So, you have some experience with DIY projects or maybe your just handy with your hands. Possibly, the thought of building your own custom home or remodeling your own kitchen or bathroom excites you. Regardless of your circumstances, if you are reading this, you have considered being your own general contractor. Our goal with this post is to simply educate you on what you can expect from bring your own general contractor. Of course, we would love for you to hire us, but we understand the motivation for wanting to do things for yourself. However, before we begin, it is important to understand different states and jurisdictions have different regulations concerning being your own general contractor. It would be wise to consult with your jurisdiction to ensure you are following all applicable regulations.
Matter of fact, once you have a scope of work and budget for your project, and your ready to begin, the local building or planning department is where you will begin. Here, you will file for all necessary permits for your project. More often than not, for a kitchen or bathroom project, you will need a permit for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical. The costs of these permits can vary upon the scope of your project, but you can expect to spend north of $200.
After receiving the green light from the building department, you can begin your project! As excited as you may be to start swinging a sledgehammer at your outdated kitchen cabinets, you have to have a plan. One of the biggest roles of a general contractor is project management. You have to know what subcontractors you are using and when you need them. It is always a good idea to collect a certificate of insurance (COI) from any and all subcontractors that work on your home. This certificate should prove they are covered under general liability and workers compensation insurance. Building and remodeling utilize streamlined processes to ensure a job stays on schedule. For example, you wouldn’t want the painter to paint before the electrician and plumber install their trim. You will find scheduling to be a very important part of your project.
Now that you have a schedule and work starts to begin, you are going to need materials. A wise thing to do is to always have materials selected, ordered, and onsite before you need them to avoid unnecessary delays. Be sure to keep detailed records of all materials used including warranty information.
As your project moves along, unforeseen issues may arise. That is where the knowledge and experience of a professional can really pay off. Knowing just who to call and when is vital to overcoming these obstacles. Furthermore, you will need to schedule the necessary inspections at the appropriate times. Contact your local building authority for more information on their process.
A few other things involved in general contracting your own project include keeping track of expenses, ensuring subcontractors are staying on task and completing their work properly to the agreed scope, ordering more materials as needed, and ensuring a safe jobsite.
While this is just a glimpse into what it takes to be your own general contractor, we hope this provides a snapshot of what to expect. It is a rewarding feeling to complete a project to perfection. However, if you ever feel a bit overwhelmed, feel free to connect with us and we would be glad to help you along in any way we can! In the meantime, check out a few other articles about the pros and cons of being your own general contractor. Thanks for stopping by!