The General Contractor

This course will introduce the student to the starting-up and running of a successful construction project in the role of General Contractor.

Essential to the success of a construction project is a comprehensive understanding of scheduling and coordination of the construction phase in addition to leadership, teamwork and the implementation of a construction strategy that will ensure a project completed on time, within budget and consistent with the designer’s vision.

Successful completion of this course will enable the student to:

1. Explain what it means to be a General Contractor
2. Collect the information required to put a tender together
3. Understand how to deal with labour, legal and banking problems
4. Communicate effectively with sub-trades, owners and architects
5. Gain an understanding of how to work on the management team and make decisions.
6. Prepare sales and marketing programs.

The book will cover the following topics:

• Setting-up the Company
• The President’s Position
• Banking
• Legal Issues and Arbitration
• Financial Consideration
• Company Staff
• Labour
• Insurances and Bonds
• Company Objectives
• Role of the Company Staff
• Company Decisions
• Company Office Staff
• Project Schedules
• Cost Controls
• Sub-Trades and Suppliers
• Marketing and Sales
• Specifications
• Mechanical – Electrical
• Contracts
• Computers and Programs
• Meetings
• Time Management
• Rentals
• Communications and Public Relations
• Training Program
• Compensation Insurance
• Safety Guidelines
• Estimating and Closing Jobs