Can I act as the general contractor for my house project? The short answer is yes. However, there are some definite things you’ll need to know beforehand. 

THE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED

Whether you plan to do some of the work yourself and hire out the rest to subcontractors or hire out all of the work to subs, either scenario will demand you bring three essential skills to the table—organization, forethought, and good communication. If you are deficient in any of these qualities, then you could end up living a nightmare as you try to maneuver the twists and turns of acting as your own general contractor.

THE TIME COMMITMENT

A homeowner that wants to act as a GC needs to have a realistic understanding of the time commitment that will be required. This is going to be ongoing, every single day. You’ll need to be available to answer questions, and if you don’t have the answer—you’ll need to spend time finding an answer or solution. 

Even when you’ve hired the most qualified and capable subs to work on your project, they’re not entirely independent. There are decisions that need to be made—sometimes changes to the original plan or design due to unforeseen issues—and you’ll need to be readily available to take calls, respond to emails or texts, or stop by the site. 

You will also need to consider who is ordering materials, arranging for delivery and acceptance of such, securely storing materials, obtaining permits, meeting with code enforcement officers, and more. A GC’s work is never really “done”—there’s always something to think about for the next day, the next week, the next month. So, be sure to seriously consider how much time you can realistically devote to acting as the general contractor.  

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUBCONTRACTORS

Often a homeowner decides to be the GC because they think it will save them money. Which it may. But if that is the only reason in making that decision, I think they are setting themselves up for failure. And a load of frustration. Also, if a homeowner is only concerned with the money aspect, they may go with the lowest bidder or a sub that doesn’t come highly recommended. And now real problems start to mount. 

It’s critical to choose the right subcontractors—and the best don’t come cheap. They’ve earned the right to charge what they do because they adhere to the highest levels of craftsmanship, are known for meeting deadlines and staying within budget, and overall have built a solid reputation. This type of subcontractor will not require a lot of babysitting—they won’t need daily or hourly supervision or communication from you. And that is going to save you a lot of time and stress. 

When considering which candidate to hire, ask for and rely on previous client reviews. Looking at a completed job or a photo gallery on a contractor’s website may not tell the whole story. Did the contractor end up with a great result because of his expertise alone, or were they working under the direct supervision of a project manager or GC on-site that pushed them to get those results? There are layers to sift through as you interview potential subs. Any possible money saved by acting as a GC should be redirected into working with premium subcontractors. It’s a solid investment.  

SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS

Tap into your communication skills by setting clear expectations for your subs. It’s not enough to say, “Hey, I’ve hired you as the painter. We’d like you to paint the whole house.” Instead, walk through the house, explain the scope of the project, tell them precisely what results you are expecting. Try to understand their process. Ask questions. “Will you be priming? How many finish coats will you use? Spraying or rolling?” Don’t assume they know what you are thinking—be specific in your expectations and direction. 

Failure to openly communicate and set clear expectations is a rookie mistake a homeowner acting as a GC can make.  

If considering all these aspects of being a general contractor leaves you feeling overwhelmed, don’t give up on your project. Many homeowners have fought their way through the hurdles and saw their project reach completion. Others wisely decided to hand over the reins to an experienced home builder with a project manager and dedicated team. There’s no shame in asking an expert for help! 

It’s time to discover what NS Builders can intentionally craft for you! Contact us today to get started on your custom dream home. Together, we can make it happen. 

—Nick Schiffer