General Contractors Boston is a construction professional that oversees the entire project from start to finish. Their responsibilities include developing a construction budget, negotiating with subcontractors, and ensuring safety standards on the job site.
Build trust with your general contractors to foster open communication and cost-effective solutions. They’ll be able to provide insight into the best materials and processes for your specific project.
When building or renovating a structure, it’s important to have a clear plan before breaking ground. Quality general contractors spend time in a phase called preconstruction to clearly lay out goals, figure out potential challenges and develop a risk management plan. This is done well before proposals are sent, contracts signed or construction work begins. Preconstruction also includes estimating costs and developing a project timeline. Using digital tools for planning and documenting can help streamline this process.
A general contractor’s role is to translate blueprints into physical structures, manage day-to-day job site operations and oversee all other contractors involved in the project. A GC is responsible for hiring subcontractors, procuring materials and supplies, and ensuring that the final product meets all safety regulations.
During the project planning stage, the GC works with the architect and engineers to develop final blueprints and designs for the project. Once the GC has finalized the design, they will bring the blueprints into the procurement stage and begin sourcing materials, equipment and services for the project. During this phase, contingencies should be set in place to address supply chain issues and price volatility.
The GC will also create a detailed work breakdown structure for the project and identify the required materials, equipment, labor and finance needed to complete each task. This helps to ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget. A GC can use tools like Gantt charts to create and share a project schedule and keep everyone on track.
A GC may choose to utilize a cost-plus-additional fee contract, where the GC will agree to pay for the actual cost of materials and labor plus an additional fee to cover the GC’s overhead and profit. This type of contract offers greater flexibility but can also lead to project overruns.
The GC will perform the construction work and supervise subcontractors to ensure that all aspects of the project are executed safely, efficiently and according to the client’s vision. They will provide regular progress reports, attend inspections and meet regularly with the Architect, Engineers, Owner and the Project Manager to discuss issues and ensure that changes are implemented promptly.
Contract Negotiation
The contract negotiation process requires the ability to find common ground, but also a firm understanding of your non-negotiables. Whether these include a specific insurance clause or the need to keep your project on schedule, it’s important not to accept terms that significantly disadvantage you. Be willing to walk away if necessary to safeguard your project’s goals, safety standards, and financial integrity.
Construction projects are complex, and GCs deal with all sorts of challenges on a daily basis. They might have to work with a client’s architects to make sure their vision meets building requirements, and they often have to manage scheduling and supply issues. They also handle the red tape that comes with obtaining permits and ensuring the project complies with local laws.
Because of their experience in the industry, GCs know how to build projects that are cost-efficient and compliant with current regulations. They also understand the different materials used in a building, so they can make informed decisions to help clients save money and get the most out of their investment.
General contractors also have relationships with vendors and subcontractors that help them secure discounts on high-quality products and qualified workers. This can help a project stay on budget while reducing delays and maintaining quality standards.
If you’re interested in hiring a general contractor for your next residential or commercial renovation, be sure to research candidates thoroughly. Check out their online reviews, credentials, and professional affiliations to ensure they meet industry standards. Then, interview multiple contractors and ask for references from previous clients to see what their experiences were like working with them. Finally, review their pricing structure to determine if it’s within your budget. If not, be prepared to negotiate the scope of work or find a contractor who’s willing to match your budget. A reputable general contractor should be transparent about their fees and have a strong track record of success in the field. They should also be willing to provide you with a detailed proposal outlining their estimated project costs and timeline.
Subcontractor Management
Many projects require specialized expertise that general contractors and construction managers (GC/CM) do not possess in-house. Subcontractors are brought on to perform these specialized tasks, and their specific skill sets ensure critical components of the project are completed correctly the first time around—avoiding costly rework down the road. However, managing a wide variety of individuals with different skillsets and communication styles can be challenging. Effective subcontractor management strategies include fostering a collaborative culture, promoting transparency, and prioritizing collective problem-solving over assigning blame when issues arise.
As projects progress, balancing a growing number of onsite subcontractors without overwhelming administrative staff can be a challenge. This is especially true if labor shortages are a factor. To maximize productivity, GC/CMs must work with their team members to develop scheduling plans that accommodate everyone’s availability and keep everyone informed of any changes to the plan. This helps avoid conflict and keeps projects on track.
When bringing on new subcontractors, it is crucial to take the time to review their past performance and assess how they will fit with the GC/CM’s operational, quality, and safety values and expectations. Additionally, a thorough prequalification process is vital to ensuring that any potential issues are resolved before they negatively impact a project.
Using subcontractor management software can help streamline these processes by centralizing all of these elements into one platform that allows for a seamless onboarding process. This can be especially helpful when it comes to managing compliance, as the landscape of legal regulations is complex and even the smallest oversight could have devastating consequences. By using a subcontractor management solution, GC/CMs can ensure that all relevant information is readily available and accessible to the entire team.
Streamlined invoice and payment processing is another key feature that a subcontractor management solution can provide. This can reduce the amount of manual work required to process payments, which helps to minimize errors and delays. Additionally, solutions that include automated COI management can help GC/CMs ensure that their subcontractors are up-to-date on all of their compliance requirements by automatically tracking and flagging expirations.
Job Site Management
Whether working on an energy project or building the foundation for an office complex, general contractors have to manage job site management on every construction project. This includes access control, safety compliance, worker training and documentation, project schedules, work order approvals, payroll processing, dispute resolution and more. The goal of good job site management is to keep the project on track and moving forward while minimizing legal risk and cost overruns.
One common issue occurs when a contractor mismanages the general conditions budget by overestimating costs or underestimating administrative workloads. This can lead to budget overruns, delayed payments or even disputes. To avoid these issues, contractors should use a smart planning process backed by construction contract management software to clearly define and accurately estimate both fixed and variable general condition expenses.
When preparing a general conditions estimate, the contractor should analyze the real operational needs of each project. For example, a high-rise urban build will have different staffing requirements than a suburban warehouse and may need more temporary services. The general contractor should also consider contract type, as lump sum or cost-plus arrangements can impact the amount of detail required for estimating.
Contractors should then compare their estimated expenses to the actual costs incurred throughout the project to identify overages. They should be ready to respond quickly to mitigate additional expense, such as adjusting staffing levels or reducing the number of temporary services. This can prevent the need for costly changes later in the project or the need to negotiate with the owner for recovery.
Finally, a general contractor should have a clear plan for managing change orders and ensuring they are properly documented and managed. This can be challenging for some contractors, especially in competitive markets where the pressure to submit low bids makes it tempting to overlook administrative demands.