Why you might NOT want to be your own GC.
Are you doing housing reconstruction yourself or hiring a mix of contractors? There are professional General Contractors (GCs) to use that can save you a lot of time and frankly, unnecessary suffering.
I recently did my own closet makeover… but in my opinion, that’s about as far as it should go in terms of DIY design and “general self-contracting” in a home.
It’s always a good idea to have a designer look at your project, but you’ll still want a GC, in my opinion. To keep things simple, let a dedicated contracting professional lead the way.
Here are my top 10 reasons not to be your own general contractor:
- You need to know how to make sure the work is up to code, done right, and safe for all involved.
- You need to know which professionals to use.
- You’ll fare better if the partners working on the project have been thoroughly vetted by the GC and/or have worked with the GC before.
- Electrical work is not a DIY area today, and trying to do it yourself could actually pose a fire hazard.
- Plumbing is not a DIY area today, either, as it requires highly special knowledge and tools.
- If you have design related questions, your contractor or subcontractor won’t have an answer, they’re looking to you or the GC for instruction.
- The contractors are there to do the work; they don’t necessarily have a design eye.
- Building decisions can quickly get overwhelming — think especially about the myriad cabinetry and hardware details as well as the overall layout.
- Professional designers work well alongside professional GCs.
- General contractors take care of the licenses and permits for you!
That last one is worth its weight in paperwork, for sure.
Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best for your next housing rehab project.
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