What Does a General Contractor Do, and When Should I Hire One?

Thinking about building or remodeling your home? You’ll need a general contractor to oversee the project. General contractors are construction professionals who can stay on top of a project from start to finish, hiring the necessary subcontractors along the way. Read on to learn more about residential general contractors in Brighton, CO and what to look for when you’re getting ready for your next building project.

Duties

A general contractor may perform some of the construction and design duties, but their main job is to keep the project going smoothly. General contractors secure building permits, hire subcontractors like electricians and plumbers, oversee the project and schedule and ensure everything is up to their standards.

You should hire your general contractor before you settle on a design and begin construction. Contractors can help you set a reasonable budget, then choose designs and features that will fit in. Without their expertise, you could find yourself falling in love with features or designs that won’t work with your kitchen—or that will cost far more money than you’re prepared to spend.

Knowing when you need a general contractor is easy when you follow these rules of thumb. First, if your project is going to take more than a week, hire a general contractor. While some remodeling projects can be done on your own, like installing new flooring material or painting cabinets, longer, more complex projects require special expertise. Second, if you need the help of several different people—for example, an electrician, plumber, mason and HVAC specialist—you should hire a general contractor. They help schedule the contractors and keep the project on track. Plus, they regularly work with other professionals, so they’ll be able to recommend the right people for the job.

Finally, if your project requires building permits, you’ll need a general contractor. They are experts at getting the right permits and building up to code. Save yourself time and hassle by letting them handle the paperwork.

How to find the right contractor

Finding the right general contractor requires some research on your part. When you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, start searching for general contractors in Brighton, CO. Relying on word of mouth can be especially helpful, since you may get to see the contractor’s work in person.

After you’ve identified a few candidates, look for reviews and testimonials. Review sites like Google and Yelp can be helpful, as can the Better Business Bureau. After getting a sense of whether their customers are happy, you can then start interviewing contractors.

Make sure your contractor is appropriately licensed and insured, and get their quote in writing. Ask to review a sample contract, and be very wary of anyone who offers exceptionally long guarantees, asks for cash up front or tries to get you to pay the entire amount up front. This will help you weed out the scammers and get the right contractor for the job.

Ready to speak with a residential general contractor in Brighton, CO? Call Jim Cope Construction LLC today to get a quote on your next project.

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