In construction, a general contractor is an organization (or sometimes a person) that is responsible for conceptualizing, overseeing and carrying out the work required to complete a project. General contractors manage everything from the worksites, subcontractors, vendors, materials and equipment to safety, timelines, and quality, amongst many other things.

To give you a better idea, here is a breakdown of some of the roles and responsibilities a general contractor fulfills during the course of a construction project:

Every construction project has a master schedule, which details all the required tasks needed to complete the job, project deadlines, and the planned budget. A general contractor is responsible for organizing a project plan that ensures the construction project is completed in accordance to the master schedule. To do this, the general contractor is in charge of creating and managing a construction schedule, hiring subcontractors, procuring materials and equipment, formulating risk mitigation strategies, and maintaining communication amongst all project participants.

To ensure the construction project is completed on time, a general contractor must plan, oversee and execute the day-to-day operations at the construction site. This includes procuring the daily equipment, materials and services needed, coordinating subcontractors and consultants and managing their quality, and obtaining the required approvals and permits.

Safety is imperative on every construction site. A general contractor is responsible for implementing preventative safety measures and training that guarantee the health and safety of all those on-site. These measures include establishing an emergency response plan, providing safety awareness to the construction team, preventing the improper use of equipment, obtaining all the necessary permits and licenses before construction, and ensuring that the construction process is following all local legislation and building codes.

The general contractor is responsible for implementing a communication strategy that ensures all parties are kept up-to-date on the progress of the construction project on a timely basis. As the primary contact to all the project stakeholders, the general contractor provides a breakdown of completed milestones, upcoming or unexpected challenges, changes to the schedule, and budget status.

Westmark has been serving as a general contractor on Vancouver Island for over 35 years. With a diverse portfolio to prove it, we have experience leading ground-up commercial construction builds, leasehold improvements, multi-family developments, and custom home projects. As your general contractor, we manage all your day-to-day operations to ensure your project is completed safely, on time and exactly to your vision. Contact our Vancouver Island builders today to learn more!