General Contractors
General contractors perform work on buildings and repair projects for specified prices, within fixed periods of time. They typically accept projects for homes as well as larger structures such as office buildings.General Contractor Services
There are many types of specialized contractors, including electrical contractors, heating system contractors, and plumbing contractors.
A general contractor is a jack-of-all-trades who manages the overall project and, depending on the situation, subcontracts specific parts of it to qualified specialists (for example, a plumbing contractor). A good general contractor must have working knowledge of all aspects of any given project, especially in making sure that all workers are working well together and that the project is coming together meeting all laws and regulations and within agreed upon budgets.
Business acumen is as important to a successful general contractor as is knowledge of the hands-on trades involved in the project. Vital knowledge includes knowing how to manage personnel, budgets, and the fine art of making competitive (and realistic) bids for projects. A general contractor must be able to keep the business side in sharp focus while not losing sight of the physical demands and needs of projects.
Becoming a General Contractor
Most general contractors will begin as apprentices. Typically, they work under and learn from experienced tradesmen. With time, on-the-job training, schooling, and patience, apprentices can become skilled laborers.
All states have their own licensing boards for contractors. Qualified general contractors are certified by the board and licensed by the state; they are also subject to strict rules, regulations, and penalties. Dealing with unlicensed contractors leaves consumers with little or no recourse against poor work or other fraudulent practices.