General Contractors – What Are the Responsibilities Involved With Their Services?
General contractors are one of the most important groups within the construction industry. Their expertise and experience allow them to handle all facets of building construction. If a new building is needed, it is often the general contractor that is contacted and asked to oversee the entire project from beginning to end. They are also responsible for managing the construction of any associated facilities such as parking lots or other property. A general contractor, principal contractor or anchor contractor is in charge of the day-to-day oversight of an entire construction site, coordination of trades and vendors, and the dissemination of details to all involved parties during the course of a project.
GCS Prior Approval: A general contractors’ primary obligation is to perform construction work and follow the applicable laws and regulations with regards to their construction location. When work begins, they must submit a preliminary notice to the relevant local governing body or authority for which they intend to construct. Once the preliminary notice is approved, then they can proceed with construction.
GCS Subcontractor Liability: There are two main agreements that all general contractors must abide by when hiring a sub-contractor. The first agreement is known as the sub-contractor liability agreement. This agreement states that the contractor will be held responsible for any subcontractor’s negligence while performing work under the project. The second agreement is known as the general contractor responsibility agreement. This contract outlines that the GCS will hold the subcontractor liable for certain projects that exceed the scope of the original agreement between the GCS and the sub-contractor.
GCS Lien Waivers: One of the most important aspects of contracting with columbia general contractors is the responsibility to obtain lien waivers before beginning construction. Lien waivers are typically referred to as “green” or “permanently dry” seal tags because they are designed to prevent the risk of incurring additional debt in the future. GCS typically requires all sub-contractors to obtain lien waivers before construction begins. However, some contractors choose not to obtain lien waivers and instead engage in “per man” contracting, which does not require the submission of lien waivers.
The process of obtaining a green seal tag is relatively simple. Sub-contractors are required to provide detailed bid information and a proposal. If the bidder is unable to provide detailed bid information or a poor proposal, then the general contractors will usually decline to pursue the bid. After the contract has been awarded, the GCS will typically issue a certificate that authorizes the bonding and insurance company to collect on the principal amount remaining on the construction loan.
Permits and Licenses: All general contractors are required to submit two documents to the local governing body that governs the project. These two documents are known as a preliminary notice and an application for a certificate of occupancy. Typically the preliminary notice is issued one to three months prior to construction commencement. This notice will inform the public that the project is being planned and that preliminary work has been or will be being performed. The preliminary notice will also indicate the amount of money needed to complete the project and any associated regulations or restrictions.
The application for a certificate of occupancy should be submitted to the local governing body six months prior to any renovation or remodeling construction commencement. This application will need to include financial and business documents that outline the type of business and the intended operation of the general contractor. It will also need to detail any subcontractor or suppliers that will be utilised. The application will also need to detail the proposed timetable, to determine if the project is likely to exceed the maximum budget set by the general contractor. The last document to be submitted is the statement of work plans.
As you can see, when you hire contractors there are important responsibilities involved. Most importantly, both subcontractors and general contractors should be licensed and bonded, and all documentation should be completed in accordance with local and federal laws. To ensure that you have a smooth sailing experience, you should hire a general contractor who has numerous years of experience. You can find them by performing an internet search on ‘general contractors’ in your area.
