A general contractor, or GC, is the party responsible for overall management of a construction project, including hiring and coordinating subcontractors, scheduling, and quality control.
Homeowners hire a GC so they don’t have to individually manage framers, electricians, plumbers, and other trades themselves.
What Does a General Contractor Handle?
- Hiring and scheduling subcontractors
- Securing permits and coordinating inspections
- Managing the project budget and payments
- Quality control across all trades
- Carrying liability for the overall project
Why Is a General Contractor Important?
On a kitchen remodel, the GC schedules the demolition crew, then the electrician, then the cabinet installer in the right order, catching problems before they cascade. Without that coordination, an owner managing trades directly risks scheduling conflicts and gaps in accountability when something goes wrong. Licensing requirements for general contractors vary by state and often depend on project value.
General Contractor vs. Construction Manager
A general contractor typically holds the construction contract directly and carries the associated risk and profit margin. A construction manager often works on the owner’s behalf instead, representing the owner’s interests separately from whoever ends up building the work, particularly on larger or more complex projects.