Are you thinking of becoming a general contractor? It's a great career path to consider, with a wide range of skills required and complex challenges to overcome every day. Many people think that general contractors, or GCs, just oversee a job site, but there's a lot more going on behind the scenes. But is it the career for you?
What Do General Contractors Do?
A general contractor's job is to oversee a construction project from start to finish. They're responsible for providing labor, machinery, and materials for the site and for hiring subcontractors. They make sure that construction proceeds smoothly and that the project is completed from beginning to end on time and on budget. Many GCs will choose to specialize in a particular type of construction, such as residential or commercial, while others will work on a broad range of projects throughout their career.
The role combines a diverse range of skills, especially business, project and human resources management, and legal compliance. Interpersonal skills are particularly important, as GCs work closely with the other members of the construction team throughout the project to solve problems and ensure that the project progresses as planned. They are also an important liaison between the various organizations involved in the project through all stages of the build and are responsible for relaying instructions or concerns to and from the site and project owner.
Skills and Responsibilities Required as a General Contractor
A general contractor is a skilled professional who has a wide range of responsibilities. One of the key features of the role is that they will report directly to the project owners, while also managing a team of sub-contractors. To do this efficiently, they need to have a good knowledge of the wide range of jobs their sub-contractors do. However, there's also a wide range of other skills and responsibilities they'll need to have to be able to do their job effectively.
Project Management
Arguably a GC's main role is to act as a project manager and to ensure the job site has everything that it needs for construction to proceed smoothly. It's their responsibility to make sure that the site has all the funding, personnel, and materials it needs. They're also responsible for sourcing and hiring workers, and for making sure that they are paid fairly and on time.
Project Coordination
Whether the project is for a private, commercial, or government client, there must be a proper plan for construction in place. The general contractor is responsible for drawing up a timeline, estimating budgets, and ensuring that the construction details are implemented properly. They will also determine what materials are needed and ensure that they are supplied on time. They'll also try and predict any alterations that might need to be made to the original plan and make appropriate adjustments accordingly.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
No matter what the jurisdiction, every construction project will be covered by a comprehensive regulatory and legal framework with which it must comply. Navigating this legal minefield is one of the general contractor's responsibilities, and they'll often be required to obtain the necessary licenses and permits before construction can even begin. They'll also need to be sure that their own licenses are up to date.
To be able to do this effectively, they must have a good, up-to-date, knowledge of the construction laws in the area they operate and make sure they are aware of any changes to licensing and regulation. Relevant legislation could include building codes, site health and safety, and zoning laws, amongst other factors.
The General Contractor Career Path
General contracting is not the easiest career to get into. You'll need to have acquired significant professional experience working in the field, to be able to manage a job site effectively.
Apprenticeships are excellent ways to get into the construction trade and many general contractors will have started their careers this way. They typically last between three and five years and will involve a combination of practical on-the-job experience and education to give you the best start possible. However, you'll need to have more than just knowledge of the construction site, so you might consider taking a degree in construction management or structural engineering to widen your knowledge and experience.
Getting a Contractor's License
One of the most important pieces of paperwork you'll need as a general contractor is your state contractor's license. While having the license isn't a hard requirement in every state, it's an important proof of your skills. In many states, a licensed contractor must be on-site before work can even begin. Requirements for licenses vary, but many states require you to take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge, and most require you to pay a yearly fee to keep the license active.
Additional Certifications
While not a requirement in many cases, several other certificates are worth acquiring to further your career as a general contractor and increase your job opportunities. These include:
- Certified Construction Manager, issued by the Construction Management Association of America
- Certified Professional Constructor, issued by the American Institute of Constructors
- Associate Constructor, issued by the American Institute of Constructors
Each of these has a variety of examination and experience requirements. For example, the Certified Construction Manager qualification requires a minimum of 48 months of experience as a construction manager, paying a registration fee, and passing an exam. However, having these on your resume will be sure to boost your job opportunities and increase your authority as a general contractor.
Whether you're already in the construction field, or just starting your career, becoming a general contractor comes with limitless opportunities. If you do decide to choose this career path, then make sure to visit ServiceBox, a revolutionary software package that can help you manage invoicing, accounting, inventory, scheduling and so much more. Check it out today!
