Small Budget - Acting as your own General Contractor?

We just closed on a small two family house.  It needs everything, but our budget is small.  Has anyone acted as their own GC? I have the names of some electricians and plumbers and flooring people our friends have used. Is it really hard to find a crew to take down some walls and then sheetrock and repair plaster?  If that is a terrible idea, I would be happy to take recommendations for licensed contractors who would be willing to work on less lavish projects. Think Ikea cabinet budget (that we will assemble ourselves to save money).  Must be licensed because of our construction loan.  Thanks Brownstoners!!

BrookBridges

in Construction 12 years and 9 months ago

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etconstruction | 12 years and 8 months ago

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https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/?ui=2&ik=7e57f75c7c&view=att&th=13932d21e4bd46bf&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=ii_139326f5eaaa8c52&zw&atsh=1

Edward Torres President of ET Construction Design & Glass Inc Business # 917 468 9468 Fax # 347 422 0121 Visit us @ www.Phoneetforyourhome.com

Springs | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Forgot to mention:  there are many people on this site who post all kinds of knowledgable info, and may even pass themselves off as contractors.  Many of them recommend themselves too.  Best to get someone who is actually recommeded by others, because then at least the customer service, communication and coordiation skills have been substantiated by happy customers.

Springs | 12 years and 9 months ago

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If you haven’t worked professionally on a construction project before, all the google searches, spreadsheets and charts won’t help you .  Hire a GC, or an experienced project manager, and subs who have worked together before.  So many bad ones out there, so I know it’s hard to find the right person.   Must be licensed means workman’s comp and you won’t find cheap rates if that is the case.

kerissamillan | 12 years and 9 months ago

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I believe Patrick and his crew will do this type of work. He does small-large range projects and is a licensed GC. Reachable at 1646-945-7315.

jack1152 | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Working on a budget on this day and age is reasonable. Many people do it. Hire a GC, and tell him you will pay for the labor and buy your own supplies. I know many people who do this…in an attempt to save money….and indeed you will.

stevecym | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Hey, I have a small company and might be willing to talk to you about some elements of this.  we have never acted as GC’s when we work, but have trades we work with and we do our best to coordinate as much as possible to keep the homeowner from having to do as much.  Be aware though, when you do GC there will be some pitfalls along the way that contractors just take as part of the job or a small hiccup – sometimes those things become big issues for homeowners GC’ing their own job.  Mousta says that it requires a lot of hand holding, I disagree so long as you are hiring people who have worked with other trades before.  if you hire people who have not done this before, than yes, maybe some handholding. steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

mousta | 12 years and 9 months ago

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I sort of did this. I had help from a GC but utlimately I mostly hired everyone out myself. It requires a LOT of time and hand holding. I was on site as much as possible making sure everything was done properly. The GC who I have used before, on this project and on others in the past, is Doha from Luxury Construction. He is a great guy and very honest. I would speak to him about how much the job will cost. 718-937-3642