A general contractor is the main contractor responsible for overseeing an entire construction project. The owner hires the GC, and the GC hires the subcontractors. The GC manages the schedule, coordinates the trades, ensures quality, and is legally responsible for completing the work.

The role is part manager, part negotiator, part problem-solver. A GC must understand every trade well enough to sequence them: framing before electrical, electrical before drywall, drywall before paint. A delay in one trade cascades into others. Good GCs keep the project moving.

GCs also manage risk. They carry insurance, provide bonds, and are liable for safety on site. They deal with weather, material shortages, labor disputes, and design changes. When something goes wrong, the GC is often the first call.

Some owners act as their own GC. That can save money, but it requires time and expertise. For most complex projects, hiring a professional GC is worth the cost.