A general contractor might not be as general as you think. That’s because there’s actually subtypes of general contractors who focus on specialized parts of the construction process. In today’s blog, we’ll review the types of general contractors and which type(s) you need for your next project.
But first, what is a general contractor?
A general contractor must obtain a license to perform this job role to ensure that they are qualified to coordinate a construction project from start to finish. General contractors work with the architects and clients during the planning stage of a construction job and are in charge of the oversight of the day to day operations at the jobsite.
General Contractor Types
Now that we know what a general contractor is, let’s dive into the different subtypes of general contractors. It’s important to understand what each one does in order to get the right contractor for your next project.
Construction management contractor
Construction management contractors are focused mainly on the budget and timeline of the project. The day to day operations of the jobsite are usually delegated to another company while the construction management contractor manages the big picture aspects.
Design-build contractor
A design-build contractor utilizes a popular construction technique, design-build. This technique facilitates better communication and coordination through the contractor acting as the point person and project manager for the entire project. A design-build team is usually made up of a designer, a contractor, and other individuals who all work together under one contract.
Corporate general contractor
A corporate general contractor specializes in building projects that are in the corporate sector. Chain restaurants, gas stations, and retail stores require each building to be a cookie-cutter replica and so the corporation will use one contracting company to build all of their buildings. Because the contractor may need to travel to other cities and states to work on the chain of buildings, their work involves a lot of travel.
Real estate developer
Real estate developers buy land and invest their own money into a construction job, leaving them with the highest risk of losses and often the highest chance of a big payout when the job is complete. Developers can make a lot of money by buying land and orchestrating construction jobs from start to finish.
Residential contractor
A residential contractor is a contractor who specializes in the building, remodeling, or renovation of residential homes. Residential contractors in the state of Virginia are only licensed for working on single-family homes and cannot build multifamily properties such as apartment complexes.
Commercial contractor
A commercial contractor’s expertise lies in their training and experience in overseeing the commercial construction of business and retail spaces, as well as multifamily units. They perform general contracting projects for businesses, such as roofing, commercial bathroom remodeling, build outs, commercial kitchen remodels, and minor repairs.
Government contractor
Different standards of building codes must be followed for government buildings, which is why government contractors must have a specialized skill set to encompass the responsibilities of the job. They are commissioned by the state or federal government to oversee a construction project and must follow strict government regulations. Government contractors complete a large amount of paperwork, inspections, and scheduling to abide by these regulations.
Entertainment contractor
Entertainment contractors orchestrate the building of temporary structures used for movie sets, television, and commercials. Entertainment contractors know how to make buildings look perfect on film, but up close the structures would never meet the codes required for a real building.
Handyman contractor
A handyman contractor is an individual who operates on a smaller scale than contractors for large projects. When providing handyman services, qualified contractors still possess the tools and training to complete a variety of construction work, usually for renovation projects.
So which contractors do you need for your next project? Contact Carlton Building services to learn more about which types are best for your upcoming project.
Carlton Building Services in Hampton Roads Virginia
Carlton Building Services specializes in repairs, maintenance, renovations, remodelings and build-outs for a variety of clients in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake areas. We have years of experience handling projects in the retail, office, and healthcare space and would love to work with you on your next project!
To learn more about our services, check out past project highlights or contact Carlton Building Services to see how we can help with your next project.
