General contractors are responsible for all aspects of a construction project, including overseeing the work on site and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed. This includes managing subcontractors, sourcing materials and ensuring that the job is done on time.
How to Become a General Contractor
The first step to becoming a general contractor is to get the right education. The bare minimum is a high school diploma, though some college is recommended if you want to advance to working as a construction manager.
You may also be required to have a license or permit in your jurisdiction. For instance, if you’re working in New York City, you need to register with the Department of Buildings.
A general contractor should have experience in the field and understand all of the local laws and regulations that they will be responsible for. This will ensure that the project is built in a safe manner and meets all of the code requirements.
They should be able to meet with the homeowner or their architect to discuss the details of the project and get a sense for what needs to be done. This is an important part of the job as it helps them to better plan for what will happen when the actual building begins.
GCs often submit bids or proposals for projects, which are a way of outlining the scheduling and cost of the construction. Creating these bids can be time-consuming, requiring that they take off quantities and materials from the project’s specifications to create detailed cost estimates.
After the bid is accepted, they then begin planning the project. This can involve identifying the project’s priorities, scheduling subcontractors and submitting a detailed schedule to all parties involved in the building process.
Once the plans are complete, a general contractor must begin the actual construction of the building. This can include laying foundations, installing roofing, wiring, plumbing and electrical work, installing interior walls and ceilings, painting, and other tasks.
The general contractor must then hire and supervise the construction crews that will be responsible for the work on site. These crews may be made up of construction laborers, carpenters, electricians and other specialized tradespeople.
In addition to coordinating the construction process, general contractors must make sure that everyone on the team is properly trained and that all safety standards are adhered to. This can include ensuring that all workers have proper safety gear and that they know how to use tools safely.
They must also be able to communicate clearly with their teams and the client. This is an important aspect of the job as it allows them to keep everyone on the same page and ensure that any problems are handled quickly and effectively.
A general contractor will typically be paid a percentage of the overall cost of the project. This fee is usually paid at different points throughout the project, based on a payment schedule that you and the contractor agree upon.
