A general contractor oversees construction or renovation projects, including hiring and managing individual subcontractors. Property-owning clients will often hire and deal only with the general contractor, who in turn supervises all other departments such as electrical, plumbing, landscaping, flooring, carpentry, masonry, etc.

After hiring all the subcontractors, a general contractor will manage scheduling and payment for all workers. They supply all materials, tools, machinery, and often a work crew of their own for less specialized aspects of the job. They monitor cash flow and safety for the duration.

 A general contractor will use specialized software to compile a detailed cost estimate for a project based on expected labor costs, materials, equipment, and timeline. If you have an idea of what you want, preparing a list of the expenses for, say, cabinetry or flooring will help expedite the time of estimate preparation.

Yes! It’s in our and the client’s best interest to be insured, so of course, we are. Our coverage protects all parties in the unfortunate incident of a worksite accident causing property damage or human injury.

Yes, we’re construction industry professionals with all necessary trade training, safety certifications, and licenses under our belts. Protect yourself by always hiring a licensed, insured general contractor, or be prepared to pay out of pocket for unexpected incidents, including years of workers’ compensation should an injury be sustained.

We recommend erring on the side of caution and getting a permit for any remodeling or renovation project. A permit proves your upgrade was legitimate, correctly done, and up to code. As these things can take time, it’s important to start researching requirements early. Without a permit, you risk being fined and shut down at any point in the construction process. Re-coordinating schedules could delay the project’s end by months, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The sooner, the better. You want to ensure you find a general contractor you feel comfortable with, who shows you past work that appeals to you and is knowledgeable and easy to reach. A reliable, reputable general contractor will likely have several projects on the go, so you want to book them early to secure the time you hope to spend building. For example, you’ll want to start looking for referrals in the previous fall for a spring renovation. The good news is, if you’re here, you’ve already found a reliable, reputable general contractor at Michael O'Leary Design & Build Inc.

As a rule of thumb, once you have your estimate in hand, there’s usually a possibility of unexpected costs being added to the projected total. A project rarely runs without surprise situations that have to be handled—perhaps at an additional cost—before the crew can get back on course.

To get in touch with a member of Michael O'Leary Design & Build Inc.'s team, you can reach us by phone, email, or through our convenient online contact form. Whether you have questions, need more information, or are ready to discuss your project, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out—we look forward to hearing from you and helping bring your vision to life!