What to expect when you hire a general contractor

A general contractor is not just someone who swings a hammer. On a larger renovation project, the GC is the person responsible for pulling permits, scheduling trades, managing the sequence of work, and making sure the job gets done in the right order. If you have never hired one before, the process can feel opaque. Here is what it actually looks like from the first call to the day you get your keys back.

The site visit and estimate phase ¶

The first step is a site visit. A GC who gives you a number over the phone without seeing the job is guessing. The visit should include a walk-through of the full scope, a conversation about your priorities and timeline, and some time looking at the existing conditions, especially if the project involves opening walls or working with an older structure.

After the visit, you should receive a written estimate that breaks down labor, materials, permit costs, and the payment schedule. This typically takes a few days to a week depending on the complexity of the project. If a contractor hands you a number on the spot without any documentation, ask for it in writing before you agree to anything.

What the GC does during the project ¶

Once the contract is signed and the permit is pulled, the GC manages the sequence of work. On a kitchen renovation, for example, that means demo first, then rough plumbing and electrical, then inspection, then insulation and drywall, then cabinets, then finish plumbing and electrical, then flooring and trim. Each trade has to finish before the next one can start, and the GC is responsible for keeping that sequence on track.

You should expect regular communication: a brief update at the end of each week at minimum, and a call any time something unexpected comes up. Unexpected things always come up in renovation work. The question is whether your contractor tells you about them before or after they decide what to do.

The final walkthrough ¶

At the end of the project, you and the GC walk through the completed work together. This is your opportunity to note anything that needs to be addressed before you make the final payment. A punch list, a written record of items to be corrected, is normal and expected. A contractor who resists a punch list or pushes for final payment before the walkthrough is a contractor to be cautious about.

Final payment should be made after the walkthrough and after any punch list items are resolved, not before.

The GC relationship works best when communication is clear from the start. If something is bothering you mid-project, say it. Most problems that turn into disputes started as small concerns that nobody mentioned.