Three years ago my wife and I found out that we were going to have a new addition to our ever-growing family and that we were expecting child number 4. This news, whilst of course amazing, forced us both into making a decision about our living arrangements. Our family home only just squeezed the 5 of us in, let alone with another on the way. We were forced therefore to decide between upgrading our existing home, or moving altogether and after much thought, we decided that an extension was the way forward.
We learned a lot during the construction process and our inexperience showed on more than one occasion. Thankfully however we had hired one of the true renovation experts in a general contractor and it proved to be the shrewdest move that we have ever made. If you are undertaking a construction project, here is why hiring a general contractor is so important.
Point Person
Many people wonder what the point is in a general contractor when it is the sub-contractors that do all of the work. One of the biggest benefits that I found however, was having one person that I could speak to about the entire project. Because a general contractor understands all aspects of construction and home care, they act as the point person for the plumbers, the electricians, the workmen and the gas workers, as well as the logistical side of the work. Having just one person to speak to made my life so much easier when the work was being undertaken.
Master of All Trades
As aforementioned, a general contractor is highly skilled in many of the disciplines of construction. For that reason they can not only ensure that you are up to date on everything that is going on, they can also carefully among each of the sub-contractors and make sure that they are doing things properly. This is why you need to ensure that you hire the best general contractor that you can, this will give you confidence that the work will be done to the highest of standards.
Tweaks and Changes
I spoke with a colleague of mine before the extension who expressed his frustration at having to speak to so many contractors when he wanted to make tweaks and changes to the job during his house extension. Thankfully I did not have the same problem because I took the decision to hire a general contractor. I was able to make additions and alterations to the house extension whilst it was still taking place, without having to speak to a wide range of people. Not only did this ensure that ‘I could have the extension that I wanted, it also meant that I did not have to speak to a number of people, repeating the same conversation over and over again.
I could not recommend a general contractor any more if you are having some construction work carried out, it will save you time, effort, frustration and could even save you money in the long run.
