Planning a house project? If you are, a lot of questions are probably running through your mind. One of the most common questions people ask is who should I hire for my house project? The answer depends on a number of factors.No two construction projects are the same. Each has unique requirements and challenges. One of the best ways to address challenges and complete your construction project successfully is to make sure that you have the right type of contractor on board. Knowing each type of contractor, unique and different is important so you hire the correct professional.

When deciding on a general contractor vs building contractor vs renovation company, the differences are important to note. General contractors are professionals who manage construction projects and are required to adhere to residential building codes and regulations. Renovation companies take on the task of updating existing homes through renovation or remodeling. Custom home builders construct new homes and are responsible for every aspect of the project.

In this article, we’ll address key questions like: what is a general contractor and what do contractors do? We’ll also discuss the roles different construction professionals have, the difference between contractor vs. builder, how to go about hiring the appropriate contractor, and what you should factor in your decision.

Understanding the Different Roles

General contractor

So what does a general contractor do? In construction, general contractors are professionals who are responsible for overseeing the entire construction project from beginning to end. They make sure that the construction site is safe at all times and that all of the work being done is in compliance with building regulations and codes. General contractors must make sure that projects are completed on time and following the specifications.

General contractors are essential for both commercial and residential projects and must be able to coordinate various aspects of the project, including working with subcontractor schedules, and ensuring that every stage of the project is handled well.Some people confuse construction manager vs general contractor. The difference between these two is that construction managers coordinate and manage risks while general contractors are more involved in the execution of the project.

Renovation Company

Renovation companies handle structural or cosmetic updates to existing buildings. This can be done as a renovation project or a remodeling project. Renovators specialize in repairing spaces for functional and/or aesthetic reasons. Remodeling involves creating structural alterations to a building to improve its integrity or change the layout of the space.

These are generally larger projects that are more complex than renovations. Renovations, on the other hand, make updates to the home that do not change the  structural or layout of the space. A renovation company will help you take on this project, determine what type of building permits are needed, and will see the project to completion.

Custom Home Builders

Custom home builders specialize in designing and building homes that are tailored to suite the needs and preferences of the client. Everything about the house is designed to order. This is ideal for people who have purchased land and want to build their home from the ground up and want to have a say in every aspect of the home’s design.  Custom home building is a very hands-on construction project and the builder is involved in every phase. The builder and the client must talk through every phase of the project because there are many decisions to be made.

Many homeowners who have gone this route say that the final result is very rewarding. One of the keys to successful custom home building is partnering with an experienced builder who can help you with anything related to the project, including lot preparation, permits, etc. Depending on the builder, you may have to hire your own architect and contractors. However, when you hire a custom home builder, like NICKS Developments, we will handle all of those details for you.

When to Hire a General Contractor

Knowing what is the role of a general contractor can help you determine if you need one. The role of a general contractor for construction project is to plan out the project and solve any challenges that come up. They play a critical role and can be the difference between a well-executed project and one that flops. Whether you are planning to build a home or remodel or renovate an existing one, having a general contractor is a good idea.

Hiring a good general contractor who knows what the building codes and regulations are in your region. They should also be well-connected and know how to source building materials and hire subcontractors whom they have worked with in the past and trust.

Knowing whether to hire a general contractor can be tough. If you are conducting renovations, you may be wondering if you need a general contractor. We recommend asking yourself a few questions to determine whether you need one for your project. Ask yourself how long the project will take to complete and its scope. If it will take several weeks to accomplish and has some complex aspects to it, hiring a general contractor will help move the project along nicely and ensure it is completed properly.

Will you need different subcontractors? If the answer is yes, then it is best to hire a general contractor. A renovation or remodel that involves updating a kitchen or bathroom may require changes to the electrical and plumbing aspects of the room. You will need the services of a plumber, electrician, and possibly other tradespeople. Having to hire these professionals on your own can be stressful. A general contractor can take care of this aspect for you.

Choosing a Renovation Company

If you plan to make updates that change the layout of an area in your home or conduct cosmetic updates to enhance your home’s appeal, hiring a renovation company to help you with the project is a good idea. But knowing you need a reputable renovator and finding one or two different things. There are many renovation companies out there claiming to be the best in the business, so discernment is important in determining who is the best fit for your project.

