GCs transform construction visions into realities and manage the process from start to finish. They can plan and coordinate project activities, dynamically respond to roadblocks, and complete your remodel / renovation on time and at a profit.
GCs can perform work themselves or hire sub-contractors to accomplish various tasks. Either way, experience is key to ensuring your job is done right. Contact Electrician Lawrenceville GA now!
A general contractor oversees construction projects to ensure they are completed according to the original specifications. They collaborate with architects and designers to develop a plan for the project and complete the work itself by hiring subcontractors for specialized labor, such as drywall installation or electrical wiring.
A large part of a GC’s job is planning, and they are responsible for developing a schedule that breaks the project down into manageable tasks with deadlines. This helps to prevent cost overruns and keeps the project on track to meet its completion date.
Additionally, GCs are responsible for estimating the project’s total cost and providing the client with a detailed budget. They also assist with obtaining the necessary materials and building components to keep the project on schedule. Depending on the size of the project, a GC may hire a team of financial managers to handle all accounting and bookkeeping.
When evaluating potential GCs for your project, look for an experienced team with a history of successful projects. Their expertise can help them anticipate any issues that might arise and offer solutions or strategies to overcome them. In addition, they understand the safety standards that must be followed on a construction site and can help you avoid any costly mistakes.
GCs are the backbone of any construction project, so it’s important to choose a reputable company with experience. They should be able to provide you with references and a list of satisfied clients. They should also have the proper licensing and insurance for your state. Finally, they should be able to communicate clearly and provide you with realistic expectations about the project. For example, if you are looking to build a commercial construction in a busy city like New York, a top-tier contractor will recognize the challenges of urban construction and prioritize open communication while setting realistic expectations.
Contract Negotiation
Contract negotiations are a critical part of general contracting. They enable a GC to protect its own interests while crafting outcomes that serve a project’s needs. In construction, a negotiated agreement often governs how contractors are compensated, the process for managing changes, and any dispute resolution processes in place.
Negotiating contracts requires the ability to effectively communicate and listen. It also means understanding the context of a project, including any unique or special circumstances. This contextual knowledge enables you to approach contract negotiations with a strategy that considers how those unique or special circumstances might affect your negotiating position and the outcome of the negotiation.
Some project specifics can influence contract negotiating tactics, such as whether the project is being built using a cost plus fee arrangement. In these cases, the GC typically establishes a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) in its contract with the owner. The contractor is then required to bring the project to completion at or slightly less than the GMP. The primary sources of disagreement in this type of contract are the amount and use of the contingency, accounting for savings versus additional costs, and the underlying assumptions and conditions that support the GMP.
Another important factor in contract negotiating is the relative bargaining power of the parties involved. Parties with a significant advantage in this area tend to present a contract and tell others, “take it or leave it.” The more equal the parties are in their relative bargaining power, the more likely they will be to work together to craft an outcome that serves everyone’s interest. Often, GCs will have the opportunity to review contracts during the bidding stage and may want to have legal counsel recommend any contract terms for modification before submitting them with their bid.
Scheduling
A GC takes care of planning, coordinating and dynamically responding to roadblocks that arise during construction to bring your project home safely and within budget. They work to make sure the original specifications are met and that your job is completed with the highest quality standards.
A good general contractor has a clear understanding of the critical path, a construction process that involves breaking large projects down into interdependent segments and scheduling tasks so they can be completed in a sequence that does not cause delays. These tasks can include obtaining permits, material deliveries, equipment rental periods and labor. A GC is also responsible for resource allocation, assigning available resources (labour, materials, tools) to the tasks that need them most.
Having a well-organized plan and schedule is essential to the success of any project, especially for large projects. It allows a GC to see how a change in one task might affect upcoming timelines or milestones and communicate this to their team, project manager, or project owner. For example, if the project needs to be delayed for an unexpectedly long period of time, it can have an impact on the overall timeline because of longer equipment rental periods, extra labour costs, and penalties from material suppliers.
When a GC has a clearly defined and organized plan, they can then use it as a guide to develop an estimate or bid for the project. They review the drawings, scope of work and requirements for the project, collect quotes from specialized subcontractors for their services, add in their overhead costs and deliver to their client an accurate estimate of how much the job will cost. This helps ensure that there are no surprises down the road for either party.
Managing Subcontractors
GCs frequently hire subcontractors to perform certain services on construction projects. Subcontractors can be hired on an individual basis or in stages throughout the project. During the prequalification process, GCs look at the subcontractor’s financial stability, ability to meet schedules and budgets, safety plans, equipment availability, comparable projects, project cost history, payment terms and more. A GC also wants to ensure that the subcontractor has sufficient cash on hand and has experience with the scope of work they are being asked to bid on.
A successful project relies on the quality of the subcontractor’s work. GCs should set clear quality benchmarks and monitor them consistently throughout the project lifecycle. This helps to ensure that the final product is consistent with, and exceeds, the client’s vision.
The quality of the subcontractor’s work can be affected by a variety of factors, such as communication issues, contract disputes and changes in scope. To minimize these risks, GCs should clearly define business terms such as payment arrangements, liability and indemnification, and provide written, detailed scopes of work. This will help to reduce contractual disputes, delays and cost overruns that can affect the overall project timeline.
When it comes to building long-term relationships with a GC, subcontractors need to demonstrate a positive attitude and a sense of teamwork. They need to be responsive and communicate effectively, especially when a change in scope is requested. They can showcase their knowledge and trade expertise by submitting a final estimate that clearly illustrates project scope, including a color-coded digital quantity takeoff. This will build trust and demonstrate that they are a partner to the GC and will deliver quality results on time and on budget.
Managing Projects
One of the most important tasks a general contractor must do is to manage a construction project. This will include a lot of planning, which depends on the type of work, size of the project and other factors. General contractors also have to hire subcontractors and specialized tradespeople. This is often done through a bidding process, and it can take some time to get the right people on board.
Managing a construction site also requires the use of a lot of materials. General contractors must be able to ensure that they are getting the best possible prices on materials, which will help keep the project costs down. They also need to make sure that all of the materials are being used correctly and are high-quality. This will help prevent any issues down the line.
Another way that general contractors can help to lower project costs is by helping with logistics and supply chain management. This involves organizing the movement of materials, workers, and equipment around a construction site to ensure that everything is where it needs to be when needed. This can be a complex task, especially on large construction projects, but a good general contractor will have the experience and expertise to manage it well.
Other ways that general contractors can improve the quality of their work are by implementing new technology and improving communication and collaboration with workers and subcontractors. They can also learn from past projects and use that information to improve future work. General contractors also need to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to roadblocks that arise during the project, which can cause delays and increase costs. This is why it is important for general contractors to have a strong knowledge of building codes and regulations, as well as the ability to resolve any conflicts that may arise on the construction site.