Responsibilities of a General Contractor
A general contractor (GC) is a person, team or firm that carries out the construction of large home projects for clients. They are responsible for ensuring that all construction-related issues are handled and completed in a timely and professional manner, while still meeting expectations of the client or project owner.
Their responsibilities include hiring and supervising Subcontractors and Construction Workers, managing their schedules and delegating tasks to them based on their individual expertise. They also ensure that all parties involved in the project remain informed of progress and any unforeseen issues.
They oversee the entire construction process, and provide daily updates to their clients about the progress of the work. This may involve sending emails, text messages or even phone calls, and they must be able to convey any important updates in a clear and concise way.
GCs are licensed by their states and must adhere to code requirements in the process of completing projects. They also need to be aware of the financial aspects of their responsibilities, including keeping their project within budget.
General contractors manage and coordinate the supply of materials to their job sites, while ensuring that the raw material is of the appropriate quality and in the right quantities for the job at hand. They also must have a strong and effective vendor management system in place to ensure the timely delivery of supplies from vendors and that they are paid on time.
Another responsibility of a general contractor is to ensure that the entire construction project remains under budget by working with their accountants and financial professionals. This can be challenging to accomplish if the project has several subcontractors and is being built in stages, but it is essential for a successful construction project.
Payment delays can be a major issue for many general contractors. They have to fulfill numerous requirements ? such as collecting hard copies of lien waivers ? before they can begin disbursing payments to their subcontractors. These requirements are time-consuming and can make it difficult for a general contractor to meet their goals.
To combat these challenges, a general contractor can employ a specialized team to help them streamline the process and get the work done on time. This can help the entire team and their clients feel secure that their money is being spent efficiently.
The GC can also be a valuable resource to their clients for grant applications and other financial-related issues that they might encounter during the course of a construction project. A reputable and experienced GC like Corr will know what it takes to write a winning proposal that will increase the odds of landing a lucrative grant or other type of financing.
Buildings under construction are more prone to fire than existing structures, so general contractors should take extra precautions to avoid this risk. They should store flammable materials safely and minimize risks of injury by keeping the site tidy.
In addition to this, they should have good housekeeping and fire protection plans in place. These can be especially important if they are performing work on residential homes or apartments, as the potential for fire to break out is greater there than on commercial properties.