General Contractors Lexington KY oversee all aspects of construction projects. They manage and coordinate daily operations on the construction site, ensuring all needed materials are delivered to the project site at the correct times and that all work is completed efficiently within the project’s budget.
They also act as the liaison between project owners, designers, and specialty contractors. They uphold industry standards and abide by building regulations.
Project management in construction projects is an incredibly broad role that takes many forms depending on the size of the project and each company’s organizational structure. However, in most cases a project manager (PM) will be tasked with the overall leadership and management of key project activities from start to finish. This includes ensuring the project remains on schedule, within budget, and adheres to set standards. PMs are also responsible for coordinating with all stakeholders, which could include other project managers, CMs or GCs.
The planning phase is a critical step in the process, and one that can be highly time-consuming as well as a significant undertaking. The planning stage begins before any proposals are sent, contracts signed, or physical work has started. This means it is important for a builder to take the time to meet with the client and design team to get a clear idea of what their needs are.
Once the planning has been done, it’s time to start the bidding process. The general contractor will review the design and documentation, carry out costing and reach out to subcontractors for their bids on specific jobs. Once all the bids have been received, the project owner will select a general contractor for the job. The selection may be based on a number of factors including cost, project history with the contractor, or even qualifications.
During the construction phase, the PM and CMs oversee all on-site operations so everything runs smoothly. They’re the ones who ensure that all jobs are completed according to plans and specifications, and that the project is on schedule and within budget. They’re also the ones who manage change orders and monitor quality standards.
While the responsibilities of PMs, CMs and GCs all differ slightly, they all share a few common roles in terms of risk management. Whether it’s a PM identifying potential risks during the planning phase, a CM ensuring safety protocols are followed on-site, or a GC managing day-to-day construction expenses, risk management is a crucial aspect of all three roles.
Permit Applications
A GC will file for any required building or construction permits, as well as other necessary permits like demolitions, signs, and commercial HVAC. This can be done online in eCLIPSE or at the Permit Center. A GC may choose to hire subcontractors to perform the work, or they can take on all the labor themselves. However, a GC must associate their registration, license and insurance policies to the permit application so that L&I can verify their eligibility for a project.
This is an important step for any home improvement project as the GC acts as a middleman and is responsible for ensuring that all permits are in place before beginning any construction. This also ensures that the build complies with all local regulations.
GCs will coordinate with the architect on the project to make sure that the build meets or exceeds the client’s specifications. They are also responsible for collaborating with the subcontractors and other specialty contractors to schedule their work accordingly. This is important because it helps the project stay on track and reduces rework.
They can provide suggestions or solutions to any issues that may arise during the construction process and help to resolve them. They are also responsible for actively upholding safety standards and ensuring that all workers follow proper protocols at all times. This is especially crucial in new constructions, where unknown terrain and evolving project phases require heightened safety vigilance.
The GC will also make sure that all equipment, materials, and products are installed correctly. This is important to maintain the manufacturer’s warranties or guarantees on your construction supplies and to comply with city specs and codes. A GC will also protect existing property with drop cloths and clean up after they’ve finished their work.
A GC will also make sure that any negotiated contracts between themselves and the client are in place before starting any work. This is in accordance with the law and prevents any possible litigation from arising during or after a project is completed. This is also an important step for any renovation, as it ensures that all costs are transparent and there is no chance of hidden fees or surprises down the road.
Site Setup
The physical build of a unique building project is a complex undertaking that requires a team of specialists. Think of them as the captains of the ship who oversee all aspects of bringing your construction project to life. These experts handle everything from land clearing and grading to installing plumbing and wiring.
General contractors also manage the jobsite and all the logistics involved. For example, they make sure the site is prepared for the construction process by obtaining all necessary permits and providing access to the correct materials. They are also responsible for ensuring that all work adheres to plans and specifications, addressing any problems during construction, and ensuring compliance with local building codes.
In addition, GCs are often the key linchpin for communication between property owners, designers, and specialty contractors (also called subcontractors). They work on projects under a variety of contract delivery models including lump sum, cost-plus, or guaranteed maximum price (GMP). In all these cases, GCs assume most of the risk of the construction phase and are incentivized to stay within budget.
Construction is a heavily regulated industry. GCs act as the compliance lead for the project and ensure all proper documentation is in place, inspections pass, and the work meets local building codes. Their extensive experience reduces liability risks and allows the project to move forward as planned.
During the design phase, a GC can spot potential issues that may turn into significant costs during construction. This prevents a lot of frustration down the road and saves time, money, and resources by identifying affordable tweaks that still achieve the design goals.
GCs monitor progress daily and troubleshoot any issues that arise, working with subcontractors to resolve them quickly. They also use technology to automate processes, improve transparency, and increase accountability. For instance, when constructing an 85,000-square foot Montessori school, GC firm Miller-Davis used Pype AutoSpecs to automatically generate submittal logs for each trade, cutting weeks-long processes down to two days. This improved communication and helped the project achieve faster completion times. In addition, GC firms can track progress using drones, which provide consistent visual documentation.
Subcontractor Management
Throughout the project life cycle, managing subcontractors is a significant responsibility that significantly impacts the overall success of a construction project. For this reason, GCs must be able to effectively align the efforts of the various tradespeople on site. To do this, GCs must prioritize collaboration, transparency and open communication with all stakeholders—including subcontractors.
Subcontractors are the trades-people who handle the specialized tasks, like electrical work and plumbing systems, that bring the building to life. They typically function as independent businesses and are hired for a specific project on the basis of their skills, expertise, and capacity to meet the project goals. As such, they are often considered key partners in the successful completion of a project and require equal collaboration and respect from all parties.
Effective subcontractor management begins with a thorough prequalification and contract negotiation process that identifies clear expectations, project milestones, deliverables and smart payment terms. This helps to minimize misunderstandings and disputes that can potentially derail a project.
In addition to identifying qualified subcontractors, a well-established vetting process also helps to reduce legal risk and save time. This includes calling references, requesting past project portfolios, checking licensing, business credit reports and services that verify insurance coverage.
Ultimately, a general contractor serves as the primary point of contact for the client and communicates project progress, challenges, budgetary concerns and more to help ensure a smooth and seamless build. They manage and oversee the subcontractor workforce and provide oversight of all construction activities, ensuring that they are performed properly, on time and within budget.
In the event that a problem arises, general contractors are trained to quickly and efficiently resolve issues, minimizing the impact on schedule and budget. They are also adept at utilizing problem-solving techniques to find alternative solutions for situations that may not have been anticipated in the design phase. In fact, it’s common for general contractors to be called in to troubleshoot construction issues and provide recommendations for corrective actions. This can range from relocating equipment to creating temporary structures to address weather conditions, implementing cost savings strategies, and making other informed decisions to get the job done right the first time.