The Responsibilities of a General Contractor

A general contractor has many responsibilities, some that vary depending on the job site. On a typical day, a general contractor is responsible for the complete management and coordination of a project. With many responsibilities come many potential liabilities. Continue reading to learn more about how a general contractor should manage their responsibilities and avoid liabilities.

Management of Trades

A general contractor is responsible for hiring subcontractors that specialize in each aspect of a building project. Hiring contractors is helpful, but it also makes you liable if they are injured or if they perform poorly.

Knowledge

A general contractor is in charge of obtaining the appropriate knowledge of construction materials, building planning, safety, and building codes. This applies both during and after construction. A general contractor should know everything there is to know about how long you should let wood get accustomed to a climate before you install it, at what temperature range you should pour concrete, and what type of roofing is best for your area. Based on their knowledge, contractors should be able to tell if a tradesman is qualified for the job or if they will not do quality work.

Work Flow

A general contractor is responsible for overseeing the entire building process, so if you cannot be there, a general contractor will make sure everything is in order. They will be there for all the planning, the actual building process, and the cleanup. They know exactly what order trades should come in to work and when the job is completely done. If you have questions about proper structure, building a model for the job, or anything concerning the building process, a quality general contractor can help.

License, Insurance, and Worker’s Compensation

A general contractor assumes liability for accidents, injuries, and damage to property on a job site. A license, insurance, and worker’s compensation, along with appropriate safety training work together to ensure your building project flows smoothly and no one is seriously harmed. If anything does go wrong, a general contractor is responsible for fixing the problem. In most cases, if damage occurs to property or workers, the general contractor will be in charge of providing compensation. The proper licensing, insurance and safety training is what protects general contractors from the potential liabilities that come hand in hand with their many responsibilities. Training that general contractors receive and promote should include:

preventing accidents,

promoting safety in all circumstances,

accident or injury response techniques,

protective gear guidelines,

everyday safety practices,

proper machine operating techniques,

hazardous materials guidelines, and

general workplace hazards.

If you have questions about what you should expect from a general contractor or how you can get licensing and safety training to become a quality general contractor, we can help. Do not take the responsibilities of this occupation lightly when so much is at stake for you and your workers.

Tips for the Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Installation for Your Home

If you are planning a kitchen cabinet installation for your home, we suggest hiring a contractor and would be happy to assist you. In the meantime, we have a few important tips for you to keep at the front of your mind while you decide on options. For the perfect cabinet installation, you will have to think about the ideal kitchen layout, perfect lighting, complementary colors, quality materials, and long-lasting appliances. Even just these things are a lot to keep in mind, so we have provided you with a few tips that many people forget to consider in order to get you started on a successful kitchen cabinet installation.

1. Plan Ahead for the Appropriate Amount of Storage

When you are planning a perfect kitchen cabinet installation, you should keep in mind how often you cook and how much storage space you will realistically need. If you have a layout in mind that is minimalist or open-air with very little cabinet space, you may need to rethink your setup. You will regret not having the space you need, and your counters will end up looking crowded and cluttered. We can install cabinets that look clean and crisp, but reach the ceiling, so you have a longer range of storage. To come up with ways to make your space look open and clean while also providing yourself with enough storage, visit our office for help.

2. Consider Getting Under-Cabinet Lighting

We often troubleshoot for people who have had a kitchen cabinet installation but realized after the fact that they do not have ideal lighting. If the light is hitting you from the middle of the kitchen, it is most likely behind you, which will make it harder to see the food you are attempting to prepare. When you are planning a perfect kitchen cabinet installation, make sure you keep in mind what kind of lighting you will like best. We can provide you with many examples, or you can find great ideas online that you can share with us before your installation.

3. Plan for Hard-to-Reach Areas

For your everyday items, like cups and dishes, you will want to have a cabinet that is lower, easier to access, and more spacious. You should be able to fit these items all in the same general area. For example, you may consider having a section of cabinets next to your fridge so you can grab a plate, get something from the fridge, and throw it in the microwave in one quick fashion. Make sure you also have drawers in the section for silverware. This also goes for pots and pans you'd like near the stove. We also suggest that your expensive china and other items you would like to keep away from little hands are kept in mind. If you have kids, plan to put a few cabinets higher, so your valuable kitchen accessories are out of reach and less at risk of breaking. If it seems too high, a step stool can be hidden somewhere discreet for your use only.

These are only three of the most common tips we suggest you think about when planning a cabinet installation. If you have other concerns about your kitchen cabinet installation, please feel free to contact us for more planning tips or ideas on construction.