the diverse skill set these professionals possess.
General contractors are the common thread throughout the project giving the client peace of mind that they will keep the project on schedule and on budget, and giving subcontractors peace of mind that they will have reliable scheduling and payment.
They not only manage the project from start to finish, but also handle all inspections and permits, and make sure that all aspects of the project comply with the specific area code. Depending on the location, a simple kitchen remodel may require up to 25 separate permits!
General contractors handle the logistics of the entire project and ensure your satisfaction.
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