The General Contractor (GC) is the person who oversees all the moving components that allow a construction project to run smoothly and on time. The GC’s responsibilities are to plan the project, hire subcontractors, and ensure that all parties on the job site follow safety rules.

A general contractor must have excellent organizational skills, as they have to deal with a lot of people and tasks that need to be accomplished on time and within budget. They must also be good with communication, as they must be able to explain their plans to all stakeholders and make sure everyone on the team understands the same information.

They must also be able to coordinate with different people, such as architects and the zoning board, in order to ensure that all parties on the project are aware of the same information and are working toward the same goals. They must be able to manage money well, as they have to write checks both for the laborers and for the materials that will be needed throughout the duration of the project.

In addition, the GC must have excellent vendor management skills, as they have to ensure that all vendors have access to the necessary tools and supplies to complete their job. They also have to keep track of the delivery of raw materials and building components, which can be tricky in large projects that require a great deal of resources.

Human Resource Management: The GC must have excellent human resource management skills as they must be able to oversee the many employees on the construction team, including office managers, foremen, subcontractors, and other workers. They must also be able to manage the workload and assign specific tasks to each employee, as well as provide feedback on how their performance can be improved.

Realism: A great general contractor is realistic with their clients about what can be achieved on the project and adapts their work to meet the budget. They are also agile when the unexpected happens, and can think critically on their feet and approach a problem with potential solutions.

Eye for Detail: A good general contractor is able to look at the work they do and inspect it for flaws, imperfections that need to be addressed before the final product is delivered. They are not afraid to point out those flaws, and they don’t make excuses for shoddy craftsmanship.

Financial Management: A great general contractor has a strong financial management team to handle all of the accounting, bookkeeping, and financial planning on the project. This helps ensure that all parties are on track to deliver a finished product that is in accordance with the client’s vision and needs.

They must also be able make sure that all of the project’s workers are paid on time and that everyone adheres to safety standards. This can be a difficult task in the construction industry, but it’s essential to make sure that all parties on the project are aware of their roles and that everyone follows all required safety standards.