General Contractors make their money by planning, coordinating and dynamically responding to roadblocks that inevitably come up on projects. This ensures that a project is completed on time and to the client’s standards.
Whether you are remodeling your kitchen or building an office, you need a great GC to manage all aspects of the renovation. This article will discuss the most common responsibilities that General Contractors Oklahoma takes on.
Budgeting
Typically, General Contractors manage teams of subcontractors to complete the more specialized aspects of construction projects. These teams can consist of plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, and iron workers. GCs also hire and manage construction equipment (like engineering vehicles and tools) and services. They are responsible for procuring materials, obtaining permits, and ensuring that work is completed in a safe and code-compliant manner.
They must create accurate project budgets to ensure that the project meets its goals and objectives. These budgets are critical to the success of both a project and a construction business. Effective construction budgeting is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of the scope and challenges of a specific project.
A good general contractor can help clients develop feasible project plans and adhere to budget constraints. They will also be able to identify any deviations from the planned costs and take corrective action to prevent project overruns.
In addition, a good general contractor can communicate clearly with all project stakeholders. They will be able to explain technical issues in laymen’s terms, while also providing options that meet the client’s budget. They are also able to work with the design team to provide pre-design services and cost estimates.
Lastly, great general contractors will have a strong eye for detail and be able to identify any workmanship defects in a timely manner. They will be able to address these issues quickly and efficiently, so that they can keep the project on schedule and within budget.
Many states require General Contractors to have a license to perform construction work. Licensing requirements vary by state, but they usually include experience in the field, references, and a surety bond. Some General Contractors have bachelor’s degrees in fields such as building science, construction management, or surveying. Others have gained hands-on construction experience by working as a skilled tradesman or in supervisory positions.
While there are several advantages to hiring a general contractor, some people are hesitant to use one. These individuals may think that they can save money by doing the work themselves or using a more affordable subcontractor. However, a qualified and experienced GC can save you time, money, and frustration by managing the entire construction process for you.
Scheduling
Scheduling involves the coordination of individual construction tasks to assure a project is completed on time. It involves defining work packages and their scope and dependencies, as well as planning for the use of resources, such as equipment and labor. A general contractor typically employs a scheduler who oversees the process. The scheduler may also create a Gantt chart to visualize the critical path, which defines the sequence of activities that must be completed in order for the project to finish by its designated completion date. In addition, the scheduler will usually plan for resource allocation and perform a risk assessment to reduce potential impact on the schedule.
While a general contractor might perform scheduling duties themselves, it is often outsourced to someone with the required skills in a larger construction company or even an independent consultant who specializes in these services. Regardless of who handles the task, it is important that all stakeholders are aware of the schedule and understand its implications on the overall project delivery timeline.
For example, a home remodel may have issues like bad wiring or rot that requires an electrician to fix before the drywall can be installed. These types of issues can cause delays and may require additional labor hours, resulting in cost overruns. The scheduler can mitigate these problems by evaluating the impact of each change order on the project timeline and budget.
It is also important to identify elements of a project that are out of the ordinary, such as building on wetlands or using a public-private financing model. These factors can be difficult to manage and may cause unforeseen roadblocks that slow the project’s progress. The scheduler can minimize these issues by gathering information from the project team and seeking input from the project owner. This information can include pricing, availability, and lead times for materials, along with the scope of each individual task.
Contract Negotiation
As the lead professionals on construction projects, GCs are responsible for managing many of the specialized aspects of jobs like installing new roofs and redoing flooring. They procure materials, obtain permits, and ensure that the project is completed according to plan. They also coordinate with other parties such as the client, architect/designer, and NYC coop or condo board.
General contractors are responsible for negotiating contract terms that serve their interests, especially those related to insurance and warranties. A GC will typically review the contract during the bidding process and may even have legal counsel recommend changes before submitting it with their bid. Generally, the key contract clauses that pose risks for contractors include indemnification provisions that don’t adequately cover the scope of work or demand prohibitively high deductibles.
Additionally, some contracts have vague payment provisions that are problematic for the general contractor. Fylstra notes that common “pay if paid” and “pay when paid” provisions favor different participants, with subcontractors preferring pay-when-paid clauses because they’re not taking any risk that the owner won’t pay them. GCs, on the other hand, are better served by a pay-if-paid clause that absolves them of paying subcontractors until the owners cut them a check.
A great GC will also carefully examine warranty and bonding clauses to make sure they aren’t stacking the deck against them. They’ll carefully consider the terms of their bids and work with clients to create a realistic scope of work that can adhere to budgets and timelines.
A good GC will also possess the right mindset to tackle unforeseen circumstances on a project. When the unexpected happens—a pipe bursts or a piece of equipment breaks down—they’ll approach the problem with agility. They’ll also keep the client updated on a regular basis, communicating any delays or cost overruns and offering potential solutions. This is why it’s so important to choose the right GC from the start. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your next project with a GC is a successful one.
Project Management
GCs are responsible for coordinating the work of everyone who brings your building to life. They oversee and manage the project to make sure it’s completed in the proper order, according to city specs and other regulations, on time, within budget and with the highest quality of work.
Project management skills are vital for a good General Contractor because they must be able to anticipate any obstacles or challenges that may arise during construction and react quickly to keep the project on track. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with architects, engineers, subcontractors and workers on the ground. Lastly, they must be able to handle all paperwork and ensure the correct permits are obtained and submitted on time.
When choosing a General Contractor, it’s important to find one that will take the time to understand your vision and expectations for your renovation. It’s also a good idea to find out how long they have been in business, and check their references. You should also consider the level of creativity and design services offered by each GC. Some offer complete design services, while others focus on traditional construction.
Depending on the delivery method of your project, a GC may be responsible for both the design and construction stages of your renovation. For design-build projects, the GC works closely with an architect or other designers to create a set of contract documents. These are sent out to GCs who are invited to submit a bid on the project.
A GC who offers a full range of design and construction services can help you avoid the stress that comes with managing a home improvement project yourself. Whether you are looking for a new kitchen, bathroom or living space, a qualified general contractor can handle the planning and construction of your project from start to finish. You can use Sweeten to get matched with local contractors who are experienced in your type of project, and browse photos of their past work to see if they might be a good fit for you.