Written by Paul Mc
The US construction market is expected to reach $3.39 trillion by 2034, growing at the CAGR of 4.9% from 2026 to 2034. At the heart of this growth is the general contractor (GC).
But what does a general contractor do?
In the construction industry, a general contractor is responsible for overseeing a construction project. The professional can be an individual or a company. But in each case, they are the one who manages the day-to-day operations at the job site.
Here’s more to know about their role and how hiring local general contractors can help your project.
As a construction professional, a general contractor is responsible for providing all the essential services required to deliver a project successfully.
According to a report, homeowners spend an average of $9,000 annually on bigger home improvement expenses. And to manage their projects efficiently, they need a general contractor on board. These professionals perform the essential tasks as agreed upon with the project owner through a construction contract. A general contractor should follow all the specifications of the project.
Here are their key responsibilities.
A general contractor is responsible for making sure that a contract is legal and viable.
New home construction costs $322,836 on average. A contractor has to make sure to estimate the total cost of the project correctly and deliver a bid to the owner.
Once they secure the contract, a general contractor pulls all necessary building permits. This helps them ensure that the planned project complies with local laws and building codes.
Once a project starts, a general contractor gets into their management role. They ensure the coordination of the subcontractors, so they work according to the schedule.
A lack of scheduling often leads to trade stacking. This results in having too many workers in one area, which causes delays and safety hazards.
During the construction phase, a general contractor is also responsible for vetting every subcontractor. They make sure that the hired subcontractors are properly licensed and carry active insurance.
This simple task saves the property owner from lawsuits if a worker is injured on their property.
At the job, the general contractor has the duty to order materials and equipment. Labor and material costs typically account for 20% to 40% of total project costs.
To take care of these expenditures, a GC has to ensure the timing of deliveries of materials so that supplies arrive exactly when required. This management helps prevent theft or weather damage of materials that might be sitting at the site for too long.
Finally, a general contractor has to ensure that the job site is safe. Their job description includes the legal enforcement of OSHA standards to prevent all sorts of accidents.
The general contractor’s work continues even after the construction ends.
A general contractor visits the site with the project owner for inspection of work.
They identify any minor defects or uncompleted tasks. These issues are then communicated to workers before the final payment is made.
The professional also schedules the final inspections with local building officials. They check whether the work done complies with the code or not.
Finally, the general contractor receives payment confirmations from subcontractors. They then submit the final invoice to the owner.
Many people confuse a general contractor with a project manager. However, there are clear differences in the work they do.
| Type of Differences | Project Manager | General Contractor |
| Responsibilities | Deal with everything about the project | Mainly looks into the construction part |
| Report to | Broad authority | Project manager or owner |
| Location | On-site and off-site | Mainly on-site |
| Qualification | No license required | License required |
| Cost to hire | $$ | $$$ |
You can hire general contractors online or through word of mouth. You can read through Google reviews to shortlist top contractors that may suit your requirements. Plus, you can ask your neighbors who may have just remodeled their house to get you in touch with a contractor.
When hiring a general contractor, consider a few things.
To get the right quotes, communicate your requirements properly. For instance, share a detailed vision you have of the project and your budget. You must also be clear about your expectations of your contractor. These details will help a general contractor craft a good outline and quote for the project that may align well with your scope.
Reach out to different local general contractors before finalizing the best one. You should get at least three different quotes before moving forward with your decision. Make sure that the quotes align with the quality of work offered by the contractor.
Finalize the contractors based on their past experiences, work rates, and the quality offered. You should also read their performance reviews online to make a good decision.
You shouldn’t shy away from asking for several references and their qualification details from your contractors. Reputable general contractors will always welcome this request. References always help you connect with people who may have worked with the contractors.
Besides, details about their qualifications allow you to check their background and analyze whether the individual is experienced enough for the job.
Unlike many other states, Texas does not have a central licensing board for general contractors. However, contractors usually must register with the building department of the city where they are working. They should do these to pull permits.
Red Flag: If a contractor asks you to pull the “Homeowner’s Permit,” it’s often a sign they aren’t registered or are trying to avoid an inspection. Never pull the permit yourself.
There are also some voluntary certifications that many high-end general contractors pursue. You may see their portfolios with credentials from:
Pro Tip: Always ask your GC for the license numbers of their plumbing and electrical subs. You can verify these in seconds on the state websites.
Before hiring a local general contractor, ask the following questions.
The answers to these questions will help you make a wise decision when choosing a general contractor.
Are you looking for a general contractor for your next project? If yes, use the Expert on Deck platform to hire the right professional today!
With years of experience and excellent portfolios, these contractors help make your construction projects successful.
A general contractor (GC) serves as the project’s central hub, responsible for hiring skilled labor, sourcing quality materials, and maintaining a strict construction schedule. They act as the primary point of contact for the client, overseeing daily operations to ensure the build aligns with the architectural blueprints and safety standards.
GCs manage subcontractors by coordinating their arrival times to prevent overlapping work and ensuring each specialist—like electricians or plumbers—completes their tasks to code. They handle the vetting process, contract negotiations, and quality control inspections, shielding the homeowner from the logistical complexities of managing multiple trades.
The general contractor enters into the primary agreement with the owner and oversees the entire project from start to finish. In contrast, a subcontractor is a specialist hired by the GC to perform a specific task, such as roofing or flooring, and typically reports only to the GC rather than the homeowner.
Yes, a professional GC is responsible for identifying which local building permits are required and submitting the necessary documentation to the city or county. They also schedule and attend required inspections at various project milestones to ensure the structure meets all local building codes and legal requirements.
A GC prevents budget overruns by providing detailed cost estimates upfront and using established vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing on materials. They actively manage “change orders” and monitor labor hours, adjusting the workflow as needed to absorb unexpected site conditions without compromising the project’s financial plan.
