Finding the right general contractor for your project can be challenging. While being fully licensed with a high level of experience and having dozens of glowing reviews online are important checkboxes, you also want to ensure that the contractor is someone you get along with.
Good contractors are adaptable, effective, and knowledgeable. They are experts in their field, but they know when to call upon the expertise of others as well.
Excellent Communication Skills
A good general contractor will keep communication lines open throughout the project. They will answer your questions promptly, provide regular progress reports, and be able to address any concerns as they arise. This is important, as poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and delays that could affect your project timeline and result in a less-than-satisfactory construction experience.
A contractor with excellent communication skills can communicate effectively with the various people working on your project, including the architect, engineers, electricians, plumbers, and equipment operators. They should also be able to manage the schedule, budget, and delivery of materials and supplies.
A skilled GC will have years of practical experience that they can draw upon to make sure your project runs as smoothly as possible. You can research potential contractors by asking friends, family members, and neighbors for recommendations and using online resources.
Strong Leadership Skills
A general contractor is one of many people on a construction worksite of commercial buildings. They must manage the various professionals involved in your renovation project, from electricians and plumbers to drywall installers and equipment operators. Strong leadership skills are necessary to handle these individuals and keep the project moving forward without delays or budget blowouts.
This is especially important when working on a commercial project. Commercial contractors must navigate various regulations, including building permits, safety planning, and ADA compliance. An experienced commercial contractor can quickly adapt to these requirements and ensure the project meets all required standards. They’re also able to provide the best value for their clients. A good contractor can negotiate the lowest prices while maintaining quality workmanship and materials.
Knowledgeable About the Industry
A quality general contractor should have extensive knowledge of the industry. They must know how to calculate estimates and contracts and manage project teams, subcontractors, and homeowners while navigating every job’s inherent risks.
In addition, a quality general contractor will have years of experience. Often, they begin their career as a tradesperson in carpentry or another field and work their way up to become a general contractor. They will also have passed a licensing exam and be familiar with local building codes.
Flexibility
Renovating a building is a major undertaking, and the contractor you choose will play a significant role in your success. You should search for contractors with a strong reputation, seek recommendations from trusted friends and neighbors, and search digital marketplaces.
Flexibility is a critical quality for a general contractor to have. This is because the construction process often has unexpected challenges that arise. Having flexibility allows them to shift deadlines and deliverables accordingly.
Having flexibility in general contracting also helps to adjust the work process to fit the needs of each project. This is especially important when building high-rises, where space limitations and time constraints can cause problems. A flexible GC will be able to adapt to these challenges quickly.
Integrity
A great contractor will have a strong sense of integrity and ensure that all aspects of your project are handled properly. They’ll be honest about what can be achieved and stick to a budget. They’ll also scan their work with a fine tooth comb and be willing to address any shoddy workmanship head-on.
On the other hand, some characteristics undermine integrity. These include arrogance, dogmatism, fanaticism, monomania, preciousness, and sanctimoniousness.
One view of integrity addresses these issues by arguing that it is a formal constraint on a person’s moral point of view rather than a substantive requirement that they be morally good. This approach is called the ‘self-constitution view.’ A range of philosophers still contests it, but it promises to offer some explanations of how we might explain what integrity is.
