Why Hire a Good General Contractor?

Most homeowners often don’t realize the extent of work and experience involved in bringing a project beautifully to completion.

The reason why that home you saw in the magazine looks so beautiful, is because of the care of the details all coming together by an excellent General Contractor (GC) with the right team! If you’re considering being your own GC here are a few things you may not have considered:

1. Being a General Contractor is a full time job: Even if you hire you own plumber, they need direction. From start to finish the GC gives everyone a plan and makes sure everything is in the right place at the right time so that it all gets installed properly in the end. A good GC is more than a project manager, we’re on site daily with tools in hand.

2. We have a team of experienced trades and suppliers: Finding the right trade can by confusing and time consuming. Getting estimates are only as good (accurate) as the information you provide. As a GC, we already have a list of tried-and-true trades that are also committed to quality work. Having an existing relationship with suppliers may also result in better pricing!

3. We are your one point of contact: A good GC is the leader on the project, connecting the dots, and is truly invested in the end result. If something goes wrong or if there are changes to the plan, which are bound to happen in a renovation, you have one person to fix it instead of going around in circles playing the blame game. We are master problem solvers and help the vision come to life.

4. We save you money: Diligent planning and keeping the project on track goes along way to saving you money. We ensure each trade is lined up efficiently (and materials are on hand) to avoid unnecessary visits. We will also value engineer your home, giving you alternatives in line with your budget and advising when it’s worth the spend or to skip it and save.

5. The stress involved with a renovation. We know renovating is a big investment of time and money, and the stress of getting things done right and within budget can interfere with your normal life. Having a good GC take on that responsibility will make your renovation an enjoyable process (both physically and mentally). A good GC is easy to reach, keeps you updated as often as you like, leaving nothing as a surprise.

You’re not paying a General Contractor just to have them make phone calls. You’re hiring them for the list of reasons above. We’re an extremely important member of your renovation team, as important or more than each sub trade.

Most homeowners who I talk to who decided to manage their own project – if they could go back they would have gladly paid for a GC. That being said, the key to your projects success is not just ANY General Contractor but a GOOD one.