What is a general contractor? A general contractor is a person that acts as an intermediary between a client and a construction company or individual. They are also responsible for managing the financial aspect of the construction project from beginning to end, with the exception of invoicing the client. A general contractor, principal contractor or construction manager is in charge of the entire day-to- day oversight of a construction site, coordination of trades and vendors, and the dissemination of details to all involved parties during the course of the project. For instance, a general contractor supervises the progress of various trades such as carpenters, masons, bricklayers, plumbers, roofers, etc.
The primary duty of the general contractor is to coordinate the works of the individual trades involved in the construction project by coordinating the schedules of these trades and supervising their workers on the work site. This means that the construction manager has to have an intimate knowledge of each trades’ individual working practices, as well as the materials, tools and machinery that are necessary to perform their job. In addition to scheduling, the general contractor is also responsible for doing any laborious detail work such as putting up walls, installing insulation, repairing damage, etc.
There are a few key responsibilities that a general contractor should fulfill. They must secure all required permits for construction projects of any magnitude. They should have an established and cooperative relationship with the subcontractors, vendors, and all other associated organizations and individuals. They must keep accurate records and complete all necessary paperwork for every construction project that they manage. They must never enter into a binding contract with any subcontractor, vendor, or other related individual.
A general contractor will only hire workers that can qualify for day-to-day work experience. They should never hire inexperienced individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others while performing job duties. They must have an extensive list of past clients that provide a verifiable list of satisfied customers. In addition, a general contractor should have an excellent pay record and provide a solid performance history that demonstrates the ability to meet deadlines and provide quality work. Their track record and work ethic are what sets them apart from another construction company.
Once a general contractor is hired to manage a particular project, it is the general contractor’s responsibility to effectively manage the project throughout its completion. Each step of the construction project must be performed in a timely manner and all necessary contracts must be properly completed and signed. Any deviation from contractual requirements must be brought to the attention of the general contractor manager and legal action must be taken if such actions are discovered. It is important to know that the general contractor will not be held personally liable for any legal errors or omissions during the project. Every single detail must be properly recorded in order to make sure that everything is done on time and within the correct manner.
One of the best ways to keep a general contractor in good standing with your local construction authorities is to only allow them to perform work within your city or county. You can check with your contractors’ license board to ensure that they have obtained the proper licensing and are capable of performing jobs in your area. Additionally, a general contractor that is licensed to perform construction work within your community may also be required to invest into quality control programs and quality control software to further ensure that the work being performed is of the highest standard possible. All workers engaged in a renovation or building project should be educated on the correct safety procedures and hazards that may be present and they should receive ample training on the use and removal of harmful substances. The bottom line is that every general contractor should invest into his or her business and make it as accessible and user-friendly as possible.