Contractor

General contractors are responsible for organizing the work that goes into a renovation or construction project. They act as an intermediary between the subcontractors who perform the necessary jobs and the developer or homeowner. General contractors may be in charge of many different people on one job site, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters and landscapers. They are usually suggested to a client by an architect or designer.

Education

It is not always necessary to have formal education to become a contractor, although a bachelor’s degree in construction management or some related field is becoming increasingly more important and almost required. The basic requirements include possessing a high school diploma, having a clean work record in construction, and being able to legally work in the United States. Many employers today however, prefer that you have a bachelor’s degree, and in some cases even a master’s degree. Clemson University (https://www.clemson.edu/caah/csm/) and the University of Washington (https://cm.be.washington.edu/) are two notable schools in the United States who offer excellent programs in the field of construction management. Many unions, however, offer apprenticeship programs lasting between 2-5 years, if you wish to avoid the University route and the expenses it brings. To gain your contracting license, you will need to pass an exam about the laws pertaining to construction and about construction skills. You may also need to provide reference letters from your bank saying you have the required funds to operate your own business, and prove you have relevant job experience.

Job Description

General contractors bring their expertise and knowledge to job sites and help organize and supervise the construction process. The contractor is responsible for calculating the cost of labour and materials and equipment to provide the home owner with an estimate of how much the job will cost. They then budget to ensure the job does not exceed the estimation price. They are also responsible for hiring specialized individuals to complete a certain part of the construction process. This includes plumbers, electricians, landscapers, carpenters, and painters. They are responsible for supervising each group, ensuring each group has the necessary supplies, and paying them. They also make sure all the work is being completed in tune with regulations and apply for all the required permits. The biggest part of their work is constantly communicating with home owners and workers and ensuring the project time line is kept on track. Essentially, they make sure everyone is happy and supervise the entire project.

Pros & Cons

As a general contractor, you will experience constant job variation. As most construction jobs are generally short (under a year), you will be changing job sites frequently. No two jobs are alike, and thus you will constantly be working in a different environment; hopefully keeping your job fresh and entertaining. You also bill the hours you work, meaning you can work the hours you choose. You can take as long as lunch as you want and leave as early as you want, as long as the project is not experiencing any setbacks. At the same time, the more you work the more money you can earn. You can earn a very nice salary depending on the amount of jobs you take on per year. If you work as a self-employed general contractor however, you lack the benefits that come with other jobs. You also don’t have a safety net and are responsible for finding each job yourself. You are also responsible for everyone you hire. If they make a mistake or get injured on the job, you could be blamed.