Who is a contractor (definition)?
In construction, a contractor is an organization (or sometimes a person) hired by the client to carry out the work necessary to complete a project.
However, contractors do not always have the knowledge or skills necessary to complete all construction work themselves. Therefore, they are also responsible for appointing subcontractors who can complete some parts of the project. Typically, there will be a significant number of subcontractors involved in a construction project.
It goes without saying that the role of a contractor has many different levels as they are responsible for a wide range of tasks and people. In this article, we try to clarify the various responsibilities that a contractor may have.
The Responsibilities of a General Contractor
Contractors can serve a construction project in many different roles and positions. That of a general contractor (main contractor) is potentially the most influential of all.
A general contractor is responsible for a multitude of details during a construction project. Finding the right people to get the job done is probably one of your most important missions. But it's not the only thing they need to do.
Taking care of materials, equipment and any other services necessary for the successful development of the project is part of your job. This is also where subcontractors can provide valuable assistance, as in most cases they have their own network that can support the progress of the project.
Additionally, here are some of the most common aspects of the project that a general contractor may be responsible for:
- Application for building permits
- Property security
- Provision of (temporary) facilities on site
- Taking care of the waste generated
- On-site personnel management
- Site survey
- Site engineering
- Schedule monitoring
It is clear, then, that the general contractor is also responsible for the quality of the work delivered to the client. In any case, however, safety should always be the top priority for everyone involved in a construction project.
Other types of contractors
General contractors are probably the main type of contractor you may encounter. However, this does not mean that they are the only category of contractors in the industry. There are a multitude of different contractor roles that vary between them with regards to the responsibilities assigned, the level of risk they assume and, of course, the amount of reward they demand.
In summary, here are the main types of contractors you need to know:
A construction manager is typically hired at the design stage so that he or she can assist the team in developing the project based on his or her rich experience. In some cases, a construction manager may begin the construction phase before the design process is complete.
In these cases, construction managers must be absolutely certain that they have all the information necessary to start the project and keep it running within the agreed deadlines and budget. Otherwise, there is a serious possibility that project efficiency and quality will plummet.
Want to know more? Construction Management 101: The Definitive Guide
Construction managers may also be responsible for managing commercial contractors. However, clients can be responsible for commercial contracts on many projects if they have the necessary experience. If commercial contracts are not concluded with the customer, the management contractor is responsible for this.
Construction managers are seen as the kings of the construction site, given the large number of responsibilities and people they have to manage.
main contractor
Another category of contractors you need to know about is the main contractor category. It's a vague category, as there are many definitions one can give to a prime hire. Sometimes a main contractor can be synonymous with a general contractor.
Prime hiring is a good choice for large customers. Ministries, such as the Ministry of Defense, could be an excellent example of a prime contractor client, as they are constantly in need of construction or maintenance work.
In general, however, a client's relationship with a prime contractor is a long-term commitment that may include one or more future projects.
Main contractor
A contractor may also be responsible for ensuring that all work carried out on a project complies with CDM regulations. They cover a wide range of project aspects that mainly have to do with health and safety.
In short, these are some of your most notable duties and responsibilities:
- Progress monitoring.
- Plan and manage the construction phase of a project.
- Coordination with main designer and client.
- Stay up to date with the work carried out on site.
- Ensure health and safety specifications are followed.
- Continuously review, modify and update the project program based on the latest changes and feedback received.
- Collaborate with other contractors.
Design and build contractors
Last but not least on our list are the design and construction contractors who are responsible for first designing the project and then looking after its development while managing the numerous details on site.
It is a more holistic approach, as the contractor is involved in almost every stage of the project. In some projects, the contractor remains in control of the project even after completion, maintaining the built structure.
Common Pains for a Contractor
At this point, it is clear that being a contractor is extremely demanding. You need to have full control over your projects and be able to quickly identify any source of problems. Only then will you be able to act quickly and prevent costly mistakes from happening.
In summary, here are some of the most common obstacles that contractors need to overcome:
- Managing on-site staff : Maintaining a strong connection between on-site and office can be difficult. Especially in cases where a contractor needs to keep track of multiple projects at the same time. This is where digital tools can add great value today.
- Task delegation : The better the connection between the office and location, the easier it will be to delegate tasks and keep everyone on the same page. The advent of interactive systems has made things in this sense much simpler.
- Program Reviews and Updates : As construction expert, Matt Ghinn said, “The program is king”! That being said, contractors need to always stay up to date on the latest project updates. Keeping track of program changes may be easier these days with the help of construction software, but it can still be quite a challenge if a contractor works on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Paperwork : Paperwork is one of every contractor’s biggest nightmares. The amount of data captured during a construction project is enormous and, with this in mind, it is clear that the transition from pen and paper to digital is of paramount importance.
- Collaboration across the supply chain : Improving communication and, by extension, collaboration between employees and subcontractors can make the difference between the success and failure of a project. Right now, there are too many decision makers in the supply chain and that needs to change.
- Learning from previous projects : Last but certainly not least, contractors have to improve the data collected from the project. This valuable information can act as a basis for improving efficiency and reducing rework rates on future projects.
Contractors as experts
There is a lot of discussion about the diverse role a contractor has on a project. There are many examples of contractors spreading themselves too thin in an effort to satisfy different types of projects and clients.
Interestingly, an essential shift in this direction has begun to emerge. Contractor specialization could be a smart strategy moving forward to the benefit of both the construction industry and the contractors themselves.
What do we mean by specialization? Simply put, we refer to contractors' dedication to a specific type of construction projects (e.g., bridge construction). This approach would allow contractors to improve what they do while minimizing their financial risk.
If done well, it can be a win-win situation for the entire sector, as it can increase quality, financial stability and support the normalization of the sector.
Final word
In short, it is clear that providing a specific definition for the role and responsibilities of a contractor can be more difficult than it seems due to the cross-functional services they provide over the course of a construction project.
However, the advent of digital tools, in combination with the challenges the sector faces in terms of project delivery, has paved the way for a new approach to the role of a contractor.
Ready to streamline your contractor's tasks and improve project collaboration? Schedule a demo with Letsbuild today and experience firsthand how our platform can optimize your construction workflows.
