General contractor
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
A general contractor, main contractor, prime contractor, builder (UK/AUS), or contractor (US and Asia) [1][2][3][4] is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of a building project.[5] In the USA a builder may be a sole proprietor managing a project and performing labor or carpentry work, have a small staff, or may be a very large company managing billion dollar projects. Some builders build new homes, some are remodelers, some are developers.[6]
Description
A general contractor is a
A general contractor must first assess the project-specific documents (referred to as a bid, proposal, or tender documents). In the case of renovations, a site visit is required to get a better understanding of the project. Depending on the project delivery method, the contractor will submit a fixed price proposal or bid, cost-plus price or an estimate. The general contractor considers the cost of home office overhead, general conditions, materials, and equipment, as well as the cost of labor, to provide the owner with a price for the project.
Contract documents may include drawings, project manuals (including general, supplementary, or special conditions and specifications), and addendum or modifications issued prior to proposal/bidding and prepared by a design professional, such as an architect. The general contractor may be the construction manager or construction manager at high risk.[clarification needed]
Prior to formal appointment, the selected contractor to whom a client proposes to award a contract is often referred to as a "preferred contractor".[8]
Responsibilities
A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as
It is a best practice for general contractors to prioritize safety on the job site, and they are generally responsible for ensuring that work takes place following safe practices.
A general contractor's responsibilities may include applying for building permits, advising the person they are hired by, securing the property, providing temporary utilities on site, managing personnel on site, providing site surveying and engineering, disposing or recycling of construction waste, monitoring schedules and cash flows, and maintaining accurate records.[9]
The general contractor may be responsible for some part of the design, referred to as the "contractor's design portion" (JCT terminology).[10]
UK and Commonwealth usage
In the United Kingdom and some British Commonwealth countries, the term 'general contractor' was gradually superseded by 'main contractor' during the early twentieth century.[citation needed] This was the term used by major professional, trade, and consumer organizations when issuing contracts for construction work, and thus the term 'general contractor' fell out of use except in large organizations where the main contractor is the top manager and a general contractor shares responsibilities with professional contractors.
General contractors who conduct work for government agencies are often referred to as "prime contractors". This term is also used in contexts where the customer's immediate contractor is permitted to sub-contract or circumstances are likely to involve sub-contracting to specialist operators e.g. in various public services.
United States usage
In the United States the terms general contractor (or simply "contractor"), builder, and remodeler are often interchangeable when referring to small local companies that perform residential work. These companies are represented by trade organizations such as the NAHB who represent builders and remodelers.[11]
Licensing requirements
Licensing requirements to work legally on construction projects vary from locale to locale. In the United States, there are no federal licensing requirements to become a general contractor, but most
"With a few exceptions, all businesses or individuals who work on any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board
In every state that requires a license, a
Licensing qualifications
Some general contractors obtain bachelor's degrees in
General contractors often start out as construction workers. While gaining work experience, they learn about different aspects of construction, including masonry, carpentry, framing, and plumbing. Aspiring general contractors communicate with subcontractors and may learn the management skills they need to run their own company.
Experience in the construction industry as well as references from customers, business partners, or former employers are demanded. Some jurisdictions require candidates to provide proof of financing to own their own general contracting firm.
General contractors often run their own business. They hire subcontractors to complete specialized construction work and may manage a team of plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, iron workers, and other specialists. General contractors build their business by networking with potential clients, buying basic construction tools, and ensuring that their subcontractors complete high-quality work. General contractors do not usually complete much construction work themselves, but they need to be familiar with construction techniques so they can manage workers effectively. Other reasons include access to specialist skills, flexible hiring and firing, and lower costs.
General contractor example
A property owner or
See also
- Construction bidding
- Construction communication
- Performance bond
- Ownerbuilder
- Construction management
- Lien waiver
- Mechanic's lien
- Subcontractors
- Punch list
References
- ^ Davies, Nikolas, and Erkki Jokiniemi. Architect's illustrated pocket dictionary. Oxford: Architectural Press, 2011. 289. Print.
- ^ "Collins Dictionary".
- ^ "Merriam-Webster".
- ^ "Builder vs. Construction Manager".
- Hendrickson, Chris. & Au, Tung (2000), The Design and Construction Process. Project Management for Construction: Fundamental Concepts for Owners, Engineers, Architects and Builders, chapter 3
- ^ "What's the difference between a developer and a builder?". Chicago Tribune. 2005-01-23. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Shekhar, R. K. (2005), Academic Dictionary of Architecture, Delhi: Isha Books, 69
- ^ Law Insider Inc., Preferred Contractor(s definition [sic], accessed 21 March 2023
- ^ Allen, Edward, & Iano Joseph (2009). Fundamentals of Building Construction Materials and Methods. 5th ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
- ^ Joint Contracts Tribunal, Intermediate Building Contract with contractor’s design (ICD), current edition 2019, accessed 7 July 2021
- ^ "About NAHB". www.nahb.org. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ "How Much Does A Contractor License Cost". joinonescope.com. Retrieved 2021-04-17.