The first thing to remember is that the renovator you choose must be qualified. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can lead to subpar work and many headaches and mistakes that may be costly to repair. One of the best ways to find a professional contractor is through word of mouth. Ask your friends and neighbors whom they have worked with and would recommend for the job. Find out what about this particular contractor made it a pleasant and worthwhile experience for them and would they hire them again.

Commercial Renovations by Nicks Developments Team

Once you have a list of potential contractors, you can narrow down your list by researching the credentials of each one. This may mean looking at their website and seeing if they have a portfolio of projects completed you can browse through to see what they are capable of doing. Look into whether the contractor is licensed and insured. Also find out whether they have a particular design specialty and the ability to customize renovations to your specifications.

The next thing you want to do is interview potential contractors and see how you feel in a face-to-face meeting. Come up with a list of questions that you will ask them that are important to you and get a sense of how they work and their communication style. A good contractor will also have many questions to ask you.

Opting for a Custom Home Builder

Now let’s talk about a contractor vs builder. A custom home builder is a great choice if you have purchased land and plan to build a home on it. This type of professional will be able to help you plan for the project and customize your home based on your specifications.

One of the great things about hiring a custom home builder is that they are experienced in home building and know exactly what steps must be taken to bring your project to life. You will be consulted on every decision concerning the project. If you have the time and desire to be involved in every decision, hiring a custom home builder may be right for you.

Building a new home from scratch is a huge project but there are many benefits of doing this. When you hire a custom home builder, you know that your house will be brand new and you won’t have to worry about conducting updates or construction repairs for a long time. Most custom home builders offer lengthy warranties that assure you of this.

Another benefit of custom home building is that your home will be tailored to the specific needs of your household. The satisfaction of knowing that your home was designed specifically for you and that you had a large role to play in the outcome is priceless. While there are a lot of different phases and aspects to consider in custom home building, an experienced custom home builder would be able to leverage their relationships to get material resources and contractors for the project.

Making the Right Decision for Your Project

Now that you know the difference between general contractor vs building contractor vs renovation contractor, the best way to determine which contractor to hire is to look at your project and your needs. Assess your goals for the project and what you want the process to look like. If you want to stay in the home that you currently live in and would just like some updates here and there, hiring a renovation company to conduct the renovation or remodeling is the best way to go.

Building contractor vs general contractor? If you’re planning to do a major overhaul of your home, hiring a general contractor to oversee the construction process from beginning to end is best. He or she will handle all the necessary steps along the way, bring in other professionals, and manage the execution of the entire process. If you want to build a home that is customized to your needs and preferences, a homebuilder is the professional you need for the job.

home design
Designer working on new custom home

Another thing to consider in determining who is the best contractor for you is your budget. Building a custom home will require substantial financial resources for lot preparation, materials, administrative work, and labour. In general, the larger your project is the more it will cost due to increased labour and materials needed to complete the project on time. When hiring the best contractor for the job, pay attention to the credentials of the potential contractor to make sure that they are licensed, insured, and have a good reputation. Research the company and review past projects that they have done to see whether they have proven to be a good option.

Also, check out client reviews to see if past clients were satisfied with their work, and what some of the company’s strengths and expertise is. Some contractors who may look good on paper, but clients they have worked for may not have the best things to say about them. Take this into consideration, and make sure you are pretty confident in the contractor’s reputation and ability to show up and do good work before hiring them.

Who Should You Hire for Your Next Project?

Making changes to your home can be an exciting time. You get to explore different design ideas and decide how you can reinvent the space or build a new one altogether. As exciting as this can be, it’s important to make sure that you hire the right professionals for the job.

So, now that you can answer the questions: what is a general contractor responsible for, what’s the difference between contractor vs builder, and what do contractors do when it comes to house renovations, it’s time to hire your construction professional.

The success of your project will depend on the contractors you hire. Entrusting professionals with such an enormous task means that you need to be certain that they are the right person for the job. By understanding the roles of a general contractor vs building contractor vs renovation company you can make an informed decision on who to hire for your construction project.

Contact us for more tips on choosing the right construction professional for your home project.

Related Article: Best Tips for Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor