With the arrival of spring and the start of a new construction season, you may be thinking about renovating your home. Perhaps you want to build a deck or expand your home to accommodate growing family members. Whatever your plans, you’ll need to get it done sooner rather than later. That means it’s time to look for a general contractor (also known as a building contractor) — someone who specializes in managing large-scale construction projects, such as renovating or expanding a home. If you’ve never worked with a general contractor before, you might be wondering what distinguishes them from other tradesmen. Let us explain: general contractors are the managers of larger-than-life construction projects that require expertise in various fields. They oversee everything from site planning and design, through permitting, scheduling and budgeting all the way through to completion — after which they take responsibility for making sure everything is working properly for years to come.
What is a general contractor?
A general contractor is a specialized type of construction professional that takes responsibility for managing large-scale construction projects. They oversee everything from beginning to end, taking care of scheduling and budgeting all the way through to completion. General contractors make sure that everything is ready to happen when they say it will happen. Since they oversee everything from the planning stages, they have a good idea of what their project will entail. This allows them to manage their budgets and schedules effectively so that things don’t get out of hand. If you’re thinking about hiring a general contractor for a project, there are some things you should know about these professionals: They usually specialize in a certain field of construction or trade, such as carpentry or plumbing They take care of all aspects of the job logistics including permits, design, scheduling and budgeting Their experience in managing large-scale projects makes them well suited for high-stress jobs like renovation or expansion
Before choosing a general contractor, you should ask yourself:
1. What type of construction project are you looking to work on? 2. How large is the project? 3. What’s your budget? 4. Do you have any special needs or requirements that need to be met, such as a certain level of expertise in green building practices or accessibility for the disabled? 5. What kind of company culture do you want to work with?
How long has the general contractor been in business?
Generally speaking, a general contractor has been in business for more than three years. That’s because it takes time to build up knowledge and experience. A company that is still relatively young might be lacking in experience and could also not have a long history of working on projects like yours. A general contractor should also be bonded and licensed. This ensures that if your project goes wrong, the general contractor will take responsibility for any damage caused to you or your home during construction. A good sign that a general contractor is reputable is the number of positive reviews they have received from previous clients — especially ones with similar needs to yours. A company with a lot of positive reviews should be able to provide you with an honest assessment of their work so you can make sure you’re making the right choice for your home renovation project.
Ask for references and do your research
When searching for a general contractor, be sure to ask for referrals from friends and family members. When you’re trying to find someone, you should also do some research on general contractors in your area, checking out their websites, reading reviews from past customers and even contacting the local Chamber of Commerce (if one exists). You can also look into what licenses they hold or what certifications they have. The best way to prepare for your project is to collect all this information before you start looking for a contractor. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of getting a great deal, no matter the size of your project.