General contractors, also known as construction managers and construction project managers, oversee building projects from inception through completion. Approximately 66 percent of U.S. general contractors were self-employed in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most had temporary offices at the job sites, and some traveled frequently. Although job descriptions vary by job, employer and client, certain tasks are typical.
Planning
General contractors plan all phases of a construction project. They must estimate the costs of materials and staffing; the expense involved in securing permits; and the cost for equipment that must be leased or purchased. Based on their estimates, contractors prepare a budget. They must also prepare a timetable that establishes milestones for phases of the project to ensure completion dates are met.
Interacting with Others
A number of professionals are often involved in a construction project. A general contractor might need to interact with the architect who designed the project or the engineer who developed the mechanical aspects of the project. The contractor might also need to work with other professional construction specialists or sub-contractors, such as landscape architects, master electricians or demolition engineers. Jobs typically involve direct contact with the client to keep him advised on progress and issues that might arise. General contractors often handle hiring and might be responsible for instructing new workers on the specifics of the job.
Ensuring Compliance
On any construction project, there are a number of laws and regulations that a general contractor must follow. Local building ordinances might ban certain materials, for example, such as wood shingles. Contractors must follow applicable labor laws, including organized union contracts under which his employees work. The contractor must know the safety regulations for various jobs and equipment operators and ensure that employees comply.
Responding to Emergencies
General contractors must be prepared to handle any type of emergency that might arise. A worker might be injured on the job or a critical piece of equipment may break. A delivery of materials may fail to arrive, and inclement weather might delay progress. The general contractor is responsible for seeing that all of these situations are correctly handled, whether they involve securing medical attention for an injured worker, locating backup equipment or expediting a supply order. When progress is delayed, the contractor must seek ways to get the project back on track while staying on budget
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Planning
General contractors plan all phases of a construction project. They must estimate the costs of materials and staffing; the expense involved in securing permits; and the cost for equipment that must be leased or purchased. Based on their estimates, contractors prepare a budget. They must also prepare a timetable that establishes milestones for phases of the project to ensure completion dates are met.
Interacting with Others
A number of professionals are often involved in a construction project. A general contractor might need to interact with the architect who designed the project or the engineer who developed the mechanical aspects of the project. The contractor might also need to work with other professional construction specialists or sub-contractors, such as landscape architects, master electricians or demolition engineers. Jobs typically involve direct contact with the client to keep him advised on progress and issues that might arise. General contractors often handle hiring and might be responsible for instructing new workers on the specifics of the job.
Ensuring Compliance
On any construction project, there are a number of laws and regulations that a general contractor must follow. Local building ordinances might ban certain materials, for example, such as wood shingles. Contractors must follow applicable labor laws, including organized union contracts under which his employees work. The contractor must know the safety regulations for various jobs and equipment operators and ensure that employees comply.
Responding to Emergencies
General contractors must be prepared to handle any type of emergency that might arise. A worker might be injured on the job or a critical piece of equipment may break. A delivery of materials may fail to arrive, and inclement weather might delay progress. The general contractor is responsible for seeing that all of these situations are correctly handled, whether they involve securing medical attention for an injured worker, locating backup equipment or expediting a supply order. When progress is delayed, the contractor must seek ways to get the project back on track while staying on budget
JUST A SAMPLE HERE....
GOCANES
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