When considering home renovations, Sarasota homeowners have many options. DIY videos are at one end of the spectrum, as residents look to save money by doing the work themselves. Handymen and specialized contractors also provide capable services in the areas which they concentrate in.
In contrast, a general contractor is a professional who is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a complete construction site. General contractors often build homes from the ground up and therefore have a more in-depth knowledge of all home systems, not just bathrooms or kitchens. When a general contractor is hired to handle home renovations, there may be some differences in practice which could greatly benefit the homeowner.
Home Renovations and General Contractors
There are a few very good reasons to consider a general contractor when doing specific home renovations. In the most general sense, these are the most qualified individuals who are trained to construct and renovate every aspect of your home.
- Economies of Scale: If you are renovating several different aspects of your home, hiring one professional contractor to handle all of the required projects may create cost savings over hiring several different specialized contractors. The GC can get the most out of his team, hours, materials, and more.
- One Point of Accountability: If your desired home renovations include new kitchen cabinets, new flooring in all the bedrooms, and a new driveway – a general contractor can be your single point of contact for all of them. Therefore you can work with one person for budgeting, scheduling, and questions regarding progress and timeline. This greatly simplifies the process for the homeowner and identifies a single point of accountability for the entire project.
- Connected Systems: A general contractor has the ability to understand how the changes they make to one part of the home may affect another part of the home. General contractors are often more up-to-date with innovations in technology and construction standards which can help with energy savings and efficiency throughout your home. Therefore a simple renovation may afford you the opportunity to save money or become greener in the process. If you run into something unexpected, like mold growth behind the walls, a GC can coordinate the right professionals to make your home healthy again.
- Licensed and Insured: Many specialized contractors are licensed and insured, so the best advice is to check that any person you hire to work in your home can validate both licensing and insurance. Many handymen types and some fly-by-night contractors may not be – so be sure to check at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The reason this is so important is three-fold. You want to make sure that the work is legal and permitted; that the contractor has the proper training and experience to obtain a license; and that if there is an accident that your home – and the workers – are insured.
Lindahl Construction has been building new Sarasota and Longboat Key custom homes for decades. We are proud of our many area projects, and of our reputation in the community. If you are considering home renovations, whether interior or a new patio or deck, give us a call. We would love to help you with any of your home construction and renovation needs.