General contractors play a very important role in the construction industry. Not only do they manage all aspects of a building or remodeling project, but they also provide valuable insight to their clients and offer them financial protection against any liabilities (should they occur). Take a closer look to understand just what is a general contractor:
What is a General Contractor?
A general contractor is a licensed professional who oversees the process of building or remodeling residential and commercial properties. In addition to new builds and interior fit-outs, general contractors manage site improvements, remodels, and renovations, providing services that allow their clients to maximize budgets and capitalize on a myriad of skills and expertise.
What Services Do General Contractors Provide?
General contractors facilitate the completion of many or all of the aspects of a construction project. Their goal is to keep their worksites safe while maintaining the highest standards for the projects they complete. Typical general contractor services include:
Budget Estimation and Billing — After meeting with clients and developing a better understanding of a project’s scope, a general contractor will provide an estimate for the project’s projected cost. He or she will take into consideration the price of labor; materials; tools and equipment; permits; inspections; taxes; and more, allowing clients to better anticipate the fiscal requirements of the project at hand. For the duration of the project, general contractors will also ensure that subcontractors are paid in a timely manner and clients have access to accurate financial statements.
Subcontractor Scheduling — One of the most important aspects of a general contractor’s job is to schedule all the subcontractors needed for a project. Union regulations frequently mean tradesmen can only work in one field, necessitating several different teams of tradesmen be hired to complete a single project. General contractors make sure that all the people needed to perform the various tasks of a construction project (such as plumbers, electricians, roofers, drywall installers, painters, etc.) are on site when needed. This keeps the project running smoothly, saving time and money.
Permit and Inspection Requests — Many building projects require permits or official approvals from the local government that allows construction to progress on a property. It’s a general contractor’s responsibility to apply for and secure any necessary building permits and arrange all subsequent city inspections in order to ensure all construction is up to code and, thus, remains valued at its maximum.
Materials Procurement — Of course, all construction projects require materials. General contractors work with clients, subcontractors, and vendors to supply all the tools, materials, and other equipment needed for work to commence onsite. Supplies, such as lumber, drywall, steel, concrete, dumpsters, and much more, come from a variety of sources. General contractors locate, purchase and arrange delivery, sparing their clients the hassle. One of the things that separates Key Interiors from our competition is our ability to control cost and lead times by purchasing most of our materials direct rather than through our subcontractors. We also differentiate ourselves by offering office furniture through our network of over 400 furniture manufacturing partners and rep firms.
The Key Interiors Advantage
So, what is a general contractor? It’s a firm that fills an important role in the execution of quality interior and exterior construction projects. Our in-house team of design and construction professionals at Key Interiors offers a wide range of turnkey construction services that make new builds, renovations, or any other type of commercial or industrial renovation project a lot easier and a lot less stressful. In many instances, we also help our clients save money too. To learn more about the advantages of using Key Interiors for your own construction project, please contact us today.
