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What is a General Contractor and What Do They Do?

Understanding what a general contractor can do for your construction project is important. General contractors are the lifeblood of both commercial and residential construction projects. They coordinate your project from beginning to end, acquiring the best subcontractors and using top of the line materials to ensure the job is done correctly.

Taylor Builders is a general contractor in South Florida specializing in commercial construction and residential construction. In this post we will cover what you can expect from a general contractor and exactly what they do. Let’s get started.

What is a general contractor?

A simple general definition for a contractor is someone who coordinates and supervises every aspect of a building or remodeling project. That includes securing the proper permits for the project and hiring, scheduling and overseeing the work of other subcontractors such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Licensed general contractors take responsibility for the entire worksite which means they carry worker’s compensation and liability insurance. If a worker is injured on the job or your property accidentally damaged, the contractor handles the situation. In short, if something goes wrong, the general contractor is financially responsible for making it right.

Furthermore, hiring a licensed general contractor in South Florida makes sure that all work is done in a way that doesn’t void any product warranties or guarantees. Qualified professionals must install siding, roofing, windows and major appliances in a particular way or the manufacturer may refuse to honor their guarantee. When a general contractor supervises the project, you know everyone will follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Finally, the general contractor is also responsible for securing the workspace and supplies. They handle major projects such as cleaning up and disposing of all trash and debris, as well as the smaller details such as making subcontractors wear protective footwear to protect your floors.

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Types of Contractors

There are two types of contractors: traditional general contractors and design-build contractors. A traditional general contractor takes project plans designed by someone else, typically an architect or designer, and develops a bid to complete the work.

As design-build contractor handles a project from ideation to completion. These contractors usually have in-house architectural and design staff that remain involved throughout the entire process. This is helpful if something unexpected happens during the project that requires a modification in the design.

When to hire a contractor

No one wants to pay for more expertise than they need, so you shouldn’t hire a general contractor unless you’re tackling a fairly complicated project. A good rule of thumb is if a project can be finished in under a week, a handyman or subcontractor can probably do the job.

On the other hand, if the project will take several weeks to complete and involves permits, inspections and multiple different skilled professionals, you probably should hire a general contractor. Unless you’re an expert in construction methods, project management and your local building regulations, you need a general contractor to coordinate and supervise all those activities.

Hiring a general contractor

If you decide to hire a general contractor, do yourself a favor and do your homework. Find out how long the contractor has been in business and if they’ve completed projects like yours; ask to see examples of their work in the portfolio and if you can speak to previous customers. Only work with licensed and insured contractors, and be sure to check Google for local general contractor reviews.

The right professional makes all the difference when you’re ready to fix up your home or start on a commercial construction project.

Taylor Builders: Miami General Contractor

Taylor Builders is a Miami general contractor that serves the entirety of South Florida. We specialize in commercial construction and residential construction, and prioritize finishing our projects on time and on budget. To learn more about our general contracting services, be sure to contact us today and turn your project into a reality.

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