General Contractors(GC) are the ringmasters for most construction projects. These projects may include the use sub-contractors and other employees of the General Contractor. Many general contractors have a construction specialty such as single or multi-family homes, commercial property, or other larger scale commercial venues. Their level of experience is crucial to effectively and efficiently completing complex construction projects. This expertise opens them up to a Commercial Liability Insurance exposure, that if not properly managed could put them in a tough spot.
General Contractors may divvy out work in some of the following ways:
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Line up all the specialty contractors for the projects such as the plumber, electrical, HVAC, and excavation.
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They also my use their own payrolled employees for certain jobs and tasks.
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Schedule inspections with officials.
A design plan will be supplied by a professional architect drawn to the specifications of the general contractor and the client. The general contractor will supply most materials for the build, except for those supplied by a sub-contractor pre-arranged in their contracts. It is of utmost importance that the GC is aware of all zoning and code requirements of the project. Making sure the project is properly insured with a builders risk policy, and collecting insurance information from the subcontracts is also required of a GC.
General Contracts operate many different ways. They may be the hands on type that actively take part in the construction, or they may be more hands off and let the subcontractors handle the dirty work. General Contracts may lease equipment for certain jobs; this would also require proper insurance. General contracts do face a myriad of loss exposure through the build process. Having an insurance partner who understands their Commercial Liability Insurance and Commercial Property Insurance needs is crucial to obtaining the proper coverage.