What is a general contractor

A general contractor is responsible for overseeing work at a construction site. They communicate with clients and coordinate subcontractors, taking care of various segments of the work. They consult with designers, provide an estimate for the budget, and carry out the plan.

General contractors are responsible for the outcome of a building project, sometimes participating in the actual manual labor as well, while other times they manage several construction crews at different sites. They manage everything from schedules to work permits and equipment.

Becoming a general contractor is less about textbook knowledge than hands-on experience in the construction business. Reading blueprints, drawing up estimates, keeping track of things, and communicating with clients and workers is most of the job. More often than not, general contractors start out as skilled builders and pick up the rest along the way.