General Contractor

A licensed construction professional or firm responsible for the overall management and execution of a construction project, including coordinating subcontractors, scheduling work, and ensuring the project is built according to the approved plans.

What is a General Contractor?

A general contractor (GC) is a licensed construction professional or company that assumes primary responsibility for executing a construction project. The GC manages the day-to-day operations of the construction site, hires and coordinates subcontractors, procures materials, maintains the project schedule, ensures quality control, and serves as the primary point of contact between the construction team and the project owner.

GC Responsibilities

The general contractor's responsibilities typically include: overall project management and scheduling, hiring and coordinating subcontractors for specialized trades, material procurement and logistics, quality control and code compliance during construction, site safety management, managing building department inspections, processing submittals and shop drawings, tracking project budget and change orders, and delivering the completed project to the owner.

GC Selection and Contracting

General contractors are selected through competitive bidding, negotiated contracts, or qualification-based selection. Common contract types include lump sum (fixed price), guaranteed maximum price (GMP), cost-plus with a fee, and construction management at-risk. The contract structure significantly affects risk allocation between the owner and contractor.

GC Licensing and Permits

General contractors must be licensed in the states where they work. In many jurisdictions, the GC is the permit holder (the party listed on the building permit) and is responsible for requesting inspections, addressing correction notices, and ensuring that all work is performed in accordance with the approved plans and applicable codes.