What Do Contractors Need to Know?

• Contractors should know how to build what they sell.

• Contractors should understand design objectives and building codes.

• Contractors must understand construction processes.

• Contractors must know the licensing laws!

• Contractors should understand how to put together a contract that identifies the required specifics necessary to complete the assigned project.

• Contractor need to know how much a qualified skilled worker can accomplish in a day.

• Contractors should understand and be able to develop a scope of work.

• Experienced Contractors get inspections and approvals.

• Contractors require the owner to document all approved specifics in writing.

• Contractors must perform what is documented in writing.

• Contractors manage construction.

• Contractor must envision the project completed.

• A certain amount of cost is what Contractors work from.

• Contractors should follow construction documents.

• Contractors need specific documents to follow.

• Contractors are subject to other wants, needs and requirements by the owner, building department, trade contractors, and material vendors and existing conditions of the site and structure.

• Contractors take a gamble on their experience and knowledge of how they can perform.

• Contractors should know and understand the overhead cost of being in business (how much does it cost to be in business)

• Contractors should know labor burden rates.

• Contractors know that estimates are not comparable when not based on approved specifics!

• Contractors know owners are looking for cost.

• Contractors know the owner has a simplified idea of what it takes to build the project.

• The Contractor is experienced the owner generally is not always knowledgeable about what it takes to build.

• Only the contractor should manage the work.

• The contractor knows the owner thinks he know how to do his job. “All he does is write checks”

• A licensed contractor takes responsibility

• A qualified contractor works to get the project done and understands that “time is money”.

• An experienced contractor knows the owner will hold up the project by not specifying the finishes and fixtures up front.

• An experienced contractor builds the project in a construction sequence that correlates with the project budget

• An experienced contractor establishes time frames for the project and gives the owner required time definitions subject to other consideration beyond the contractor's control.

• Experienced contractors render weekly or monthly communications to the owner for considerations, approvals, and instructions.