Would You Rather Work For A GC Or Go It Alone?

joasis

Just for interest, everyone can vote your preference. Do you prefer, all things being equal, to have a GC control the job you are on, or would you rather submit a bid and work directly for, and answer only to a HO or customer?

All things being equal assumes you have a relationship with the GC, and you are not getting low balled.

By the way, this poll is for the trade contractors, since GC's are biased.

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Jason Whipple

Would this be a project with multiple tasks and subs?

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Jason E Whipple, General Manager
Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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joasis

Of course.....it stands to reason that any contractor will take the work when contacted directly....

I have a customer that wanted to know my subs so he could contact them directly. All of them (plumber/hvac/electrician) said thanks but no thanks. I am not the GC on this project, just the construction force on the project. I know this guy wished he had paid me the fee and then things would have went much smoother, and cost him less. He really got raped.

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Heritage

I'm not a speacialty trade person so I respectfully didn't vote BUT, I do a ton...and I mean a lot of Drywall work. 3 of my employees are also very skilled framers. I could easily branch out and specialize...that having been said...

I would much rather work for a GC as a sub for Drywall/framing. The GC understands ever facet of the work, and doesn't get freaked out over nonsense. The GC ensures that my work area is agreeable for me/my employees. I could go on but I don't want to hog the thread.

GC hands down, anyday.

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Toronto General Contractor-Renovation Blog-Contractor on Facebook-Renovation on twitter-Contractor Youtube

john elliott

HO's are far more particular about their kitchen cabinets than they are about most aspects of a house build, so I guess the only time the question of working for a GC would come up in my line of work is if they were building a spec house. If that was the case then I would consider it as long as they followed all my normal procedures, which means that I would get 90% of my money before the cabinets got anywhere near the house.

In effect that means I would never be working for a GC!

John

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Ed the Roofer said "John too, in his crass and blunt demeanor.............."

Jonesey

A good GC can make my job a heck of a lot easier, but that's often not the case. No offense intended. I usually end up with people trodding all over my work, the GC treating my shop like free storage space for his cabinets, AND having to wait for my money. Any one of those alone is a pain to deal with, but all together it's a bit too much. I know one GC who's good at his job, and even he gets on my nerves from time to time.

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Steve Jones
steve@jonespaintingonline.com
Jones Painting Feel the difference service makes