any project so ask these questions and about hundred more: • Are the products provided a good quality? • Are the products currently available or how long will delivery take? • Is the individual I hired qualified and knowl - edgeable? Do they have references? • Who is disposing of waste (hot water tank, shingles, windows, etc.)? Remember that even smaller projects require an individual to do their due diligence regarding the person or company they are hiring, and they should always have a contract. Further, request confirmation of insurance and always get a receipt for work completed. When deciding if you require a General Con- tractor, it is important to understand the scale of your project, the resources needed and, most importantly, the realistic demand on your time. Bathrooms, Kitchens, Basements, Additions, and New Construction have a lot of moving parts and should have a professional General Contractor managing the project. Admittedly, I am biased because I am a General Contractor, a Professional Engineer, and Red Seal Carpenter. So, I understand the value of hiring an experienced, professional General Contractor along with the pitfalls of Self Man- agement. Even with over 30 years experience in the construction industry, I still learn something new on a regular basis, I listen to the opinions and suggestions of other professionals, and, honestly, I still make mistakes from time to time. The important part is that after 30 years, I know how to fix mistakes and solve problems quickly and cost effectively to keep projects on time and on budget – this could be your advantage to hiring an experienced professional General Contractor.
professionals delivering the service. They also ensure the client is well informed about the process, and schedule. Regarding product selection, they often remain impartial to service providers allowing the client to make the most informed decisions. Services General Contractors typically have all the services required to complete a project from start to finish including network designers, planners, engineers, suppliers, installers, subtrades, insurance, and financing. These are elements that most individ- uals do not have at their ready disposal because they may only renovate or build a couple of times in their life. Investing in a General Contractor is investing in their valuable relationships. Self Management is common for smaller projects, service calls, or when the individu- al has industry experience. If you are hiring a specific trade for a specific task, for example replacing a hot water tank (plumber), a furnace to be serviced (burner tech), even a roof to be reshingled (roofing company), it could be complet- ed with self management. If managing a project, yourself always remember knowledge is critical to a successful of
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MAY/JUNE 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2022
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