Everything You Need to Know About General Contractors

1. Everything You Need to Know About General Contractors

2. If you’re considering a home renovation or construction project, you might be wondering whether to use the services of a general contractor, or you may not even be sure what their role is. The following information should help you decide whether your project requires a general contractor, and when you hire them, what you can expect them to be responsible for:

3. What are the typical duties of a general contractor? Hired to take a set of building plans and turn them into a complete construction project, a general contractor is responsible for providing the relevant workers or subcontractors – from general builders, to masons, excavation contractors, roofers carpenters and plumbers – ordering materials, inspecting any work carried out, coordinating the schedule of work, and handling paperwork such as bills and invoices.

4. What happens when you hire a general contractor? Usually, you’ll sign a contract with your general contractor that states you must pay certain amounts at certain points during the project, and in return, the general contractor will assume responsibility for the entire building process. This means that all the time, money and stress involved with hiring individual contractors to carry out each phase of the construction project, becomes your general contractors’ problem, not yours!

5. What exactly is a subcontractor? Subcontractors are typically self-employed, skilled and professional tradesmen hired by a general contractor to carry out a range of tasks for specified prices. Many general contractors have their own, regular teams of subcontractors, while others may hire them as and when they need them depending upon the project. How many subcontractors are required for your project will depend upon its size, and your general contractor will arrange for all relevant work to be carried out in accordance with your schedule and budget. Some types of subcontractors required for residential construction and renovation projects include:

6. Surveyors • Earth movers for excavation and site preparation • Foundation contractor • Electricians • Plumbers • Roofers • Painters Depending on the state you’re in, some subcontractors may need to be licensed, and any electrical, plumbing and other types of inspections are the responsibility of the relevant subs.

7. What type of general contractor should you use? A lot will depend on the size of the project, but the bigger the team of subcontractors a general contractor works with, the quicker and more efficient the construction process will be, from beginning to end. If your project involves a small addition or minor remodeling, then a smaller contractor may be the right choice.

8. What do you gain from hiring a general contractor? Basically, your general contractor will ensure that every aspect of your home renovation, repair, addition or complete construction project is professionally taken care of, meaning that you can simply sit back and watch as your plans come into fruition. Take care to only work with an experienced and professional general contractor with whom you can develop a good working relationship, and if they’re local, so much the better.

9. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive general contractor in Queens New York. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for general contractors in Astoria NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.