Home improvement projects, big or small, require your full attention to achieve the best results. Without attention, projects can become messy – missed payments, no shows, incomplete work – the list goes on. Planning, coordinating, and completing a successful home improvement project can be done on your own, but hiring a general contractor to run the show will save you time, money, and stress. Read on to learn about why you should hire a general contractor for your home improvement project.
Management
A general contractor acts as a manager and a contractor for your project. They are hired to oversee every aspect of the project at hand. Once they have met with and understood all of the details for your project, they will be responsible for acquiring all the permits, materials, equipment, and labour for the specified project. The general contractor may perform some of the work themselves but are specialized in hiring a team of sub-contractors to complete the different tasks needed for the project. Once hired, the general contractor will manage all of the sub-contractors for the remainder of the project.
Communication
A general contractor acts as a middle-man between you and all the sub-contractors completing your project. As opposed to hiring multiple companies yourself to complete the project, a general contractor will hire the sub-trades and explain all the needs for the project. In doing so, the lines of communication are cut from multiple people to just one. If anything needs to be addressed and you are unsure of which trade to talk to, the general contractor will get it sorted for you. This helps to keep the project organized and running smoothly.
Time
Keeping communication intact will help prevent any wasted time and keep your project on track. Being in charge of all timing and scheduling for your project, a general contractor will make sure that all sub-trades are on site when they are supposed to be. The subcontractors will most likely have a previous relationship with the contractor and will be held accountable if they do not show up for work, decreasing the chances of a no-show.
A general contractor will also make sure that all the work is being scheduled properly to accommodate the project itself. Bringing in the painters before the drywallers is not going to work, and your general contractor knows this. They will be able to schedule the right pros at the right times so that your project isn’t delayed and is completed in a timely manner.
Cost
Sub-contractors that are working under a general contractor will charge a lower rate per hour compared to if they are working under just the homeowner. This means that you won’t be overcharged for any of the labour required for the project. General contractors also have the ability to order materials in bulk, which means that you can get top quality material at a discounted price. Having the knowledge and organization tied to your work, there is less of a chance to have to pay another company to repair the work completed, saving you on potential future costs.
Experience
General contractors have a lot of experience in the industry and are familiar with good trades and bad trades. It is common for general contractors to rehire the same workers over again if they were successful on a previous project. Even though you may not have worked with the companies prior to this project, you can trust that your general contractor has.
Unexpected events are bound to happen during any construction project and how they are handled may make or break your renovation and wallet. Compared to scrambling to figure out what the best course of action is in the event of an unexpected situation, the experience of a general contractor ensures that any hiccups are dealt with promptly and properly as to not add any amount of time or costs to your project.
The number one priority for a general contractor is safety. Not only safety for all of the workers but for your home too. General contractors will ensure that all work is done to code and that any permits required are obtained. They will also continuously inspect the work being performed to ensure it is up to standards.
The stress of completing a home improvement project can be overwhelming to you and that can have an impact on your renovations. Hiring a general contractor to handle your project will not only reduce the amount of stress but will also save you time and money. Along with that, your project will be fully managed by an experienced contractor, ensuring that all work is completed safely and in a timely manner. When you’re ready to hire a general contractor for your next project, simply click on the banner below to instantly get quotes from verified pros in your area.
