General Contractors are responsible for overseeing the construction of a building or remodeling project. They manage a team of subcontractors and often hire other specialized tradespeople to complete their projects. These include electricians, plumbers, masons, iron workers, and carpenters.
They are also responsible for purchasing materials and equipment needed to build a property. They must ensure that all work is done in a safe manner and follows the proper procedures.
The general contractor also coordinates with other people who may be involved in the project, such as the architect or homeowner. This coordination is important for the safety of all parties on the job site and for ensuring that the work being completed is within the budget.
They receive a percentage of the project cost as their fee. This money is paid to them at various points throughout the construction process, usually based on a payment schedule they agree on with the client.
When hiring a General Contractor, General Contractor Barrie make sure they have a strong work history and have a good reputation in the local construction industry. They should also be able to give you references from past clients or employees who have worked with them.
In addition, make sure they have a license to practice in the state or area that you are hiring them for. This is required by most states, and it will help to protect you and your property in the event of a dispute with the contractor later on.
This also helps to ensure that the contractor is a reputable company and has insurance coverage for your property, if you should ever need it. They should have a contract or agreement with you that sets out their responsibilities, rights, limitations, standards of behavior, payment schedules and remedies for breach.
They should be able to communicate effectively with you and with the other members of your construction team, including the architect or engineers, subcontractors, and laborers. They should be able to organize tasks and schedules for the project in a timely manner, and they should be able to respond quickly when you have questions or concerns about the project.
Some general contractors have sizable fleets of trucks and trailers that transport heavy equipment and building materials to and from the construction site. They will need to have commercial drivers’ licenses and be in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
For this reason, they should be able to ensure that they are adequately insured and that all of the vehicles and trailers are secured at all times. This is especially important when moving large amounts of flammable or toxic building materials or equipment.
In addition, they should be able to ensure that any problems that may arise on the construction site are resolved in a timely manner and that the site is properly maintained at all times. They should also be able to ensure that all of the construction workers are properly trained and safety-certified before they start working on the site.