What a general contractor does and doesn't do

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

A general contractor manages the overall project. They coordinate trades, schedule work, handle permits, and ensure the project meets the contract. They might do some carpentry or demolition themselves, but their primary role is project management and coordination.

Understanding what a GC does helps you know when to hire one and what to expect.

What a General Contractor Does

Manages the overall project. Develops the schedule. Ensures trades show up when needed.

Coordinates subcontractors. Hires electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs as needed. Manages their quality and timeline.

Handles permits and inspections. Obtains permits (or coordinates with you to obtain them). Schedules inspections. Addresses inspector requirements.

Manages quality. Ensures work meets the contract and building codes. Addresses quality issues.

Communicates with you. Provides updates. Addresses your concerns. Manages your expectations.

Manages costs. Pays subcontractors. Handles invoices. Tracks expenses against budget.

Handles logistics. Arranges material delivery. Manages job site cleanup. Coordinates dumpster rentals.

What a General Contractor Usually Doesn’t Do

Licensed trades they don’t specialize in. A GC might not be a licensed electrician, so they hire one for electrical work.

Specialized work like HVAC service, plumbing repairs, or electrical troubleshooting might require licensed specialists.

Design. A GC doesn’t design your project. They build what’s designed. If you want design help, you need an architect or designer.

Permits and inspections (in some cases). Depending on your contract, you might handle permits. Clarify this upfront.

When You Hire a General Contractor

For large projects (kitchen remodels, whole-home renovations, new construction). A GC coordinates complex work.

For projects requiring multiple trades. If you need electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framing, and finishing, a GC manages them.

When you don’t want to manage trades yourself. A GC handles the coordination.

When You Might Not Need a General Contractor

For small projects (single trade, limited scope). Painting a room, replacing a toilet, new light fixtures.

If you’re handy and enjoy project management. You can hire individual trades and manage them yourself.

If the project is simple (one area, one type of work).

What to Expect from a Good GC

Clear communication. Regular updates. Responsiveness to your questions.

Organized schedule. They plan the sequence of trades. They don’t have electricians arriving before demolition is done.

Quality oversight. They inspect work. They address problems.

Budget management. They stay on budget. They notify you of overages before they happen.

Cleanliness. They manage job site waste. They keep the site reasonably organized.

Red Flags with General Contractors

They lack specific trade skills yet claim to handle specialized work. A GC shouldn’t be doing electrical or plumbing work if they’re not licensed.

Poor organization. Schedule is chaotic. Trades arrive unexpectedly. Materials are disorganized.

They pass all problems to you. “That’s the plumber’s problem” isn’t acceptable. A GC manages trades and resolves issues.

They don’t communicate. You have to chase them for updates.

They’re slow to address quality issues. Problems should be corrected promptly.

Understanding the Hierarchy

You hire the general contractor.

The general contractor hires subcontractors (electrician, plumber, etc.).

You pay the general contractor. The GC pays the subs.

The GC is responsible for the overall project. If something goes wrong, you address it with the GC, not directly with the sub.

Cost of Using a GC

A general contractor typically takes 10-20% of project costs as their profit/overhead. This covers their labor, coordination, supervision, and profit.

This cost is worth it if it saves you time and stress. If the GC prevents delays, manages quality, and keeps you informed, they’ve earned their fee.

If the GC is disorganized or unresponsive, their cost is wasted.

The Reality

A good general contractor is invaluable for complex projects. They coordinate trades, manage the schedule, and ensure quality.

A poor general contractor is worse than no GC. Hire carefully. Reference checking matters.

For small, simple projects, you might not need a GC. For complex work, they’re essential.

© The Whole Home Guide