What Does a General Contractor Do?
The general contractor (also known as the main contractor or prime contractor) oversees all aspects of a construction project, including the day-to-day oversight of the construction site, the management of trades and vendors, and communication between the project team and the public. He or she also manages the construction budget and manages any problems that may arise.
The general contractor works like an office manager, ensuring that everyone is where they should be. They also develop the project timeline and manage site safety standards. They work with the property owner to visualize what the project will look like. Because they have worked on a wide range of projects, they also have a vast amount of knowledge about the construction process.
When it comes to the project budget, the general contractor’s estimate is crucial. He should have access to the site and meet with subcontractors before generating an estimate. Once all parties agree on prices, he or she can create an estimate for the client. Before creating an estimate, he or she should consult a general contractor pricing guide to determine the correct price range. This guide will include information such as common materials costs and subcontractor labor rates.
When evaluating the general contractor’s performance, it’s essential to consider how he or she is motivated to keep the project within budget. The general contractor benefits when the overall costs of the project are under the bid price and the unused funds are retained as profit. Cost overruns, on the other hand, require the general contractor to ask the owner for additional funds or make changes to the project’s scope. Moreover, cost overruns are more likely to occur if the general contractor is not involved in the pre-construction stage.
General contractors that supervise construction or demolition must register with the New York City Department of Buildings’ licensing unit. The licensing unit can help you with more information about a general contractor’s registration. So, before hiring a general contractor, ensure that they have experience and expertise. If there are any problems or complaints with the general contractor, take the time to contact them and discuss the situation.
General contractors must monitor the activities on site and ensure that all work is done in a disciplined manner. They also must manage disputes between subcontractors and third parties involved in the construction project. Moreover, they should ensure that the subcontractors are doing their job as per the contract. This way, the general contractor can avoid any unnecessary litigation or liability issues.
Payment is another important consideration for the general contractor. Most of the time, payment is contingent on the general contractor completing all required paperwork. Some paperwork can be burdensome, such as collecting hard copies of lien waivers from subcontractors. Streamlining paperwork and improving communication with subcontractors can help solve payment delays.