A general contractor or construction company is a business that manages the project from design to completion on a construction site. The general contractor oversees all the work being performed by subcontractors so that everything moves along without hiccups. A construction company like EJD Construction handles all residential general contractor duties. It’s not uncommon for companies to operate in different states, and you can find yourself dealing with different types of contracts from time to time, so it can be hard to keep them straight. In this article, we will discuss the duties of a general contractor.
What Are the Duties of a General Contractor?
The duties of a general contractor are many, but they are generally similar to other legal duties that other professionals have. In addition to the usual legal responsibilities of any professional (such as following the law and acting in good faith with others), the general contractor must also take care of the project’s budget and timeline.
The general contractor is responsible for making sure everything goes according to plan. They ensure that all materials are delivered on time and in good condition, that all workers are adequately paid, and that the job is completed on budget. Here are some of the responsibilities of a general contractor.
1. Pre-construction work
Pre-construction work is the preliminary phase of a project. It begins when you build your home and ends when you move in. If your home is on the market and the builder has not started construction yet, you will likely have some work to do before the builder can begin constructing your home.
The pre-construction work could involve:
- Gathering information about materials, products, and services required for your home;
- Making arrangements for obtaining building permits from local authorities;
- Appointing an architect or designer to draw up plans for your new house;
- Ordering appliances and furnishings from suppliers;
- Selecting subcontractors who are competent enough to perform their tasks effectively;
- Ensuring that all necessary equipment is delivered before construction starts.
2. Work Scheduling
The work scheduling process is one of the most critical aspects of the project. It involves planning, forecasting, and scheduling the work to be performed on a job site. This is done by the general contractor, subcontractors, material suppliers, and other vendors who may be used in any particular job.
It is essential for all parties involved in the construction project to understand their responsibilities and those of their contractors. The general contractor ensures that all subcontractors are paid adequately for their services and perform their duties according to contract specifications.
The general contractor should also ensure that all subcontractors know what work has been ordered when it will be completed, and how much money they will receive from each subcontractor when they do their job.
3. Manage Staff
The most important duty of a general contractor is to manage staff. Your business will fail if you do not have the right people. This can be very difficult because many companies are in such high demand that they are willing to hire anyone with a college degree and experience.
The best way to ensure that your company has the right people is to make sure that you hire candidates who have the right skills for the job. You should also take into account their personality traits when hiring new employees.
If you hire someone who does not fit with your company culture or lacks experience, it will be difficult for them to succeed at their job. This means you will have an employee who does not perform well and may even cause trouble within your company.
4. Supplier Selection
The contractor should select the right supplier. The contractor should select the right supplier. Suppliers are a critical part of any project. The contractor has to know what he wants, and he has to be able to get it, but more importantly, he has to know who can deliver that product or service at a reasonable price.
A good rule of thumb is “if you’re going to spend money on something, don’t skimp.” It would help if you had quality materials and artistry, which means selecting a good contractor. If you have a problem with your supplier or your supplier is giving you problems, then contact your project manager and let him know.
5. Managing Risk and Safety
The duties of a general contractor include managing risk and safety. This means that the contractor is responsible for protecting the public, workers, and property from accidents caused by their construction projects. The responsibility to manage risk and safety is not limited to ensuring that all work performed on a project meets the required safety standards. The general contractor must also be responsible for maintaining an awareness of potential hazards during construction, identifying any problem areas, and fixing them before they lead to accidents. The best way to ensure a safe workplace is to hire experienced professionals who know how to keep your employees safe while working. If you have not already done so, you must obtain worker’s compensation insurance for all employees who are involved in your projects.
6. Financial Management
Financial management is the essential duty of a general contractor. Before you bid on a job, you should be able to answer two questions: “What is your financial strength?” and “How much does the job cost?”
Financial strength means how much money you have in the bank. Financial stability is essential because it provides the cash flow to pay employees, suppliers, and creditors. The other question about cost is whether you can finish the project on time and within budget. If you can’t honestly answer these questions, don’t bid on that job.
An excellent way to determine how much it will cost is by looking at similar projects done in the past by other contractors. An excellent way to find out how much a project has cost in the past is by asking another contractor who did similar work for them or who knows someone who did similar work for them before they did it themselves.
7. Quality Control
Quality control is a crucial aspect of the general contractor’s job. It involves making sure that the work is done right by the specifications, and it also involves making sure that there are no problems during construction. Quality control can be done using various methods such as checklists and inspections, creating quality control plans and procedures, and conducting regular audits.
Quality control is one of the most important aspects of being a successful general contractor. It ensures that all work produced meets or exceeds client expectations. Suppose there are any problems with the work done by your company. In that case, you may lose potential clients due to negative reviews from previous clients who have worked with your company or because other companies will want to avoid working with you because they know that there are likely to be problems with their projects if they do so with your company.
Wrapping Up
Generally speaking, the duties of a general contractor depend on the type of construction you are looking to complete. A residential project involves interior work and upgrades. Commercial construction differs significantly, and heavy infrastructure involves detailed blueprints that must be executed flawlessly. Other projects may include a mix of these elements, which makes the role of a general contractor even more critical. The best general contractors have mastered all these duties, so looking for one before beginning any building plans is essential. You can read up on more home improvement tips using this resource guide.
