Do I Need a General Contractor
I am new to the whole homeowner business. Just bought a condo that was beautifully gut renovated three years ago. We want to do just a few things to it: paint; redo some of the closets; design and installation of built-ins; some minor electrical work; installation of a medicine cabinet; possibly installation of a tin…
I am new to the whole homeowner business. Just bought a condo that was beautifully gut renovated three years ago. We want to do just a few things to it: paint; redo some of the closets; design and installation of built-ins; some minor electrical work; installation of a medicine cabinet; possibly installation of a tin ceiling; polishing and refinishing of exposed concrete floors
We also need some help with ideas in how to configure part of the space (i.e., where to put the built-ins, closet design; location of home office). We are pretty good with design/space issues, but would really welcome the input of someone who does this for a living.
There will not be any need to touch any load-bearing walls. So I do not think an architect is necessary.
Should we go with a general contractor, or just hire the specialists (painter, closet people, built-in/cabinet makers, ceiling people, layout/design, floor) independently? Of course, some companies may be able to do one or more of these tasks. The question really is whether to go the GC route or not.
I have been lurking on the forum and collected recommendations for both a GC and the more specialized outfits. Now, I am at a loss as to which direction to go.
Many thanks for your thoughts!
I’d think you should hire an architect if you’re figuring out closets etc or at least an interior designer. If it’s a small project it shouldn’t cost much, and having an expert before you spend big bucks on lasting work might really make a difference. Just because your walls aren’t load bearing seems besides the point, that’s more like the reason you wouldn’t need an engineer.
I say this as someone who has done her own plans for bathroom reno and a backyard reno and both times realized some mistakes only after the job was done. My porch was too narrow and we should have moved the clawfoot tub away from the wall.
Both of these could also have been helped by taping out the plans onto the space once the job was started. At least do that much.
Thanks!
I would go the specialist route. No need for GC for your scope of work.
In my experience, a general contractor takes about 10% of the job. So if you’re budget is about 25k, the GC would get 2500. Nobody wants to take that job — or, nobody you’d want wants to take that job.
A good all-around guy/gal could do everything you want to do.