Many home improvement projects can be done by homeowners themselves. But for bigger projects like a kitchen upgrade or a remodel for the master bedroom, the best call is to have a contractor involved.
Contractors have an important and diverse job in construction projects. Not only do they contribute to the layout, design, plumbing, insulation, and more, they are also involved in people management, permits, and ensuring that everything built is up to local and/or standards.
To become a general contractor, you should learn as much as you can about the job, especially its scope of responsibility. You should also know the requirements to get the license to be one too. Here are some things you should know before you start your career as a general contractor:
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What Is a General Contractor?
A contractor is a person who oversees construction projects. Be it a remodeling project of a mom-and-pop diner or building a new house for a family, the contractor manages the ins and outs of a construction project. A contractor usually works closely with the architect and the owner of the project. However, these days it’s common to see contractors take part in the design process too. Contractors are also in charge of things like obtaining the necessary permits, recruitment, and so forth.
What Do They Do?
As discussed, general contractors are in charge of overseeing everything that goes on construction sites. Other professionals on the job that are in charge of installing roofing parts, sidings, and other parts must follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s the contractor’s job to see to it that everything is done correctly. If a worker is injured on the job or your property is accidentally damaged, the contractor will take care of it.
In other words, if something goes wrong, the general contractor is responsible for paying for the repairs. Since general contractors are in charge of the entire job site, they assist with worker insurance too. In addition to this, general contractors are in charge of securing the tools needed for the project.
Becoming a Licensed General Contractor
Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Some states require more requirements than others. But even then, no matter which state a person is in, they must qualify for and pass the general contractor licensure exam to be licensed.
A person must be at least 18 years old and be able to legally work in the country. These are the most basic requirements. Here are the other requirements to become and be qualified for a license.
Get a Degree
Although general contractors can obtain a license with only a high school diploma, many have a degree that’s relevant to the field. Civil engineering, construction technology, site planning, and other related fields are some examples. Getting a degree is particularly useful in understanding various building processes such as how to prepare a site, understand architectural and design drawings, and identify permits and other formalities are required to complete a project.
Build Contractor Skills
Those with only a high school diploma shouldn’t be concerned though since practical experience weighs a great deal in becoming a general contractor. With professional experience, a person can proceed with taking the licensure exam.
Many spend years working before they take their licensure exam in order to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to do different parts of a construction project. Having working experience is a great advantage as it gives a person the intimate knowledge of each function in a project, estimated time of completion, work delegation, people management, which materials are best used, etc.
Obtain a License
Depending on state and local municipal standards, documents, IDs, and other requirements may vary. But generally, they seek proof of construction-related academic credentials and work experience. As mentioned above, a high school diploma is enough as long as you also acquire some professional experience working in construction projects. However, you can take a B100 course to help refresh your knowledge before taking the exam.
Do your research and look up national organizations for contractors that offer certification programs. Two renowned national organizations are the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), and the American Institute of Constructors (AIC). Although this isn’t a requirement, it’s a great comfort to future clients seeing that your services as a contractor are certified. A certificate entails that a contractor follows the standards of quality and safety in their work. However, to secure certification, one needs to pass a separate set of requirements as obliged by the organization.
It’s safe to say that being a general contractor means wearing different hats for every project. But that’s only natural especially since a contractor’s job is to manage a project. An effective contractor knows the ins and outs of the construction site, and that’s important. But it’s more comforting for the client knowing that a contractor has a license to back up their expertise.
