Last year, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area had the fastest rate of growth of any area in the United States. Most of the population jump came from cities outside of Dallas, but this hub is still growing at an efficient rate.
To keep up with a growing community, new construction homes are being built and older ones are being remodeled to fit the modern era.
If you have a Dallas project you need to complete, hiring a general contractor is your best option. What does a general contractor do? Keep reading to find out.
What Is a General Contractor?
A general contractor is a construction expert who provides various services to complete a project successfully. They can be an individual or a company. These are the professionals who manage day-to-day tasks on a job site.
A general contractor has these people working under them:
- Project manager
- Construction Superintendent
- Laborers and carpenters
General contractors and construction managers are commonly confused. Although both roles handle managing the construction process, a general contractor provides more hands-on guidance. These professionals spend most of their time on the job site and support team members.
In contrast, a construction manager handles more of the big-picture areas of the construction process. They may work with the company owner or architect to brainstorm ideas and designs.
While a general contractor stays on the construction site, a construction manager tends to work in an office environment providing updates to the general contractor when necessary.
It’s common for general contractors to hire subcontractors to complete most of the work. In this case, the general contractor acts as the project manager and bridges communication between subcontractors and project owners.
Professional contractors put in the work to get a general contractor license. This differentiates them from regular handypeople.
A general contractor has specific trade knowledge and the licensing requirements to handle larger projects, On the contrary, a handyperson comes with their own tools, but they don’t have the knowledge or licensing required for specific projects.
Texas Contractor License Requirements
In Texas, a general contractor’s license and registration are not required, but some cities and county governments require them.
Even though licenses aren’t always a requirement, hiring a general contractor with a license is key to project success. Specific contractors, such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical contractors, need a state license in Texas.
Every business in Texas needs a business license, so property owners need to at least ensure a business has this requirement.
You can use the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) license search to find the correct licenses as you are looking for general contractors to hire.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
What does a general contractor do? It might be easier to list the things a general contractor doesn’t do. General contractors wear a lot of hats to ensure a project is completed to the owner’s standards.
General contractors are responsible for the success and completion of a project. They will oversee everything from bidding to building. Let’s dive into some of the main responsibilities of a general contractor.
Project Bidding
Before the project is in the hands of the general contractor, they have to bid on it. The project owner sends out a request for proposal (RFP), an invitation to bid (ITB), or a request for a quote (RFQ).
These may be sent out to a specific general contractor or open to multiple companies. The bidding process is broken down into these steps:
- Bid solicitation
- Bid submission
- Bid selection
- Forming a contract
- Project delivery
When an owner accepts the bid, the general contractor will deliver the project based on the agreed-upon quote in the submission process.
Building Site Survey
Before any construction can begin, the general contractor will come to the building site to get familiarized with the area. They will check for hazards and start to plan out how the construction or remodel will come to fruition.
For example, if you are preparing for a kitchen remodel, a general contractor will scope out the kitchen before any work starts.
This initial site assessment sets the tone for the rest of the project, so it’s one of the most important tasks of a general contractor.
Compliance and General Requirements
A general contractor works with subcontractors to handle the specifics of completing a project. These connections are bounded through legal contracts.
The general contractor is responsible for generating these contractors and the general conditions of a project. Contractors will base the contracts on what the project owner requires.
No two property owners or developers are the same. A great general contractor is aware of this and will take a customized approach to any project.
With the information they receive from the project owner, a general contractor will create a plan for the project.
Hiring Construction Subcontractors
A construction professional supervising the whole project will hire construction subcontractors. Hiring a general contractor is beneficial because of their large network of professional subcontractors.
Instead of scouting and hiring subcontractors on your own, a general contractor will do this for you. Plus, they already have a list of professionals they can call.
The subcontractors complete a specific job, such as roofing, carpentry, bricklaying, etc. These are specialty trades that require specific licenses a general contractor might not have.
The general contractor is responsible for hiring and drawing up contracts with subcontractors.
General contractors will have building skills that allow them to help subcontractors with certain tasks while overseeing the project simultaneously.
Managing Construction Work
The general contractor oversees the job site. Along with managing subcontractors, they will schedule the bulk of the workforce and coordinate day-to-day activities.
The timeline of the project will depend on the scope and how long a developer can wait for the completion. A general contractor is responsible for breaking down the project and providing a realistic complete date for each stage.
They will monitor work to make sure the team stays compliant with safety regulations and building codes. They will also make sure the project stays on the schedule they set.
Ordering Materials and Renting Equipment
Ordering building materials and renting out the right equipment is a complicated process if you aren’t a general contractor.
A great general contractor will know the materials you want to use and take measurements of your space to order the correct amount of materials.
Using their connections in the construction industry, general contractors can source equipment at lower rates.
Applying for Building Permits
To avoid legal problems, it’s important to have a building permit for construction. Although developers might be familiar with the permits needed, property owners get overwhelmed by paperwork.
A general contractor can eliminate this stress. Contractors will apply for building permits for you. They have the experience necessary to get you the right permits to protect the property and surrounding areas.
Site Security
If no one is living on the property during construction and renovations, it’s important to have security. A general contractor will talk to owners about the best security methods for an extra layer of protection.
Some of the common security methods are:
- Lockable gates
- Temporary security cameras or alarms
- Hiring a security guard
Security is helpful to watch over the site outside of construction hours.
If you are doing a remodel that requires you to be out of your home during construction, security is a good idea.
Waste Management and Disposal
Every construction site requires waste management and disposal plans.
A general contractor makes sures dumpsters are rented out and placed on the property. They can also help clear out waste material at the end of all working hours to prevent it from piling up and becoming a hazard.
Communication
Property owners and developers want to be clued in during the construction process. To ensure your voice is being heard and understood, a general contractor will prioritize communication with you.
General contractors keep you in the loop by letting you know how the project is progressing and what, if any, changes need to be made. You will know when issues arise as soon as possible.
While working on the project, general contractors can use their problem-solving skills to come up with solutions for unexpected issues. A general contractor will take action in any circumstance and assist where they can.
Communication, whether via phone calls, emails, texts, or face-to-face, should be positive and professional. Owners need to find general contractors they can comfortably communicate with.
Hire a General Contractor for Your Next Project
So, what does a general contractor do? A general contractor is responsible for bidding on projects, hiring subcontractors, managing the construction site, and more. They even have the skills to jump in on construction tasks when needed.
Whether your next project requires complete construction or a remodel, hiring a general contractor can ensure success.
With a complete understanding of the construction process from beginning to end, Dallas Pro Contractors are equipped to handle your construction process.
Our team of skilled professionals can help bring your vision to life. Contact us now to set up a free consultation.
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