What is General Contracting?
General contractors manage and hire subcontractors while acting as the primary contact with construction clients. They also hire specialists to attend to plumbing, heating and air conditioning, painting or roofing aspects of a project. Read this article for more information on what general contracting is and the kind of work involved in this profession.
Definition of General Contracting
<p>General contracting is the term used to describe the supervisory work performed by a general contractor (GC). This person is responsible for managing and building a project designed by someone else. The GC oversees important renovation and building projects, and she or he manages and hires subcontractors and other labor in construction projects. The GC acts as the supervisor of the entire project and ensures that the subcontractors are doing their job and being paid for it correctly and in a timely manner. The general contractor is also the main person in contact with the clients.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$98,890 (<i>for construction managers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 8% growth (<i>for construction managers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Required Education</td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-the-job Training</td><td> Usually under the guidance of an experienced manager, and may last from a few months to a few years</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---GeneralContractingInTheConstructionIndustry">General Contracting in the Construction Industry</h3>
<p>General contractors supervise part or all of numerous construction projects, such as commercial, industrial and residential buildings. If a construction project requires a specialty, such as plumbing, heating and air conditioning, painting or roofing, then they hire subcontractors to do that particular job.
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<h3 id="section---LicensingRequirementsInGeneralContracting">Licensing Requirements in General Contracting</h3>
<p>Some states require general contractors to be licensed in order to work on projects. Each state has different requirements. General contractors with a license improve their skills with current knowledge in business methods, regulation requirements and building maintenance. Licensed general contractors can be more appealing to customers because they demonstrate credibility and training.</p>