Buying a new house can be a reason to celebrate, but taking on an exciting home improvement project, especially if this is your first time dealing with contractors, can seem daunting. Depending on the home improvement project, you will be faced with hiring someone who specializes in residential vs general construction. Knowing and understanding difference between a Residential vs General Contractor can help you when it comes to selecting the right contractor for the project.

Green Summit Contracting specializes in residential building contracting services. Below, we’ll explain the differences so you know what to look for when selecting a general or residential contractor, and then help you to find exactly what you are looking for when it comes to changing your dream home into a reality. This guide will break down the many difference between a residential vs general contractor.

Difference Between a Residential vs General Contractor: Specialization Matters

The residential contractor is focused on rebuilding and renovating of one-family homes, townhomes, or condominiums. They also know all the building codes and permitting requirements that are involved in remodeling and rehab these buildings. They have a great deal of experience with any kind of remodel. Whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, deck, garage, living area, floor finishing, basement, addition, or even moving a wall, a contractor will be able to tackle the job. Some examples of tasks a residential contractor can do include:

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
LVP flooring installation
Deck Construction
Basement finishing
Roof replacements
Gutter installation
Window and door replacements
Interior and exterior painting

On the other hand, general contractors are responsible for the general construction of broader projects, both residential and commercial. These contractors work with larger, more complex projects, such as:

New home construction
Multi-unit residential buildings
Office buildings
Retail spaces
Industrial facilities

They frequently work with architects and engineers to interpret complex drawings of buildings and follow stronger commercial building codes, while holding licensure of a different kind.

home project to explain Difference Between a Residential vs General Contractor

Residential vs General Contractor: Does the Project Matter?

Now that you know the difference between a residential vs general contractor, how do you know which one you need for your project? Consider these factors:

Scope Of Project: Determine scale and degree of build complexity. Smaller projects such as LVP floor installation or bathroom remodeling are best done by a residential contractor. Larger projects such as new home construction or major home additions should be handled by a general contractor. Project size is a very common determine factor when comparing Residential vs General Contractor options.
Experience: Select a contractor who has been successful on projects like yours. Find a kitchen remodeler, or a bathroom renovator – or perhaps both.
Licensing and Insurance: Check that the contractor has a license and insurance for the type of project in your area. This protects you as well as the contractor in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
References and Communication: Communication is key. We chose a contractor who was willing to answer our questions, explain the process, and keep us in the loop, with plenty of client references to boot.
Cost and Estimates: Get specific estimates from at least three contractors who come highly recommended. The lowest bid isn’t necessarily the best when balancing Residential vs General Contractor options, and a contractor’s explicit presentation of all costs with a realistic completion timeline is more important than a low price.

Green Summit Contracting: Your Residential Renovation Partner

Residentially-based Green Summit Contracting takes pride in residential contracting, offering outstanding service and craftsmanship on every project. We specialize in:

Kitchen and bathroom renovation: We can remodel your kitchen or bathroom and maintain or enhance its functionality while expressing your style.
LVP Flooring Installation: If you’re considering a floor upgrade, luxury vinyl plank is a perfect choice. It has all the benefits of plank flooring but also looks luxurious. It’s durable and requires minimal maintenance, which is a big plus for many people.

We also offer a full scope of residential contracting services such as deck construction, basement finishing, roof replacements, gutter installation, window and door replacements, and interior or exterior painting.

Unveiling the Nuances: Beyond the Difference Between a Residential vs General Contractor

Even though these differences between a Residential vs General Contractor are a great place to start, it is by no means the full story. Below are some additional considerations for selecting the best contractor for your project.

Subcontractor Management: Most residential contractors rely on a network of subcontractors – plumbers, electricians, and other specialty contractors – for whom they provide part-time employment. Some residential contractors also undertake multiple projects at the same time. The general contractor for your project likely works with a large pool of subcontractors, and they’re jumping into many related (or not) commercial projects at a given time. When weighing many offers as you compare Residential vs General Contractor, ask about how your contractor selects its subcontractors – and how they know they will do a good job.

Project Timeline: Residential projects usually have shorter timelines than even other types of construction projects taken on by general contractors, but that doesn’t mean you should expect your house’s timeline to be significantly shorter just because it’s less complex than, say, fitting out a new restaurant, which is something your general contractor is more accustomed to. Talk to contractors you’re vetting about realistic timelines, and make sure they’ll have the proper resources at the ready.

Permits and Inspections: It’s a magnificent, but complex building process. Navigating the permits and inspections process can be complex. Some residential contractors handle obtaining permits and scheduling the city or county inspection, while others do not, leaving you to handle those tasks yourself. Before establishing a working relationship with a contractor, find out who is going to handle these chores.
Insurance coverage: In addition to general liability and worker’s compensation insurance, your project might require additional insurance. Talk to an insurance agent or your attorney to know what kind of coverage you need, and make sure to ask those general contractors who will actually handle the work if they carry the appropriate insurance to cover you and your workers.
Warranties: Good contractors back their work with a warranty. Ask for the specifics of each contractor’s warranty – duration, what it covers, etc.

Green Summit Contracting: Your Trusted Residential Contractor Partner

These nuance within the difference between a residential vs general contractor can make all the difference in the world. Look no further than Green Summit Contracting to have the best experience possible for your residential renovation. Here’s how:

One-Stop Seamless Subcontractor Management: We have a well-established network of skilled and trusted subcontractors in different trades. We can manage the entire team and engage only those required.
Realistic Timelines: We analyze the scope of your project based on our experience and terms, and provide you with realistically understood timelines. We keep you informed through every step of the project and deliver what has been promised on time, without exceeding the set budget.
Permitting Expertise: We have staff dedicated to assisting you through the permit process and applying for permits for you so that the process before construction goes much smoother.
Complete Insurance Coverage: We carry all the insurance protection you need for you, our employees, and your property, from start to finish on the job.
Industry-Leading Warranties: you have peace of mind when you choose our industry-leading warranties for your work.

Beyond the Contract: Building a Collaborative Partnership

At Green Summit Contracting, we work collaboratively with our clients. The first step is to communicate and share ideas with the client, followed by a brief feasibility assessment. Then, we answer the consultation phase. Next, we address all questions from the client to provide information about the project at hand.

Here, we will share possible approaches for your project. The final stage involves devising an approach that covers all aspects of the project. Additionally, you will have a project manager that is assigned to your project. This ensures a single point of contact to manage all the decisions involved in the renovation.

We cover your entire property inch-by-inch when examining it for destructive and invasive pests and ensure you know where your money is going with regular progress updates. We won’t leave you scratching your head or wondering what you’re paying for! Also, our team will make sure you stay in the loop with large compliant, individual pest reports to let you know exactly what we did when we treated your home. We’ll even send you photos and give explanations wherever possible to make it clear what’s happened to your home, and what needs doing.

Why Choose Green Summit Contracting?

Okay you understand difference between a residential vs general Contractor. Here are some of the many reasons why you should choose Green Summit for your residential project:

Qualified and Experienced Team: In our team, we have responsible specialists who will be at your full sales service.
Committed to Communication: We are committed to honest and open communication. We will keep you in the loop from start to finish.
Quality Work: We guarantee superior quality in all our work.
Competitive Rates: We offer competitive rates without compromising on quality or service.

Whether you’re considering a residential Renovation, Green Summit Contracting can meet your needs! Call today for a free estimate and we’ll discuss the details and make your dreams come true!

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