People planning on building a home or adding a sizeable addition to their current home should seriously consider hiring a general contractor. If the owner decides to build without a general contractor, it means that they must coordinate the work of the trades people who will be required to create the foundation, do the framing, plumbing, electrical work and the roofing. This means that the timing for each trade to do their job is up to the owner to establish and enforce. This can be a problem if the proper sequence of work events are not established or the trades do not follow the plan.
General contractors have better control over the tradespeople because they will want to continue working for the general contractor. Therefore, the materials are more likely to arrive on time and the trades are more apt to meet their scheduled work times. If a tradesperson is not timely, then the general contractor will have the responsibility for re-programming their work to fit the overall build plan.
The quality of materials can be controlled by a general contractor who has established a relationship with the suppliers. The materials will be closely inspected upon arrival. High quality can be expected when a regular customer is ordering the supplies.
One of the important jobs of a general contractor is to resolve discrepancies between tradespeople when parts of the project do not come together as intended. For example, if a new kitchen countertop does not fit, then the general contractor will know who should fix the problem. The owner would not be able to resolve this problem and other problems like it.
General contractors can identify problems with the building plans before construction begins. If a closet will not look right where it is planned, then this could be identified and corrected. Light fixtures and switches need to be in the correct place for efficient and safe use, and these are problems that can also be identified early.
General contractors will bring knowledge of industry standards, project management expertise and peace of mind. They also bring a license, insurance, and liability for injuries and property damage. They are responsible for the actions of their tradespeople. They know the building codes and the best construction methods. Keep in mind that the general contractor has done it all before, for example, when it is too cold to pour concrete or how long caulk needs to set before it can be painted.
The project will be completed on time and within budget using high-quality products and labor when a general contractors are in charge.
