| For those planning a home improvement project for | | | | GCs generally mark up every piece of material and |
| which keeping the budget modest is a major factor, | | | | every sub-contractor salary, sometimes by as much |
| the question often arises, "Should I be my own general | | | | as 30% or more, if you can save some of that money |
| contractor?" Let's take a look at the pros and cons. | | | | by acting as your own GC, by all means do it. |
| First let's look at what a general contractor is and | | | | But if you are not familiar with the details of completing |
| does. | | | | your project, those potential cost savings can turn into |
| In a nutshell, a general contractor, or GC, is the person | | | | cost overruns in a hurry. With a smaller home |
| responsible for the overall, successful completion of | | | | improvement project, however, the stakes are not as |
| the project. On a small home improvement project that | | | | high and so the potential benefit is there without the |
| could mean doing the actual construction work as well | | | | same degree of risk. |
| as managing the details such as permits and staying | | | | But even with a smaller home improvement project, |
| on budget. | | | | there are qualities a GC should have that are |
| For a larger project such as a room addition, a major | | | | important. |
| structural remodel or building an entire house, it falls to | | | | Unless you'll be doing all of the demolition, sawing, nailing |
| the GC to hire, manage and pay the sub-contractors | | | | and finishing yourself, as GC, you'll be hiring, managing |
| (the workers who will be building the moulds, pouring | | | | and paying the sub-contractors. People skills, |
| the concrete, doing the framing, etc.) as well as making | | | | knowledge of finances and a healthy dose of |
| sure the job gets done on budget, on time and | | | | common, good sense are necessary. |
| accurately. | | | | If you've never done a home improvement project |
| If you are thinking of being the general contractor for a | | | | similar to the one you will be taking on, a willingness to |
| large project, having at least an intermediate level of | | | | ask questions - even ones you think are just plain |
| knowledge of the construction process, including pulling | | | | dumb - is vital. Also, having a "can do" problem-solving |
| permits, local construction codes, contracts and proper | | | | attitude is recommended. After all, you'll be the one |
| insurance is very important. | | | | everyone looks to when a fix, change or solution is |
| Also, you need adequate time to supervise the goings | | | | needed. |
| on at your site. I don't know many people with the free | | | | The main argument against being GC on your own job |
| time away from a job to successfully manage this | | | | is a big one. If you don't like the finished job, you have |
| type of large undertaking. If you are short on | | | | no one to point the finger at (or fix what you are |
| knowledge and/or time, but are still thinking of acting as | | | | unsatisfied with) but yourself. |
| GC on your major home improvement project, I wish | | | | The value of a good GC is his or her experience and |
| you good luck. This is not to say you can't do it, but the | | | | ability to solve problems. While there will certainly be |
| headaches might not be worth the trade off. | | | | extra cost involved in your job by hiring a general |
| Let's not forget that the main reason to act as your | | | | contractor, in the end the peace of mind might be |
| own GC is potential cost savings. Since professional | | | | worth the expense. |