How to Manage and Pay a Dozen Contractors

Take a look at the list below. On that list are people and tasks that you will need in order to complete a typical remodeling project. If you feel like you can hire, organize, supervise, and pay all of these individual organizations, they you may be able to get away with not hiring a general contractor. However, even if you can do something, doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. If you choose to forgo the general contractor you’ll have to deal with many people rather than just one in order to complete your project from start to finish. Often, a general contractor will well worth the time you’ll be saving.

  • Architect
  • Structural engineer
  • Soils engineer
  • City planning department
  • Inspectors
  • Foundations–dirt work
  • Trash removal
  • Sheet rockers
  • Carpenters
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Roofers
  • Millwork
  • Siders
  • Landscapers
  • Carpet

The main benefit of hiring a builder is that instead of managing a full team of people to finish your home, you’ll be able to focus your energy on choosing design layouts and finishes. Although a task may seem easy, they usually aren’t as straight forward as you may think. Not every step is readily apparent. For example, hiring a painter will include the following subtasks;

  • Getting bids from different painters
  • Choosing an experienced painter with a good price who also does a good job
  • Scheduling the painter among the other trades persons
  • Quality control
  • Supervision
  • Completing on time
  • Paying on time

So, What Can I Do Myself?

You can do any of it yourself. Afterall, it’s your home renovation and you can be involved in as much or as little of it as you wish. Here are a few things to consider before trying to do anything on your own.

  • Skill–There is a reason that your builder hires professional carpenters and plumbers to perform specific tasks: because of their experience and ability to do a quality job. Depending on the task, you may be—but probably will not be—the most skilled person for the job. If you feel you can do it better or simply would enjoy doing it, by all means, go for it, you may surprise yourself.
  • Stress–Taking on extra responsibilities is stressful no matter what they are. There is enough stress in just living through a renovation; do you really want to take on the stress of doing the work as well? If you feel deadlines and working for yourself would be stressful, don’t do it.
  • Time and money–Your time is a valuable asset and it is important to use it in the most effective way. You might think you can save money by installing your own cabinets, for example, but it is important to realize that the time you are spending also has a money value. The time it took to install the cabinets might have been better spent with your family, at work, or on a hobby.