Miradi mingi ya kurekebisha nyumba yaweza kufanywa na wamiliki wa nyumba wenyewe. Kwa ajili ya miradi mikubwa kama vile upgrades jikoni au remodeling ya chumba cha kulala, ni muhimu kuamua ni nini cha kufanya. Makandarasi wana kazi muhimu na mbalimbali katika miradi ya ujenzi. Haishangazi tu kwamba wanafanya kazi ya kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni, kubuni. Ili kuwa mtendaji mkuu, unapaswa kujifunza zaidi iwezekanavyo kuhusu kazi, hasa wigo wa jukumu lake. Pia unapaswa kujua mahitaji ya kupata leseni kuwa moja pia. Hapa ni baadhi ya mambo unapaswa kujua kabla ya kuanza kazi yako kama mkandarasi mkuu: Jedwali la maudhui Ni nini mkandarasi mkuu? Mjenzi ni mtu anayeongoza miradi ya ujenzi. Ikiwa ni mradi wa ukarabati wa nyumba ya mama na baba au ujenzi wa nyumba mpya kwa familia, mkandarasi husimamia mambo ya ndani na nje ya mradi wa ujenzi. Kwa kawaida mkandarasi hufanya kazi kwa ukaribu na mbuni na mmiliki wa mradi huo. Hata hivyo, siku hizi ni kawaida kuona wakandarasi kushiriki katika mchakato wa kubuni pia. Makandarasi pia husimamia mambo kama vile kupata vibali vinavyohitajika, kuajiri, na kadhalika. Wanafanya Nini? Kama ilivyotajwa hapo juu, wakandarasi wakuu wana jukumu la kusimamia kila kitu kinachotokea kwenye majengo ya ujenzi. Wataalamu wengine katika kazi ambao ni wajibu wa kufunga sehemu paa, sidings, na sehemu nyingine lazima kufuata maelekezo ya mtengenezaji. Ni kazi ya mkandarasi kuhakikisha kwamba kila kitu kinafanywa kwa usahihi. Ikiwa mfanyakazi anajeruhiwa kazini au mali yako imeharibiwa kwa bahati mbaya, mkandarasi atachukua huduma yake. Kwa maneno mengine, ikiwa jambo fulani litakuwa baya, mkandarasi mkuu ni wajibu wa kulipa matengenezo. Kwa kuwa wakandarasi wakuu husimamia eneo lote la kazi, wao husaidia pia katika bima ya wafanyakazi. Kwa kuongezea, wakandarasi wakuu wanawajibika kupata vifaa vinavyohitajika kwa ajili ya mradi huo. Kuwa Mkataba Mkuu wa Leseni Mahitaji ya leseni hutofautiana kutoka jimbo hadi jimbo. Baadhi ya majimbo yanahitaji mahitaji zaidi kuliko mengine. Hata hivyo, hata hivyo, mtu yeyote anayehusika katika mradi huo lazima apate kibali cha mkataba wa jumla na kupitisha mtihani wa leseni ya mkataba wa jumla. Mtu lazima awe na umri wa miaka 18 na awe na uwezo wa kufanya kazi kisheria nchini. Hizi ndizo mahitaji ya msingi zaidi. Hapa ni mahitaji mengine ya kuwa na kuwa na sifa kwa leseni. Kupata shahada Ingawa wakandarasi wa jumla wanaweza kupata leseni na diploma ya shule ya sekondari tu, wengi wana shahada ambayo ni muhimu kwa uwanja. Uhandisi wa ujenzi, teknolojia ya ujenzi, upangaji wa eneo, na nyanja nyingine zinazohusiana ni baadhi ya mifano. Kupata shahada ni muhimu hasa katika kuelewa mchakato mbalimbali wa ujenzi kama vile jinsi ya kuandaa tovuti, kuelewa michoro ya usanifu na kubuni, na kutambua vibali na taratibu nyingine zinahitajika kukamilisha mradi. Kujenga Mkataba Skills Wale na tu diploma ya shule ya sekondari haipaswi kuwa na wasiwasi ingawa tangu uzoefu wa vitendo weighs mengi katika kuwa mkandarasi mkuu. Pamoja na uzoefu wa kitaaluma, mtu anaweza kuendelea na kuchukua mtihani wa leseni. Wengi wao hutumia miaka mingi kufanya kazi kabla ya kufanya mtihani wa leseni ili kupata ujuzi na maarifa yanayohitajiwa kufanya sehemu tofauti za mradi wa ujenzi. Kuwa na uzoefu wa kazi ni faida kubwa kama inatoa mtu ujuzi wa kina wa kila kazi katika mradi, muda wa kukamilika, mgawo wa kazi, usimamizi wa watu, ni vifaa gani vinavyotumiwa bora, na kadhalika. Kupata Leseni Kulingana na viwango vya serikali na manispaa za mitaa, nyaraka, vitambulisho, na mahitaji mengine yanaweza kutofautiana. Lakini kwa ujumla, wao hutafuta uthibitisho wa sifa za kitaaluma zinazohusiana na ujenzi na uzoefu wa kazi. Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, diploma ya shule ya sekondari inatosha mradi tu unapata uzoefu wa kitaaluma unaofanya kazi katika miradi ya ujenzi. Unaweza pia kuchukua kozi ya B100 ili kufurahisha ujuzi wako kabla ya mtihani. Fanya utafiti wako na utafute mashirika ya kitaifa kwa wakandarasi ambao hutoa programu za vyeti. Mashirika mawili maarufu ya kitaifa ni Chama cha Usimamizi wa Ujenzi cha Amerika (CMAA) na Taasisi ya Amerika ya Watengenezaji (AIC). Ingawa hii si mahitaji, ni faraja kubwa kwa wateja wa baadaye kuona kwamba huduma yako kama mkandarasi ni kuthibitishwa. Cheti inahusisha kwamba mkandarasi kufuata viwango vya ubora na usalama katika kazi yao. Hata hivyo, ili kupata vyeti, mtu anahitaji kupita seti tofauti ya mahitaji kama wajibu na shirika. Ni salama kusema kwamba kuwa mkandarasi mkuu ina maana ya kuvaa kofia tofauti kwa kila mradi. Lakini hiyo ni ya kawaida tu hasa tangu kazi ya mkandarasi ni kusimamia mradi. Mjenzi mzuri anajua mambo yote ya eneo la ujenzi, na hilo ni jambo muhimu. Lakini ni zaidi ya faraja kwa mteja kujua kwamba mkandarasi ana leseni ya kuunga mkono utaalam wao.