In a construction project, be it a small home renovation or a larger scale commercial build, Contractors become a ‘one-stop-shop.’ They manage all relationships with vendors, ensuring prompt supply delivery and that the project stays on schedule. They also schedule the specialized teams or subContractors, such as plumbing, carpentry, and painting, logically or in a way that prevents the project from running into unnecessary setbacks. 

Contractors also communicate on-site updates to all other stakeholders such as architects, engineers, and investors. 

Contractors are responsible for providing all the materials and equipment needed to complete a project., which means renting equipment and ensuring that delivery of supplies, such as lumber and tiles, arrives on time. 

A Contractor’s number one responsibility on the job site is safety. If something seems unsafe, it will be the Contractor’s responsibility to stop the work until a safe alternative or more dependable equipment can be used.  

Some Contractors develop specialties such as green buildings, older buildings, or commercial spaces. All these building types have different codes and requirements, so it makes sense that Contractors with specialized knowledge would be in demand for these types of projects.  

Personality of a Contractor

To be successful, general Contractors need to rely not only on their expertise in construction and safety but also on business and their social skills. The personality of a Contractor will benefit from the following features: 

• Business Savvy

General Contractors are small business owners. They need to have a basic grasp of business concepts such as profit margins, overhead, and staff management to be successful. 

• Networking

Contractors need to rely on their network of contacts to help them secure contracts. They also need to have a strong network of subContractors they can ask to bid on projects. All of this requires strong networking and social skills. 

• Time Management

Construction projects are always running on tight timelines. Contractors must know how to juggle their clients' demands and their team's schedule to complete their projects on time.  

• Critical Thinking

Contractors need to handle unexpected delays and deal with several problems at once. They need to think through problems carefully and lay out the solutions to lots of different stakeholders.  

• Communication

Contractors oversee communicating the project updates to several different stakeholders. They need to explain all progress made and any roadblocks the team may be encountering. They also need to assure investors and homeowners that the project will be completed in a timely and budget-conscious fashion.