What Does a General Contractor Do?

General Contractor In Lawrenceville GA (also known as a GC) is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of construction projects. They coordinate and corral contractors and tradespeople to work toward a common goal: a successful project.

A reputable general contractor is licensed and experienced but also possesses essential qualities you’ll want to look for in a contractor. They include open communication and realistic expectations about construction challenges in the city.

GCs take the lead role on construction projects and coordinate a wide range of tasks for your project. They are knowledgeable, experienced, and able to troubleshoot issues that might otherwise throw off your project’s timeline and budget. They work with you and your architect to determine a schedule and budget for all the components of your project that will be needed and set milestones for each stage of the job to prevent costly overruns.

A GC’s planning services are vital to making sure the construction process is as streamlined as possible. The GC will coordinate with your project’s team of estimators to build the budget and help reduce costs through value engineering. They will also ensure that the plans for the construction process are accurate and consistent with the blueprints and design specifications agreed upon by your architect.

Large construction projects involve the movement of a significant number of materials and workers, which requires a well-coordinated supply chain management system. A GC will manage this process and oversee the project to make sure that the right materials are delivered to the correct sites at the right time. This will ensure the delivery of quality materials and that the construction is done correctly and on time.

When hiring a GC, be sure to check their licensing status in your state or municipality and make sure that they have the proper insurance coverage. It is also a good idea to ask for referrals from friends and family members, as well as search online resources like Angi, Homeadvisor, Yelp and Google to find a contractor with the right experience in your specific type of project.

Scheduling

When it comes to scheduling, general contractors can offer a variety of services that help clients meet their project goals. These services can include work breakdown structures, critical path analysis, resource allocation and risk assessment. These techniques are essential to successful construction projects. They ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

The first step in scheduling is to create a schedule for the project and communicate it to all stakeholders. This may include the client, project manager, and subcontractors. Typically, a contractor will use scheduling software to create the project timeline and track progress. The software will also include a work breakdown structure that organizes the different activities and tasks of a project. The program will also determine dependencies and communicate them to the project team so that they can follow the schedule and avoid disruptions in other areas of the business.

It is important to monitor the schedule on a regular basis and take immediate action when it is at risk. This will prevent delays in the completion of the project, which can impact the financial health of a general contracting company. In addition, a good contractor will identify other tasks that are ahead of schedule and pull resources from these to help get the underperforming task back on track.

Investing in a scheduling service can help general contractors make more money by allowing them to track customer information, including quotes, projects, invoices and billing history. It can also increase productivity by allowing them to access real-time metrics and reports that can be used for decision-making. Contractor scheduling software is usually designed in a user-friendly way so that even non-technical employees can use it. It should also have built-in security features such as two-factor authentication and cloud storage, which allows users to stay up-to-date even when they are out of the office.

Budgeting

GCs establish construction projects’ budgets and oversee the project to make sure expenses remain within that budget. They also provide cost estimating services by conducting quantity and material takeoffs from the project specifications, creating detailed budget proposals for labor, materials, tools, equipment rentals, permits, inspections, taxes, and more. This helps clients better anticipate the fiscal requirements of their building projects and make more informed decisions about what to include in their home build or renovation.

Large construction projects require a variety of building components and materials from various vendors. GCs ensure the supply chain is streamlined by handling vendor management tasks such as negotiating, obtaining estimates and capacities, quality work, turnaround times, invoicing, and timely payment. They also manage the communications infrastructure among various project units and ensure there are no communication gaps between them.

A GC’s experience and expertise are vital to any construction project. They help to steer the project in the right direction so that it remains as close as possible to your budget, timeline, and dreams. They regularly inspect the construction site and review daily reports, addressing any problems promptly and making necessary adjustments to the schedule or budget. They also ensure that the construction process is being completed as per the plans, ensuring safety and quality standards.

Licensed contractors are required in most states to pass an exam and meet certain requirements before they can work on construction projects. They must also have a good reputation, be insured and bonded, and have a high level of construction knowledge and experience. Additionally, they must be fully financially capable of completing a construction project without exceeding its budget. This is important because contractors are typically required to pay their subcontractors and vendors in a timely manner to keep projects running smoothly.

Vendor Management

The vendor management process encompasses all the steps that a company takes to select, evaluate, negotiate and manage relationships with external vendors. This includes identifying the right partners, conducting due diligence to assess their financial stability, reputation and capabilities, and negotiating contracts with clear performance metrics. It also involves monitoring performance and addressing any issues promptly.

Vendor management can be a complex task, but it’s important to build strong partnerships with mission-critical suppliers. Managing these relationships can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance business results. To do so, businesses need to set goals for their suppliers and provide consistent feedback on how well they are meeting those objectives.

It’s also crucial to keep up with industry trends, which can impact the type of goods or services that a vendor offers. This can help companies identify and compare alternative vendors, enabling them to find the most cost-effective solution for their needs. In addition, a strong vendor management program helps reduce rogue spending. Rogue spending happens when employees purchase products or services without reviewing procurement policies and contract requirements.

A comprehensive vendor management program can also cut costs by consolidating vendor relationships, reducing overall spend and improving contract terms. It can also minimize disruptions to operations by establishing contingency plans for when vendors experience problems or fail to meet service level agreements.

Procurement teams are often responsible for handling vendor contracts, but they can benefit from additional support from IT/security and legal departments. This is because vendor contracts are legally binding documents and can expose the company to fines or reputation damage if not negotiated correctly. By using a software system that automates the review and approval process, organizations can speed up the process and avoid costly mistakes.

Communication

A good general contractor offers a variety of communication services throughout the project. They can be a liaison between the client and vendors, and manage communication with all involved parties. They also help clients understand complex construction processes and procedures. This can be helpful for the client, as they will have a clear idea of how to proceed with their project.

In addition, a good general contractor will communicate daily progress reports with their clients. This will help keep the client up to date and avoid costly delays. They will also communicate any issues that may occur during the build and how they will be resolved. This is important because many issues can arise during construction, including weather, financing, and accidents. A good GC will anticipate these issues and be prepared to resolve them quickly.

When choosing a GC, make sure they have the required credentials and experience. It is also a good idea to check their reputation online before hiring them. A good GC should have a solid track record and a clean complaint history. They should also be professional at all times and be able to answer questions clearly.

Finally, when looking for a GC, it is important to find someone you get along with. After all, you will be working closely with them for weeks or even months. If you can’t imagine yourself getting along with them, it is likely best to choose another contractor. This is especially true if you are building in a city where there are a lot of unscrupulous contractors who try to take advantage of people during disasters.