A general commercial contractor (CGC) provides construction services on the non-residential side of the residential building industry.
Commercial General Contractors
A CGC performs construction work on nearly all types of structures other than homes and apartments. They provide their services to businesses and government agencies across all industries, including retail, healthcare, education, science & technology, manufacturing, and offices. These contractors are skilled at working with all structures, from small job sites to large cities.
Their experience ranges from essential maintenance work up to high-rise buildings. Building codes are different across the United States and many counties, city governments have their standards. The CGC is experienced at working within these standards. These contractors are also involved in planning projects from the beginning stages of conception to completion. Many work with architects to design new buildings or businesses, while others use what exists or renovate it for a modern function.
What does a commercial general contractor do?
A CGC has all the responsibilities that come with any construction company, but they also have some additional duties because of their work type. For instance, there might be little thought into protecting existing infrastructure when performing maintenance work since it probably doesn’t exist yet for this simple job site. However, if an electrical grid or sewer lines are already in the ground, a CGC has to take safety and precaution when performing work in this space. A CGC must also establish relationships with many different subcontractors.
These subcontractors can be responsible for any number of elements that contribute to the building process, such as masonry, site plans, steel structures, and mechanical systems. Some of these traditional trades will be separate companies while others will not. They may work within the company itself or even own their own construction business and sell services to other general contractors.
Services
A commercial general contractor is anyone who provides construction services on businesses and non-residential buildings like offices and warehouses. This includes anything from hotels and banks to retail spaces and government buildings. Some people specialize in minor maintenance.
Clients hire general commercial contractors (CGCs) to manage various building projects, including small renovations or large-scale developments. Some of the tasks that commercial general contractors oversee include hiring subcontractors and helping their clients stay within a budget. A commercial general contractor may also manage a construction site and ensure that any safety regulations are followed.
Duties
Commercial general contractors have some duties to complete the project successfully. One of the most significant responsibilities is finding subcontractors who have experience in specific fields to fulfill their job requirements. This includes finding architects, engineers, electricians, plumbers, and others who might be needed for specialized work on the property. In addition to this task, they also find and hire the employees to work under them, such as site managers and supervisors.
Subcontractors
One of the most significant responsibilities that general commercial contractors have is working with subcontractors. Commercial general contractors must manage all communications between themselves and subcontractors to make sure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Safety regulations
Safety regulations are significant when it comes to construction sites. As a result, they must ensure a safe working environment for both their employees and subcontracting employees following government regulations. This includes ensuring that any equipment needed is available and in good condition, having proper safety training sessions for new hires, etc.
Understanding clients
Commercial general contractors must understand what their clients want and need at all times. They are expected to act as the client and subcontractors who may not know what they communicate. This means that it is essential for them to have good communication skills.
Budgeting
One of the largest tasks that commercial general contractors complete are budgeting. This process building codes: Commercial general contractors must have a thorough understanding of all local building codes and regulations that may apply to the property they are working on. This is to help ensure that those projects are completed according to code, as well as preventing possible fines from municipal authorities.
Read More: Who is Lionel Richie? How much is Lionel Richie worth, Early life, Career, and more?
Construction planning
One of the most critical tasks that general commercial contractors complete is construction planning. They must understand and anticipate what will need to be done to complete a project according to specifications and within time constraints. They must have a good knowledge of building codes and how they can be applied to projects being worked on. They also need to know how long it will take for each task to be completed so that there aren’t any delays or last moment problems.
Clients relationship
The client relationship is an essential part of the work that general commercial contractors do. Because they need to know what their client wants for them to be able to complete the job. The client needs to have at a minimum an idea of the timeline, the budget, and what they want to be included in their project so that their general commercial contractor can accurately plan it out.
Without this information, there could be problems with meeting deadlines or exceeding budget, resulting in unhappy clients who might not come back or refer others.
Managing subcontractors
Commercial general contractors must manage their subcontractors as well as communicate with them. In addition, they should know how long it takes for each type of task to be completed so that there aren’t any delays in finishing the project. Subcontractors can come from a variety of sources, including online listings or referrals from other subcontracts, maintaining positive relationships will ensure a good flow of work and information between the contractor and subcontractors.
In North Carolina, what may a general contractor do?
General contractors are defined by North Carolina law as individuals, businesses, or organizations who bid on, contract for, or carry out construction projects involving any building, roadway, public utility, grading, or other improvement or structure that costs $30,000 or more.
Advantages
- Expertise and Experience: Commercial general contractors have the knowledge and experience necessary to manage construction projects efficiently. They are equipped with the skills to navigate the construction process, troubleshoot any issues that may arise, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
- Single Point of Contact: By hiring a commercial general contractor, the owner only has to deal with one point of contact, which streamlines communication and reduces the likelihood of miscommunication between parties involved in the project.
- Better Pricing: General contractors have established relationships with vendors and subcontractors, which can lead to cost savings for the owner.
- Liability Coverage: Commercial general contractors typically have insurance coverage to protect the owner in case of an accident or other unforeseen circumstances.
Disadvantages
- Cost: Hiring a commercial general contractor can be expensive. They charge a fee for their services, typically a percentage of the total project cost.
- Loss of Control: When hiring a commercial general contractor, the owner relinquishes some control over the project. The contractor is responsible for making all decisions related to the project which may not align with the owner’s vision.
- Limited Flexibility: Commercial general contractors typically follow a set process for managing construction projects. This may not be conducive to the owner’s unique needs or preferences.
- Quality of Work: While commercial general contractors have experience managing construction projects, there is no guarantee that the quality of work will meet the owner’s expectations.
