What kind of contractors are there

Especially considering the fact that I was only getting bids on Labor Costs, not Materials which I specified and priced separately. There are different types of contractors and contracting services, and if I had to categorize them, I would define three major categories. The differences in these three categories of contractor largely account for the differences in price, and have a very large impact on the amount of work the investor will be required to exert himself.

As you might suspect, as you move from the more expensive to the less expensive contractor solutions, the amount of effort that the investor must exert increases quickly. A general contractor is someone who has the ability to tackle a lot of different aspects of a rehab project; most general contractors are good at carpentry, sheet-rock, basic electrical, basic plumbing, basic HVAC, and other general areas of home renovation and rehab.

A General Contractor will often hire sub-contractors contractors with specific skill-sets to come in to handle the work that he is either not skilled enough to complete or too busy to complete. For example, General Contractors will often hire plumbers, electricians, roofers, foundation experts, etc, to cover those aspects that require specific expertise. Not only does a General Contractor hire the necessary sub-contractors, but he will often manage the schedule, the project budget, and all the payments as well if you want him to.

For big projects, the General Contractor might spend all his time managing schedules, budgets, and sub-contractors, and therefore might not have time to do any of the work himself. The General Contractor is also responsible for ensuring that his subs are properly licensed and insured, to protect you and your investment as well as to protect himself. As you can see, having a General Contractor makes your job as an investor very easy; you hire one person the General Contractor , you pay only him, and everything just gets done.

The downside to working with even the best General Contractor is that he will charge you for all the extra work he does. The General Contractor is also managing schedule and ensuring that the project is on budget, so there will be extra overhead charges for that. But you still need to hire contractors to come in do the actual rehab work. When hiring your own contractors, you have a couple options. The most common — and most reliable — is to hire specialty contractors who are licensed, insured, and can manage themselves and their team.

The major downside to working with a bunch of specialty contractors is that you will be responsible for managing schedules and ensuring that the rehab progresses in the most optimal fashion. While a General Contractor will know these sorts of things to keep a rehab moving along quickly, you might not, and getting that first-hand experience of having to re-sheet-rock a wall because you had your dry-waller work before your plumber, can be both frustrating and expensive.

Whereas a turn-key dry-waller can be trusted to finish up a room while you head to lunch, you probably would want to stick around to manage and instruct a freelance worker who was doing the same thing. For example, a freelance worker might be happy to install carpet or lay tile for you, but may not know how; it would be up to you to demonstrate proper technique and then ensure that he is following it and getting the job done correctly.

Freelance workers are by-far the cheapest labor costs for a rehab, but will require the most time, effort, expertise and patience from you. Many investors will choose a combination of these three types of contractor for their project.

Hi mr scott Iam ready to buy my first flip but I work a full time job and so does my wife can you give me some insight on where I should start and what kind of contractor I should use. I am a college student. Inspecting the quality of work completed by the crew and subcontractors. Making sure the worksite is secure. Ensuring safe work practices are being implemented, which means all workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

General Contractors vs. Subcontractors A contractor can be a general contractor or a contractor with a specialty hired for a specific job within the construction industry. Concrete contractors Almost every building will require concrete at some point, whether that is the foundation or the patio. Electrical contractors Electrical contractors are called electricians , and most find employment as independent contractors. Click the image above to check out these work shirts.

Drywall contractors Drywall contractors install drywall on the framed project in both residential and commercial buildings. Here is a look at some of the specialties within drywalling: Commercial Drywall and Insulation Drywall Paint Finishing Residential There are also drywall repair contractors who specialize in repairing walls in older buildings.

Flooring Installation contractors Flooring is a phrase that generally illustrates applying finished raw materials to a floor structure. Common Questions How much do contractors make? Contractors' salaries vary depending on the type of work. On average, below are some sample salaries for different construction roles, including several types of contractors. How do you become a general contractor? General contractors need a wide range of working knowledge to perform large-scale planning and overseeing construction projects.

You can get experience through vocational training in high school. Consider education: You can earn a certification or a degree in construction management, which focuses on building materials, construction financing, cost estimating, scheduling green building, and more. Get on-the-job training: For construction work, on-the-job training is a must.

Find someone who will let you be an apprentice. Check local and state licensing requirements: Many states require contractor licenses for certain projects, like high-cost, commercial, residential, or public works contracting, and have stringent requirements for contractor licensing. Meet insurance requirements: You may have to have a certain amount of liability insurance to work as a contractor, depending on where you live. Continue learning: Michelangelo, the great artist, and sculptor, once said at age 87, "I am still learning.

The only thing that we must decide is what we're going to learn and how we will apply that learning in our lives. How much work can you do without a contractor's license? Some work can be done without a contractor's license in specific instances, but you must first recognize and understand the difference between a handyman and a contractor.

A handyman is someone who typically fixes smaller things. A contractor does larger plans that usually require bidding. What is an independent contractor? An individual is an independent contractor if they are self-employed. An independent contractor controls what will be done and how it will be done. You are not an independent contractor if you perform work that is overseen by an employer or supervisor. How do you become a subcontractor? Subcontracting is essentially like managing a business.

Good news, you're the boss! But, you have to start thinking like a business owner. To start subcontracting , you want to ensure you have a customer base, a financial plan in place, licensing, and a good lawyer.

How do you find subcontractors? Choosing a subcontractor who works regularly with the type of countertop you choose ensures a polished appearance, regardless of the surface. Ceramic tiling: Tiling professionals have a wealth of resources for specialty products, like edgings and tile. Flooring other than carpeting and tile: Professional floor installers know the techniques to install multiple flooring options, including bare and prefinished wood and engineered products.

These skills can shorten your overall construction time and ensure your floor is both beautifully laid and durable. Painting and wallcovering: Painting and wall-finishing experts have the expertise and tools to prepare surfaces for painting.

They may also know how to apply textured treatments to walls. Landscaping: Professional landscapers are well-versed in outdoor drainage and natural aesthetics. They consider the mature landscape as well as the immediate appearance of the home when planting. Kitchen cabinets: Custom cabinetmakers and carpenters offer unique solutions that maximize useable space.

They can deliver and install high-quality, durable cabinets. Exterior doors and windows: In addition to hanging doors properly, professional installers put up the weather sealing that eliminates drafts and helps homes stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

They also install subflooring. Exterior siding: These experts have the tools and expertise to ensure that siding is not only level but installed to prevent rain and dampness from entering a home. Interior doors: With multiple doors in a home, installation speed is a consideration. Door hangers quickly ensure that each door is leveled and shimmed properly.

Finished carpentry: Finish carpenters bring technical precision and artistry to a job, ensuring that millwork or built-ins look professional. Homeowners Coverages Discounts Claims.

General contractors also provide cost estimates and ensure that the project comes in on time and on budget. The picture is becoming clear: There are many different types of contractors — as many as are needed to complete a specific construction project on a specific budget. Contractors work on projects both large and small — from full renovation projects to the installation of crown molding.

Special trade contractors are harnessed by the general contractor to bring a project from creation to completion. Storee Construction is family-owned and operated.

We have been since We are the leading industrial contractor in the Midwest, providing experience, expertise, leadership, and time-tested solutions across a wide range of manufacturing, commercial, and distribution applications. Consider us your full-service, one-stop-shop for any and all commercial and industrial construction projects.