General Contractors Tacoma, WA, handles a variety of construction project tasks. They are responsible for coordinating and administrating all project activities and ensuring they meet all the required standards.
They also manage the financial aspect of your project by tracking expenditures and keeping things within the budget. They take care of everything from obtaining the necessary permits to ordering materials.
Project management is a vital part of the construction process. It involves coordinating tasks, ensuring everyone is on the same page, and completing projects on time and within budget. The project manager (PM) oversees all project activities and is responsible for managing the GC, the CM, or the GC’s subcontractors and their teams.
The PM will use a work breakdown structure to define the project’s scope and establish a schedule with milestones. They’ll also identify resources, materials, and services, shaping a procurement strategy that includes evaluating potential subcontractors and suppliers based on quality standards and the overall project goals.
Once the bidding process is complete and the GC has been selected, the preconstruction phase begins. This is when the GC makes final preparations to begin construction, including assessing whether the design is constructible and securing any necessary permits or regulatory approvals. They’ll also conduct a risk assessment to identify and mitigate any issues that might emerge during construction.
During construction, the project managers and GC oversee daily operations, ensuring all work is carried out to plans and specifications. They’ll also monitor progress against the construction schedule and budget, addressing any deviations immediately. They’ll also coordinate with the CM to ensure subcontractors have all the information they need to complete their tasks and that they’re working in tandem to deliver on schedule.
When construction is complete, the project manager will oversee a closing process that involves final inspections and testing of all finished work to make sure it meets quality standards. They’ll also assemble all documentation, including warranty documents and manuals, required for handover to the client. Finally, they’ll review any operational issues that have arisen from construction and make any adjustments to improve future projects. Using a project management tool that can be shared with team members and stakeholders can help manage these processes efficiently and effectively.
Scheduling
GCs are responsible for scheduling subcontractors and specialty tradesmen to perform specific aspects of construction projects. They must make sure that all contractors are available to perform their tasks at the time that they are required on site. This is important because schedule changes can affect material deliveries, transportation issues, crew availability, and more. A good general contractor will create an accurate schedule from the start and ensure that all stakeholders are aware of upcoming deadlines.
Because of their experience in the industry, general contractors know how long it takes to complete a project. They also understand the unforeseen circumstances that may cause delays and will work to resolve these problems. This way, the remodeling project can be completed on time and within budget.
The GC is also responsible for purchasing all materials and equipment needed for the project. They will also arrange for the necessary building permits and city inspections. They have the connections to get high-quality products and skilled workers at a fair price because they have worked with vendors and subcontractors in the past.
While a GC might have their own team of employees that can do some labor on site, they will usually hire specialty contractors to perform the majority of work. This is because many construction projects are subject to union regulations and require specialized labor for certain jobs like plumbing, electrical work, or painting. GCs are familiar with the different methods for hiring specialized subcontractors and will typically use the most cost effective method for each situation.
GCs will also monitor the progress of subcontractors and specialty tradesmen to make sure that they are meeting the required milestones set by their contracts. They will also make sure that any change orders are addressed and resolved as quickly as possible.
In addition to monitoring the progress of construction, GCs will make sure that all parties involved in the project are paid on time. This can be difficult in construction because payment is often contingent on securing lien waivers, fulfilling requirements for each payment, and more. A good GC will streamline these processes and keep open lines of communication to avoid any delays.
Contract Negotiation
In the construction industry, contracts are the foundation for project agreements. Contracts set forth the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the construction process and define the scope of work required to complete the project. Contracts should also include the details of any change management processes that may occur during the course of the project. Successful contractors understand the importance of having a clear understanding of the contract they are negotiating and strive to negotiate terms that reflect their interests and experience.
When a project owner shares that a particular project is ready to be bid, General Contractors will review the project specifications and drawings and submit a quote for the work they are qualified to perform. Their quotes are based on the costs of materials, equipment and staffing needed to complete the job as well as a mark-up to cover company overhead. GC’s may also factor in risk and reward to determine the amount of profit they are willing to take on a particular project.
GC’s often utilize subcontractors to help with the heavy lifting on projects. Subcontractors are entities that specialize in specific trades such as plumbing, carpentry, cement work, painting and flooring. Subcontractors are typically paid for a short duration of time during the build phase of a project, and they are generally required to carry their own insurance. GC’s will negotiate with each subcontractor to ensure they are properly quoted for their work and that the pricing is in line with other similar projects.
It is important that each GC selects subcontractors that are licensed and have a solid track record with other projects. It is also beneficial to work with companies that are a member of the Home Builders Association or specialized associations as they have demonstrated their expertise. Licenses also confirm that the contractor is following guidelines for insurance, taxes and safety. These are all factors in a successful project. In addition, a reputable contractor will have solid references and a track record of completing projects on budget and on time. Lastly, each state has its own laws and regulations that are applicable to contractors. Knowing these laws can provide a distinct advantage during the negotiation process and help GC’s avoid common legal pitfalls that may be encountered on construction projects.
Subcontractor Management
As part of a project team, subcontractors assume a crucial role in executing specialized scopes of work. Their performance ripples through the project’s timelines, quality and overall outcomes. Managing subcontractors requires attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the roles they play in a successful construction project.
The first step in effective subcontractor management is establishing clear expectations. This involves reviewing and negotiating the specific terms of each subcontractor agreement. It’s also a critical time to discuss and reaffirm goals, deadlines, project requirements and responsibilities.
Once contract negotiations have been finalized, the GC and subcontractors are ready to formally begin work on the project. A well-crafted subcontractor agreement establishes the groundwork for a productive relationship, clearly detailing roles and responsibilities, payment terms, mechanisms for dispute resolution and safety measures.
Managing subcontractors is not without its challenges, but it can be made easier with an established communication channel. Keeping subcontractors constantly updated with project developments, changes and expectations fosters responsiveness, enables prompt issue resolution and nurtures a collaborative working relationship.
It’s also vital to maintain open lines of communication with specialty trades on the jobsite. Their feedback can offer invaluable onsite insight and trade-specific perspectives, preventing costly rework or schedule delays. GCs can leverage a project management software suite like Bridgit Bench to create allocations in an industry-standard Gantt chart format and keep everyone on the same page.
As the project progresses, monitoring subcontractors is essential to safeguarding both the GC and the hiring company’s financial interests. Subcontractors’ costs often exceed the budgeted amounts and can lead to cost overruns. Regularly assessing actual costs versus the projected ones identifies these overruns early and enables a timely response to address them.
Effective subcontractor management is a delicate process, one that focuses on fostering relationships and ensuring compliance. Mastering this art elevates projects from a cacophony of frustration to a symphony of success. GCs that excel at subcontractor management know when to push back, when to collaborate and how to handle change orders with finesse. This is an art that’s best learned through experience and a thorough understanding of the complexities of the construction industry.