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As the construction site leader, the general contractor oversees the business and every aspect of the project. That includes assigning subcontractors, setting the project schedule, making material purchases, acquiring permits, and providing the client with progress reports.
The profession is open to a range of construction prospects, from commercial builds to various residential projects. Aside from having generic construction fundamentals, the general contractor must be able to:
- Follow local, state, and federal building codes to remain compliant
- Follow OSHA safety compliance
- Ensure adequate equipment is onsite for the job
- Handle the business aspect of the project, including budget and accounting
- Provide management over subcontractors
- Bid on future prospective projects
- Determine schedules for projects
- Know adequate disposal guidelines for construction waste
- Progress management and reports for clients, adequate communication skills, and management of client objectives
What Are The Steps To Becoming A General Contractor
In order to become a general contractor, an individual needs to pursue both higher education and sufficient hands-on experience. Your specific state’s laws and the objectives you set will determine your particular career path.
Go here for guidance on how to become a licensed contractor, and then take a look at this outline meant to help get you started if you’re just beginning.
● Set your objectives
Before you can sign on for classes or apprenticeships, it’s important to determine your career path and where you want to start in the trade. Prospects often choose carpentry, but many options exist, including plumbing, electrical, or heating and cooling.
General contractors need a foundation based on carpentry-related skills, including equipment operation, but it’s good to avoid becoming “pigeonholed” to this specific craft. As a general contractor, you’ll want to have strong skills in many crafts.
● Establish hands-on experience
Once you have a path determined and objectives set, it’s time to establish hands-on experience in the field by signing on for an apprenticeship. These are structured platforms that involve both classwork alongside on-the-job training. Some of the programs are paid.
Starting with an apprenticeship gives you a better idea of whether the objectives you’re working toward are most suited for you and whether general construction is the right field. Maybe plumbing or electrical would be better for your skillset, or perhaps you would prefer to be a subcontractor.
Construction experience is a prerequisite in most states before you can get a general contracting license.
● Higher education is a must
With the apprenticeship comes some classroom work, but higher education is important for this profession. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates that a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field is standard for most construction managers.
These can include construction management, business, engineering, or construction. The very least is a high school diploma for most states before applying for a license. But many prefer additional training or certification, such as a course pre-licensing.
● The general contractor license is the next step
When you have adequate education and hands-on experience, it’s time to work toward your contractor’s license based on your local area’s guidelines. Research the process for licensing in your specific location. A license is typically granted by the state, but sometimes the country or city will do so.
Some areas don’t require the position to have a license. Do a general search to determine the government agencies requiring applications in your local vicinity.
Some of the standard requirements for applicants include:
- Age 18
- Legally able to work in the US
- An education including at least a high school diploma or GED
- A clean employment record
- Previous construction experience
- The contractor’s licensing exam needs a passing score
- Bonding or insurance confirmation
Simply because you get your license and are able to establish a business doesn’t mean your learning days are through. It’s essential to continue the education process continuously, whether you’re required to or not.
You can enroll in certification classes online or participate in government-issued continuing education courses. These will keep your skills current and enable you to remain relevant in your industry.
The competition is fierce in the field. The greater your knowledge and the more you can offer your clientele, the more in demand you’ll remain. The occupation is one of a select few projected to grow into the next decade.
