With the very name itself open to ambiguity, it can be difficult to know exactly what a general contractor is responsible for, and when they might be required during a construction project.
To help you better understand whether you need a general contractor for your particular construction project, and what you can expect them to be responsible for, here is a quick guide:
Who can call themselves a general contractor?
During the construction of a building, or renovation of a home, for example, many different parties are involved in the entire process, such as designers, electricians, plumbers and painters etc. While it might be relatively simple to manage a small scale remodel or renovation project involving various parties, larger scale construction projects are virtually impossible to manage without the help of a general manager.
Managing entire worksites, vendors, suppliers, sub-contractors, timelines and quality among others, general contractors oversee the project from beginning to end and form the main point of contact with the owner of the property.
What are the various roles of a general contractor?
Below are the main roles of a qualified, experienced general contractor:
- Planning and management
Daily planning and the managing of the operating schedule, cost baselines and so on, are all within the remit of a general contractor. they will also keep inventories, give updates on progress and schedule inspections.
- Managing and overseeing daily operations
The general contractor should be on site every day while work is being carried out, supervising all work carried out by third parties and sub-contractors. They are responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and overall safety of the worksite, too.
- Providing necessary equipment and materials
While a lot will depend on specific contracts, general contractors are typically responsible for acquiring the building materials and equipment needed to carry out the project in its entirety. They must verify vendors, and quality check everything coming onto site.
Co-ordinating with vendors, subcontractors and consultants
In some projects, there may be many sub-contractors on site, and at various stages of the project designers and vendors may also feature heavily; it is the role of the general contractor to manage and co-ordinate all parties and ensure that work is carried out smoothly and in line with the clients expectations.
Overseeing quality, budget and timeline
Quality must be maintained at all stages of a construction or renovation project, and the general contractor must keep a keen eye on standards to make sure they’re consistent throughout. They should help to minimize cost and prevent the schedule from running over, too.
Managing health and safety
Along with guaranteeing the health and safety of every person working on site with the use of required drills and strict adherence to procedures, the general contractor must also prevent accidents from occurring due to machinery and/or equipment being misused. Additionally, their responsibility is to acquire all necessary permits and licenses from the relevant authorities in advance of the projects commencement, and throughout as needed, while ensuring that building codes are always respected.
Communicating with clients
Clients benefit from having one person with whom to communicate with during a construction project, and the general contractor is that individual. Acting as a go-between among clients and sub-contractors, they will update the client regularly as to the projects progress and advise them in a timely manner of any issues or points of contention that may arise. All conversations and changes between the client and any other parties involved, must also be documented.
All construction projects, no matter their scale, benefit from the wisdom and control of a general contractor, and in the majority of instances, projects simply would never meet completion without their guidance, intervention and supervision. As such, choosing a general contractor for your next project should be a priority, and great care should be taken to select the right person for the role.