Custom Home Builder Vs. General Contractor – Whom Should You Hire?
Do you plan on building your dream home from scratch? Or do you want to renovate your home?
Both are pricey endeavors, and you must make every move right to ensure no waste of resources and money. You have to choose the right between numerous options, for instance, between a Custom Home Builder and General Contractor.
In short, you have to determine which thing, material, or person would suit the best for your dream project with the minimum knowledge you have of this field.
So, do you know the difference between Custom Home Builders in Edmonton and General Contractors? Fret not if you answer no, as this article contains information on the same. Read on!
General Contractor: What is It and Its Roles & Responsibilities?
A general contractor is responsible for overseeing the homebuilding project. They are not required to have extensive technical knowledge but need knowledge about who is good at certain aspects of homebuilding in your area. Once you decide to build or renovate your home, you can contact a general contractor, and he will assign you professionals with different specialties.
It means when you need cement poured, your general contractor will bring you a reliable crew of cement and foundation at your door. From the inception, the contractor will start breaking down your home building project into multiple projects. The general contractor will arrange a different crew for all those little tasks. You will see a different team for all functions, including roof, paint, walls, and plumb.
General contractors are more expensive since they have a different team or crew for every little task. They profit by negotiating with each subcontractor and then adding a percentage on top of their efforts. As most GC start arranging teams for their projects ASAP, you must incur a high cost for changing thoughts or plans.
There is no denying that General Contractors are expensive; however, they can build your home sooner; the earlier they finish their projects, the greater their profit.
Custom Home Builder: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
The goal of a general contractor and custom build is the same; of course, build your home, but builders have a different approach. While a contractor arranges other teams for every little task, the best home builders do all the work independently from beginning to end. You will deal with the same unit during the entire project except for the highly technical aspect of the build, including heating, plumbing, and electricity.
Custom home builders are more flexible regarding the plan change to your home design during construction. Also, you don’t have to deal with mediators while working with builders. Hence, there are few chances of any miscommunication. They will work according to your plan, and you will see the results exactly what you want. Custom home builders are less expensive, but their work and projects take longer.
How to Choose Between Custom Home Builder & General Contractor?
Now you have got familiar with the difference between a custom home builder and a general contractor, you might be wondering about which one you should go for. Though there is no definite answer to this question, it all depends on the type of project you need a contractor or custom home builder for.
We won’t be able to answer this question without knowing about your conditions; here are some tips you should keep in mind when selecting a custom home builder or general contractor.
- Check Reputation: Before hiring a professional for your homebuilding project, check its reputation in the market. Only work with those having a proven track record of success. You can ask around or get reviews from previous clients of a GC or custom home builder to determine the quality of its work.
- Get References: No one will refer you to a GC or a builder whose work they didn’t like. So, ask your friends or family who also had their house built in your proximity. References are the sure-shot way to connect with the best home builders and avoid the shady ones.
- Ask for Permits: Ensure you have all the necessary talk before they start the work. Ask GC or home builders about who will obtain the required permits. If they can do this, you have nothing to worry about; however, sometimes, the owner has to navigate through all the legal work.
Final Verdict
Whether you are building your first home or up for renovation, you need professional help. So, who do you choose; a custom home builder or a general contractor? Unfortunately, you are not aware of the differences between these two. It’s time to read this article and determine which one you should hire for your dream project.
Hopefully, after reading this guide, you might get familiar with the differences between a custom home builder and a general contractor and will make an informed decision.
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