
Construction Contractors are people or companies that provide labor and services for building projects. They are hired by construction companies or clients to perform specific tasks and deliver their work according to the terms of a contract.
General Contractors, Construction Managers, and Subcontractors are different types of contractors who each play a specific role on a construction project. Understanding their responsibilities can help you select the best contractor for your needs.
General Contractor
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your current one, it’s a good idea to hire the right people for the job. A general contractor is a key player who takes charge of the big-picture details and keeps your construction project running in a timely manner.
To be a successful general contractor, you need strong organizational skills, experience in the construction industry and the ability to read blueprints. In addition to these qualifications, you also need an eye for what’s important and a keen understanding of how to turn the visions of architects and engineers into reality.
A good general contractor will be able to provide you with a budget for your project, keep you informed about what’s happening on site and manage the timeline so that it doesn’t go over the planned completion date. This helps you avoid any unexpected costs or delays and saves you money in the long run.
Construction Manager
Construction managers collaborate with architects and engineers to create project plans and oversee day-to-day construction operations. They ensure that projects run on schedule and under budget, and help keep subcontractors productive during construction.
In the early stages of a project, construction managers perform procurement duties by soliciting bids for equipment, materials, and services. They also prequalify contractors, evaluating their risk and assessing the scope of work (SOW) for each contract.
Once a project’s scope is set, construction managers assign resources to their team of estimators, surveyors, designers, and builders. Much like a master chess player, they use permutations and countermoves to orchestrate all of these people toward one goal: completing their project on time and under budget while maintaining quality builds.
As a result, construction managers are often in high demand. They are required to have a bachelor’s degree in construction science or management and several years of professional experience in the industry.
Subcontractors
A subcontractor is an individual or company hired by a contractor to do specific parts of a project. This can include anything from plumbing to electrical work to carpentry.
In most cases, a construction project involves several types of contractors and subcontractors working together. A general contractor will oversee the overall project, and different tradespeople will complete their part of the job to bring it to completion.
However, some projects are so complex that a single contractor cannot handle everything alone. In these situations, a general contractor may hire subcontractors to help them manage and supervise parts of the project they don’t have expertise in.
Subcontractors can be an effective way to increase output and improve the quality of your work. But they also require a lot of paperwork and need to be managed carefully so that lapses in communication don’t occur.
Project Management
Project management is a process that ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget. It involves a number of different processes, including cost control, scheduling, procurement and risk assessment.
A project manager is responsible for coordinating all aspects of a construction project, and they often work closely with architects, owners and contractors. They may also need to handle insurance and zoning requirements.
They also need to understand how to manage construction materials and equipment, as well as schedule deliveries and other construction activities. This requires strong communication skills and an ability to keep all team members on the same page.
Construction project management is challenging, but it can be rewarding if you have the right skills and experience. It’s important to remember that the more proactive you are, the less likely your project will go off track.