What A General Contractor Does

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[olliedad]

I know a GC that has a boat called "Change Order" it got it's name because he charges $350 when a client changes anything from the the completed and approved plans and contract. This fee, that is clearly stated in the contract and well covered at signing, paid for his 40ft cabin cruiser.

[petemiller]

I am a retired structural engineer, had hundreds of builder clients. I can honestly say out of maybe 300 builders I knew, I could only trust a handful. Just listening to Scott speak and address issues, he would fall in the latter category. It is very difficult to find a conscientious, honest, hard working GC. An easy way to find one is by going to a structural engineer that does a lot of residential work, and asking him who he would recommend. To find a good engineer, go to multiple worksites and ask the framers who they would recommend. Cheers from Canada.

[turtlestomper]

Watching the weather forecast as a contractor can save you a lot of time, money, etc.

[klmbuilders]

I'm a GC. Have been since 1994. Most of my subs have been with me the whole time. Life is good.

[BillyG]

I’ve been licensed well over 40 years, this is right on. Most important, be honest, own your mistakes, hold your cards, never compromise. I’ve never been sued, collect most all my money. And at 74, still love what I do....NEVER be dishonest, never “Rip Off” anyone....Always pay your subs, promptly when they perform as agreed, never until they do what they agreed to deliver. There is no such thing as a “Deal” and Owner’s who think that are not work the time...

[mossyhollow]

If you are stopping by the job site to look over the contractors shoulder (and you should but not too often), bring only a positive attitude and donuts or other treats for the crew. The crew will know they are working for a kind person who deserves for the job to be done right versus good enough. And hire an independent home inspector.

[badlandskid]

When you hire a GC, you are hiring him for his relationships and his experience.

One cold winter morning I was at the drive through for my favorite coffee shop. The lady at the window noticed I was all bundled up and she asked what I did for work. I told he I was in daycare. I babysit grown men all day long. 🤣

[nullrout]

I can't tell you how to find the right GC, but I can tell you how to find the wrong one: get fixated on the lowest cost. I don't know how many times I need to learn that cheap and inexpensive are not the same. "Cheap" can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

[raymondheckard]

Having worked on contract for the federal government, I have learned in dealing with them, they have a requirement on their jobs for a materials inspector that keeps the general contractor honest, and makes sure the general contractor uses only the materials that are specified in the bid specs of the job.
I saw a concrete slab that was laid down and 2 weeks later was removed and reported because the materials inspector found used the wrong concrete mixture formulation, which was ordered by the general contractor in a cost savings move. In the end the general contractor cost himself money because the removal and replacement of the slab was his burden which cost him way more than he saved. When my uncle had his house built he also hired a materials inspector to verify that the proper quality of products was used in the build of his house, and the general contractor did not cut corners. My uncle said it was the best money spent because the materials inspector kept the general contractor and all sub contractors honest. Maybe you can do a video on the pros and cons of a materials inspector in a build. Enjoy your videos, and as an American living in Ukraine, English videos are a must for entertainment.

[phildcrow]

As a subcontractor, I have a little different view of what a GC does. He calls me out of the blue and says he needs me on the job tomorrow or else. He tells me he hasn't been paid yet, so there's no money for me. He says that he won't pay me for my work unless he gets paid for it. I don't have an agreement with the owner, I have an agreement with you. I don't care what you have to do to get your money. The list goes on and on.


Having said all that, there's no way I would want to be a GC. I can't imagine having to put up with 15 of me on every job.

[rcostheta]

Sitting an listening to you talk is at least 60% of why I play your videos :D

[peterflores]

My dad is a general contractor and owns 5 companies with a total of 230 employees and makes 650, 000 a year and he is 50. He says it’s fully worth it because he uses the money to invest and I’m in the process of getting my GC license to join

[csabapali]

I would like to thank you for a great and informative series that I can binge watch (and immediately feel the urge to build a house) - especially in these harsh times with the pandemic and self isolation. Please do keep up the great work!

[erniewhite]

Im gonna tell you right now....stamped concrete once sealed is some of the most slippery surfaces when wet. I guarantee sombody is going to bite the dust on those stairs after a rain storm. I did a large pool deck for a customer last summer and he insisted on stamped concrete. I tried to talk him into a broom finish but he just loved the look of this stamped concrete, and the fact that he could color it. So fastforward 2 months after completion of the deck and he is in the hospital with his wife who has a broken wrist. Home owners do this to them selves instead of listening to the guy who does this for a living and knows what the end product will be. Stamped concrete should interior work or have grit added to the seal to make it suitable for outdoor use but it changes that nice shiny than owl snot on a wet rock, look.

[markb.]

And then my question was answered!!! As I sat here watching this really great video, I thought to myself, gee... I wonder if Scott has ever written any books? He's got a wealth of information to share with folks. Then the video tells me where I can find Scott's book!!! You have the finest, most humble disposition Scott! Thank you for your videos!!!

[psidvicious]

I was lucky to work for one of the good GCs for many years until retirement. We always made the ENR top 400 list (which might be a good place to start your search) and I knew all of the principals personally, and what kind of people they were.
GCs collective reputation probably rank somewhere right in there with, politicians, bouncers, tow truck drivers and lawyers, but if you get a good one, you should breathe a sigh of relief bcz you’ll probably never really be able to fully appreciate the amount of ‘brain-damage’ they and their knowledge and experience can save you.
A good one can really shield you from all the riff-raff out there you’d likely encounter on a project without one.

[packerbacker]

You’re the most knowledgeable person on YouTube in my opinion. I enjoy every single one of your videos

[TheRepublicOfJohn]

Thanks for another great video! Whenever I get stuck in a rut, feel burned out, or start getting a "good-enough" attitude, I watch and listen to you. You're an inspiration, and a good man.

[edwardbrady]

I've watched your whole series and have to say, this is the most important episode. You managed to explain an extremely complicated and nuanced subject, thereby making it understanding to your followers. Thanks as always and keep up the good work!

[beaubroshomesconstruction]

Gone are the days of a honest hand shake. Great content, thanks to you and Nate for all your long hours and extremely hard work. It benefits us all.