The general building contractor is one of the most important people on a construction site. Not only does a general contractor have the leadership and management skills to coordinate the work of other trades and professional contractors, but also the technical knowledge and specialized experience to oversee the building project. As a general contractor, you are responsible for supervising and managing almost every aspect of the construction process, from planning and project management to quality control and keeping all the stakeholders in line.
Let’s breakdown the responsibilities of a general building contractor:
Planning and Coordination
The general contractor’s responsibility is to plan and coordinate the entire project, from beginning to end. They are responsible for developing and maintaining an accurate project schedule, scheduling subcontractors and trade personnel, keeping all parties informed of their respective responsibilities and timelines, and ensuring that all project documents are accurate, clear, and up to date. They’ll communicate with the architect and engineer throughout the process to make sure they have all the information they need to do their jobs.
Site Supervision
The general contractor is in charge of site supervision. As a site supervisor, they will be on the job site every day, meeting with the architect and engineer, reviewing permits and other legal requirements, and supervising the work of sub-trades and trades. Their on-site actions will vary depending on the size of the job and the sub-trades involved, but they should always be aware of what is happening on the site and be able to answer questions or resolve problems as they arise.
Construction Management
The general contractor is responsible for supervising construction activities, including scheduling and managing subcontractors, supervising the work of sub-trades and trades, issuing change orders, and keeping the project on schedule. The general building contractor is also responsible for making sure the quality of the work meets the design standards and specifications of the contract documents.
Quality Control
The general contractor is also responsible for quality control. This means making sure that all the work meets the design standards and specifications of the contract documents and is done in accordance with all applicable codes, laws, and regulations. Quality control can mean conducting site inspections, inspecting the work of sub-trades and trades, or using various quality assurance programs.
Final Step: Completing the Job
The final step in the construction process is completing the job. The last job on a construction site is called the “turn-over”, and the general contractor must ensure that all subcontractors, trades, and contract workers have been paid, that all tools and equipment have been accounted for, and that all permits and licenses have been obtained. The general building contractor should always conduct a final walk-through of the job site to make sure everything has been completed to the specifications in the contract documents, including any changes specified in the change order.
Bottom line
As the general contractor, they are responsible for overseeing almost every aspect of the construction process, from planning and coordination to quality control and final completion of the project. Construction projects can be complicated. They often involve many different trades, and general contractors have to keep track of everyone’s work and make sure it fits together. At the same time, they’ll have to manage the project so that it stays on schedule and within budget. The best general contractors enjoy the challenge of projects like this and have the experience and expertise to make them successful.
