A general contractor is an organisation or person that manages the completion of a commercial construction project. General contractors work with their clients throughout the entire construction project and manage all aspects of the project, from acquiring materials and permits to hiring subcontractors. Many general contractors employ their own staff to complete the construction work while others also hire subcontractors to meet additional, more specialised needs.
When to Hire a Retail General Contractor?
Not all construction projects require hiring general contractors, but many do. Your company should hire a general contractor when your commercial construction project will last longer than a week. It can be very difficult and stressful to manage a long construction project on your own. Based on professional experience, general contractors know how long the different aspects of the project will take to complete and can hire and coordinate workers and subcontractors accordingly.
A commercial general contractor should also be hired when permits will need to be obtained for work to be done. General contractors know the relevant building regulations and which permits will be necessary for different types of projects. Trying to figure out which permits you will need can require extensive research, and if you do not obtain all the necessary permits, then your company can face major consequences. It is best to allow a professional to handle permits and building regulations to ensure all rules and regulations are followed.
Finally, your company should hire a general contractor when your construction project will require the skills of multiple subcontractors. Choosing and scheduling multiple subcontractors can be hectic and confusing if you try doing it alone. General contractors have built relationships with subcontractors in different specialities, so they know exactly who to hire and trust with different aspects of the project. They have experience with efficiently coordinating many subcontractors for a construction project so that the work is completed in a timely manner.
Why Hire a General Contractor?
There are many reasons why businesses should hire general contractors to handle their commercial construction projects. General contractors are responsible for overseeing the entire construction project, and they make sure all parts of the work are done within a reasonable time frame. The main reason to hire a general contractor is to reduce the amount of stress a construction project can cause. Your company can have peace of mind knowing that the general contractor is making sure the work is done correctly. General contractors know the building process and will be able to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
When you hire a general contractor to handle your construction project, the liability is transferred from your company to the general contractor. General contractors have worker’s compensation and insurance, which means they are held accountable for any injury or property damage that may occur. Your company will not have to worry about facing lawsuits related to injury or damage while a general contractor is overseeing the construction work. The general contractor is also held responsible if anything goes wrong. They must fix the mistake and incur the costs. This transfer of liability can save your company money.
General contractors have established relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, and these relationships benefit their clients. General contractors know which subcontractors can be trusted to do the job well. Your company can rest easy knowing that the general contractor is only hiring the best and most trustworthy subcontractors to do the work. Because they have established relationships with one another, the subcontractor will often offer the general contractor lower rates. The same holds true for suppliers. General contractors buy large volumes of materials, and they often purchase from the same suppliers. This means general contractors can receive discounts on materials. The savings seen by general contractors filters down to the client. Your company can save money on both labour and materials when using a general contractor.
Did you like this article? Download our checklist “How to choose the right supplier for your Retail construction project?”, where we share 6 great tips how to choose the right partners and manage your projects successfully.
Interested in reading more about us visit our website.
Do you want to talk to our sales, contact Leif Åman, Global Head of Sales
If you enjoyed this article, don´t forget to sign up for our blog!
