Types of Contractors For Your Next Home Renovation Project
When you’re building or renovating a home, having the right team on your side makes all the difference. According to a report from the National Association of Home Builders, it takes an average of 22 subcontractors to build a house from the ground up.
With so many specialists coming and going, knowing which contractors you need to hire is vital.
What is a General Contractor? What does a General Contractor do?
You can think of a general contractor like a general in the military. Like a general leading a military campaign, a general contractor organizes the strategy and manages the entire process of your home-building project.
The general contractor decides when to bring in subcontractors like plumbers, electricians, and roofers; the general contractor makes sure everyone does their jobs correctly and checks details.
The general contractor also ensures that the building permits are in order and that the project is legal — meaning that it is being done to city or country building codes.
When you choose Unified, you are choosing a top-rated general contractor. We take care of all the workers involved in your home renovation project. We work with you and know the ins and outs of the job, so we have a clear idea of what each contractor must bring to the task.
What is a Subcontractor? What does a subcontractor do?
A subcontractor specializes in performing a specific type of task related to building your home. Subcontractors are specialists who work under the direction of the general contractor.
Ideally, they show up at your construction or remodeling project when they are needed. If the subcontractors are reliable and efficient, the pace of your project continues to move steadily along, and it is finished when it is supposed to be.
If all that happens, it is usually because an excellent general contractor has been overseeing their work.
Contractors and subcontractors work hand-in-hand to complete a construction project.
The contractor acts as the manager of the project, serving as the central point of communication and organizer. The subcontractors complete their specialized part of the project.
Some examples of subcontractors needed for home renovations are:
Electricians
Electricians work on virtually every construction project because very few buildings are built today without electricity.
Electricians install breaker boxes, wiring, and fixtures, and they deal with power companies to have grid power turned off so that new systems can be hooked up safely. They are also getting increasingly involved in the installation of alternative and decentralized energy systems like solar, wind, and geothermal.
Masons
Although this one might seem like an obvious question to ask, you’d be surprised how many people skip this simple question and often end up suffering for it.
A good, reputable custom home builder will be happy to provide proof of insurance. They will often showcase this on their website, marketing materials, and even offer it up in conversation.
The homes we build are in North Carolina, and we’re fully licensed and insured.
Roofers
From flat aggregate roofs to asphalt, tile, steel, solar panels, and rubberized steel, each type of roofing has its own special installation needs. Roofing specialists help prevent problems that could otherwise lead to damage later.
Countertops Installer
Installing granite slabs without them cracking and installing Formica with perfectly smooth seams are two very different skills.
Choosing a subcontractor who regularly works with the countertop material you select ensures a polished appearance, regardless of the surface.
Concrete Workers
Concrete contracting is one of the large types of subcontractors in construction. These specialty contractors can work on a variety of projects.
Some will be concrete finishers, work primarily with foundations, or work mostly in asphalt.
Painters
A fresh coat of paint makes everything it touches seem brand new. During projects, painters are responsible for all interior and exterior painting and caulking.
Plumbers
Plumbers are responsible for water systems in a building, including connecting a house to a well or municipal water main, installing water heating equipment, and building and maintaining drainage and septic systems.
Landscapers
Professional landscapers are well-versed in outdoor drainage and natural aesthetics. They consider the pre-existing landscape as well as the immediate appearance of your home when planting.
Cabinetmakers
Custom cabinetmakers and carpenters offer unique solutions that maximize useable space. They can deliver and install high-quality, durable cabinets.
Simplify your home projects with Unified.
Hiring and managing all these different contractors can cause a headache. When you start a project with Unified, we’ll be your single point of contact for all of your property needs. You will want an expert on your side to guide you through this long and detailed process. Especially an expert with experience working with subcontractors and taking care of all the research into the handiwork of these companies, their references, and preferably a previous working relationship. You will always want to deal with companies that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
We take care of this initial research, hire the right professionals for the job, and communicate on your behalf to the contractors, ensuring they stay on track and within the scope we work with you to create.
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