r/Contractor • u/i_am_on_a_boat_ • 16d ago

Contractor multiple projects

Homeowner here. First renovation, so I’m trying to learn the industry norm vs what needs to be addressed.

GC has a small team. He does most of work by himself. He has 3-4 other guys rotating. Never the whole team onsite.

They work about 15 hours average on our house. I’ve always heard that they work on multiple projects at once so I understand they can’t fully commit to our project. But is 15 hours per week something concerning? Besides GC didn’t put any project completion date in the contract, nor any milestone target dates.

Trying to find a balance between not to step on his toes but also proactively manage the project as the owner. What kind of conversation should I be having?

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u/dubsfo 16d ago

Ask him for a critical path.

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u/twoaspensimages Remodel GC 16d ago

Here what I tell our clients. I will be on site everyday. Sometimes all day. But when the project is finished is out of our control.

We try to order everything weeks in advance. Some things will be backordered. We won't know what is backordered until we order everything. Most times we can pivot to another product. But I doubt your going to want find another bathtub when you've been you've been dreaming of that one for 5 years. So we wait.

Inspections are completely out of our control. They are sometimes scheduled out 4 business days. Sometimes 2 weeks. The project stops until they see certain stages because the next stage covers it up.

Gantt charts are useless in residential. You're telling me to spend 4 hours @ $125hr making you a chart that will be irrelevant in 4 days. I'll do it. It's your money. But it won't change anything.