Homeowners often take pride in self-sufficiency: it’s a big part of taking on the responsibility of homeownership. When it comes to construction jobs for home improvement, people sometimes think about taking on the job themselves or hiring a “handyman” to do the work. This usually isn’t the best idea. A homeowner can also go to individual contractors. There’s another option, which is to hire a general contractor for the project.



When is hiring a general contractor the best step? You want to have a  general contractor to help on large, long-term remodeling projects or anything that requires multiple different contractors, (the subcontractors) such as an electrician, a plumber, a painter, floor and countertop contractors, etc. A general contractor provides a top-level organizer who puts the entire project together to see that all steps are done correctly, adhere to local code requirements, and are done quickly and with as little money waste as possible.

We can break it down further with some specific times when a general contractor is the right choice for your residential construction project:

How much time is required

You probably won’t know off the top of your head how long an individual job like a kitchen or bathroom remodel will take. The time necessary also varies depending on how extensive a remodel you’re looking for. For example, a complete kitchen remodel can take from 5 to 6 weeks. A bathroom remodel may take 3 weeks. You can do a bit of research (asking friends who’ve done similar projects is one of the best ways) to determine how much time needs to be invested. If the construction will likely last more than one week, hire a general contractor.

How many contractors must be involved

Putting in new kitchen cabinets or replacing an old bathroom sink only requires a professional plumber with remodeling experience. But if you’re planning to have work done in your house that involves rewiring, repiping, new construction, new flooring, countertops, and changes to the ventilation system, that means multiple contractors. In these cases, hire a general contractor to coordinate everything.

How many permits are necessary

You don’t need a permit to freshen up your kitchen with a new layer of paint or stone countertops. You do need permits for other jobs: always check on how many and what kind of permits are necessary. If you have to deal with more than one permit, hire a general contractor. This gives you the best assurance all permits will be taken care of.

Something else to keep in mind: not all contractors are equal, and some are shady and not trustworthy. You’ve probably heard horror stories from friends who dealt with a poor general contractor. However, you’ve already found a local L.A. contractor you can trust: we have 30 years of experience and numerous testimonials to the quality of our work. Call today to learn more about what we can do for you as your general contractor on all your bathroom and kitchen remodeling needs in Los Angeles, CA , or for other remodeling and construction projects.

Advanced Builders & Contractors serves the Los Angeles, CA area. We are licensed and insured and offer exceptional customer services on all projects.