What kind of contractors do you need to build a home?
I was wondering what kind of contractors were needed to build a home and in what stages of the home building process they would be needed in
I was wondering what kind of contractors were needed to build a home and in what stages of the home building process they would be needed in
L
You need a Building/Construction Contractor for the entire project. This person will sub jobs out to the correct people; electrician, plumber, etc.
?
You need a qualified Builder, he will then sub contract electricians, plumbers, carpenters, tilers, roofers etc.
Common Sense
Excavation
Foundation
Sewage or Septic/ Well or City Water
Framing
Roofing
Siding
Plumbing
Electrical
Insulation
Sheetrock
Woodwork/Trim/ Interior Doors
Painters
Floors
Light Fixtures
Kitchen and Bath Fixtures
Appliances for Kitchen/Laundry
You can hire a general contractor who uses his own choice of sub contractors. Or, you could act as the general contractor and hire prolfessional LICENCED, BONDED AND INSURED contractors who specialize in their trade (plumber, electrician ... etc)
We hired someone to build our house so it looked finished from the outside (weather tight). We were left with basically a shell and hired independent contractors to insulate, do the plumbing, electrical and sheetrock/taping to come in and finish that part while we did all the painting and flooring, doors, trim wood work and finishing.
Anonymous
Unless you know what you are doing, you hire a 'main' contractor and he engages everyone else. He is responsible for everything and you only have to chase one person and he provides all the access, waste management, welfare facilities and all the other things people forget about, for everyone else involved. Contractor means you need a proper contact. Be explicit about what you want so that he knows exactly what is required. If you leave any room for doubt he will interpret it the way it suits him and you won't have a leg to stand on. Tender the job to at least three builders (and take up references or ask to see other work, you don't want a cowboy) and appoint him when you are ready to roll, making sure you have planning consents and building regs etc in place and there is nothing to hold him up. Once he is on board do not change your mind about anything or it will cost you.
John Alden
1 general contractor and let him worry about the details of who does what when.