Concrete work is important in construction and involves the placing of concrete floor slabs and the construction of driveways and sidewalks. You may need to find out whether it is essential to hire a specialized contractor or whether you can manage to hire a general contractor. I’m here to explain what you should know to feel comfortable about selecting the right professional for your project. Now let’s take a look at whether a general contractor can pour concrete and when it’s best to bring in a specialist.
Understanding the Role of a General Contractor
A general contractor supervises construction projects so that there are no complications. It is involved in many activities including scheduling of work, financial management, and making certain that all the codes have been complied with. General contractors are involved in many aspects of construction and their objective is to complete a construction project. They employ subcontractors for work that requires special expertise including plumbing, electrical and sometimes concrete work. However, a general contractor may also possess the skills and experience to do the concrete work and therefore, do it himself.
Can a General Contractor Handle Concrete Work?
In fact, a general contractor is capable of performing concrete work in most situations. For plain concrete works, such as laying a patio or a small driveway, a competent general contractor is in a position to do the job well. They know how to mix concrete, pour it and how to finish the job and they have the skills to do it right. If the job does not entail intricate stunts or massive structural modifications, then you may be all right with a general contractor.
In large or complicated projects, the general contractor hires a concrete subcontractor to do the concrete works. In the event that the concrete work needs specific forms, it is often the general contractor who hires a formwork contractor. This makes it possible for the general contractor to be in charge of the entire project as other specific activities receive the attention they deserve.
When Does It Make Sense to Hire a Concrete Specialist?
For projects involving specific techniques or larger concrete structures, hiring a concrete specialist is often the better choice. Specialists focus solely on concrete, and they know the best practices for complex tasks like installing rebar or working with large foundations. If your project involves structural elements, like a house foundation or multi-level concrete floors, then a concrete contractor’s expertise is invaluable. They understand how to reinforce concrete, mix it for strength, and make it durable for years to come.
Concrete specialists are also skilled in finishes, patterns, and other decorative aspects of concrete work. If you’re looking for a unique design or finish for a patio or driveway, a concrete specialist can deliver these details with precision. This might be an area where a general contractor doesn’t have the same level of expertise.
Benefits of Hiring a General Contractor for Concrete Work
A general contractor offers many benefits to a construction project. First of all, they make communication easier. The general contractor is the only contractor you have to discuss with and he takes care of the rest of the contractors for you. This makes project management easier and it helps to keep the timeline intact.
General contractors also come with a wide variety of skills as well as expertise. They can oversee concrete work together with other activities, which is convenient when concrete is only a small part of the work. For instance, if you are putting up a new home, the general contractor will handle both the framing and the concrete work. This oversight ensures that the project is well coordinated to move from one phase to the other without having to hire different contractors for each phase.
Also, a general contractor is usually cheaper for small concrete projects than hiring a concrete contractor. They may charge less than a concrete contractor who specializes in the job and since they are involved in various phases of the project, you can save on costs by dealing with them.
How Do General Contractors Work with Concrete Specialists?
In the case where your project requires some concrete work that the general contractor cannot handle, they may hire a concrete subcontractor. Such setup is prevalent in construction particularly in large construction projects. The general contractor is in charge of the entire project and the concrete specialist is in charge of a particular aspect.
Conclusion
A general contractor can undertake most concrete jobs especially those that are small or simple. Their general experience is useful when concrete work is included in a construction project. However, when it comes to the complicated or specialized work of concrete, then the concrete contractor is very much needed. They come with ideas, equipment and methods that make the products strong and of good quality.