What Do Remodeling Contractors Do?

July 27, 2021 | Posted in brownbuilding

When people see remodeling shows on TV where homeowners cut wood, install doors, and tile floors by themselves, they begin to ask, “What do remodeling contractors do?” Many first-time homebuyers and renovators ask themselves the same question before pulling the trigger on a thousand-dollar home improvement project. It’s when they go over budget for the third time or spend months waiting for their chosen wood, steel, or PVC materials that they begin to realize the value of hiring an experienced remodeling contractor.

remodeling contractors

Do I Need a General Contractor?

Home improvement is a billion-dollar industry, and it’s easy to get lost in design options for kitchen counters, dining sets, and bathroom sinks before making a safety assessment. According to research from iProperty Management, the money Americans spend on home improvement could reach a staggering $465 billion in 2022.

However, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, one in five workplace fatalities are caused by construction accidents. If you run into a mishap during a DIY renovation, you might diminish your income-generating ability by damaging your hands, feet, and other appendages. General contractors have worker’s compensation and comprehensive insurance policies that remove you from any financial liability if an accident occurs during remodel projects.

If you’re wondering “What do remodeling contractors do?”, you’ll find that many general contractors are skilled in more than one area of home improvement. Most of them are highly experienced painters, electricians, HVAC installers, and plumbers. You’ll need experience in all of these areas if you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom overhaul.

The Types of General Contractors

Prime Contractors and Subcontractors

Prime contractors are people that directly oversee the permitting, scheduling, and hiring of subcontractors for your remodeling project. Many prime contractors are former subcontractors who are electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. They deal with you directly and are responsible for your project timeline, budget, and your home’s compliance with building codes.

Prime contractors accept responsibility for everything that goes on in a construction site. Your kitchen, bathroom, or basement’s HVAC system, plumbing, and cabinet materials come with individual guarantees and warranties. Prime contractors are responsible for installing them in a way that you’ll be able to make warranty claims if something breaks before its warranty period is over.

You pay a prime contractor to ensure that subcontractors follow manufacturer guidelines and local laws, including those that deal with disposing of construction waste. Most prime contractors have a degree in building science, civil engineering, or construction management, although people with a high school diploma can become one with enough practical experience.

Design-Build and Traditional Contractors

You’ll find two kinds of prime contractors in the home improvement market: Design-build specialists and traditional contractors.

Design-build specialists are for customers who want end-to-end guidance on a construction project. They will help you conceptualize your project and oversee it through its final stages. Traditional contractors will accept any project plan and run it through your city’s permitting offices.

Traditional contractors are often cheaper to hire because they don’t have in-house design teams and architectural staff that can adjust your project plans to conform to any changes you want to make.

See Expert Contractors in Action by Calling Us Today

Brown Building Contractors is a general contractor from Olympia, WA, with over 25 years of industry experience. If you’re still wondering “What do remodeling contractors do?”, give us a call today by dialing 360-459-1043 and find out how working with professional contractors can make all the difference.


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