Depending on the size of your project and your own do-it-yourself know-how, you may need to make the decision about hiring a general contractor at some point when renovating your home. Many smaller projects can be handled by you without a problem. For larger, or more intricate repairs, it can make more sense to hire somebody to lower your stress.
What Is a General Contractor?
A general contractor is typically a person who has knowledge of many areas in construction and has a dot registration NYC. They haven’t specialized in flooring or tiling, but instead have a mind that can see all stages of a project, what order it should be completed in and the timing of all the different moving parts.
What Does a General Contractor Do?
Responsible for getting your project completed, a general contractor hires the other laborers, creates a schedule for each set of people and oversees the work they are doing. They know all about pricing and quality work, so they can tell if you’re paying for what you desire. All of the administrative tasks, like getting building permits and covering workers with the appropriate insurance, will be taken care of for you.
When Should I Hire a Contractor?
If you have more than a couple of different specialties of laborers coming in for a large project, a contractor can decrease your stress level tremendously. All you have to do is step back and let him or her do the job. They deeply understand the entirety of the project and every moving part that needs to be finished before the next person comes in to do the work. A good frame of reference to have for when to hire a contractor is if the project will take longer than a week, involves more than three subcontractors and requires permits.
How Much Does It Cost?
Most contractors charge between ten and twenty percent of the cost of the completed project. Some will charge a flat fee, but this isn’t common. Remember, the larger the project and the more moving parts there are will increase your stress level as you attempt to handle the details. Taking that part out of the process for you can be well worth the increased amount you need to pay.
Hiring a general contractor can be the best decision for a large project. Make your choice wisely and take into account the time you’ll save by not having to be involved in every detail of your next home renovation.
