Should I Hire a General Contractor?

You have a construction or renovation project that you want to tackle but you are not sure if you should hire a General Contractor, a Subcontractor or even do it yourself. If your project is large, you are going to want to hire a General Contractor. If your project is small and limited such as replacing a toilet or installing a ceiling fan, you can be comfortable with hiring a subcontractor. Finally, be honest and ask yourself if you are skilled enough, have the necessary tools, or have the time to take on the project yourself. This discussion may help you make an informed decision.

General Contractor

The assistance of a General Contractor can always be valuable because they can handle new construction, renovations or repairs. If your new construction or renovation project is large or challenging, you definitely want to hire a General Contractor to assist in the overall scope of the job and to manage the entire project. The overall responsibility of a General Contractor begins prior to the physical construction, with an assessment of the project, the plans, and the budget.

The depth of pre-construction involvement will vary depending on the size and scope of the job. Throughout the project the General Contractor will:

  • Maintain communication with the client.
  • Carry the necessary insurance.
  • Provide all materials.
  • Provide all labor including the hiring of subcontractors.
  • Oversee the quality and timeliness.
  • Monitor the schedules, payments, and cash flow.
  • Keep accurate records of the project.

So, you have decided to hire a General Contractor. You want to make sure you hire a General Contractor who is qualified for the job. The question is now how do you find the right person for the job? There are many internet services that provide lists of General Contractors in your area. For example, Home Advisor, Houzz, BuildZoom, Porch, and Facebook.

As you review these sites, keep in mind that you want someone who is reputable and experienced. Review the following:

  • The company website with pictures and testimonials of past jobs.
  • Check to see how long they have been in business.
  • Have they ever been sued or received complaints?
  • What kind of insurance do they carry?
  • Have they completed similar projects?
  • What do past clients say about the General Contractor?

The final step in making your hiring decision should be a face-to-face interview. Do you get good vibes? Do you like this person? Do you like the answers to your questions? Once you have hired a General Contractor, step back and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your project is in good hands. Let the General Contractor manage the job!

Subcontractor

Maybe your job is small or limited in scope and you think you need to hire a subcontractor. These are people who are specialists in a certain field of construction such as electrical, plumbing, painting, HVAC, etc. Many of the subcontractors will have a presence on the internet including a company website. Follow the same process outlined above for reviewing and hiring a subcontractor. Find out how long they have been in business…do they have insurance…do they have a license…do they have references…do you get good vibes?

The choice is yours. Unless you can take on a do-it-yourself project, a subcontractor is probably the right fit for a small job or repair but if you have a larger project, you will need a General Contractor. Just be diligent in doing your research in selecting the professional right for you and your project.

We are insured General Contractors with many years experience building custom homes and renovating or repairing existing homes. We look forward to discussing your project with you. We invite you to view our Gallery of Homes and to take a look at some our recent renovations!