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Remodeling Building a Home Porches & Decks

general contractor

2 years ago

I’m not much for a handy person but I like the thought of learning. Is it possible to hire a general contractor that would basically supervise my own projects. Might sound silly but so I like the idea of being hands-on and also saving money for what it would cost in labor. Guess I’m looking for a consultant that’s a bit of a perfectionist as well

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Comments (11)

sushipup2
2 years ago
Many retired general contractors keep busy with small handyman jobs and inspection work. Expect to pay at least $75/hour.
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User
Original Author
2 years ago
Oh that would actually be awesome if I could find someone like that!
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millworkman
2 years ago
Expect to pay much more than that if you need one to hold your hand.......................
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
It would depend upon your skill level and tool selection. No amount of money will compensate a reputable GC from your screwed-up job posted online with his name on it.

Your desire to save money would scare me. Anytime a potential client starts out with "Well, I'd do this job myself, but...", I run for the hills.
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PRO
Charles Ross Homes
2 years ago
An unskilled homeowner paired with a contractor/consultant who is a "perfectionist" should make for lots of super fun posts here on houzz and/or a best selling book and/or a pilot for a TV sitcom.
res2architect
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Because of liability, insurance, workman's comp, site safety requirements, etc. you would either work for the contrator or he would work for you and one of you would need to be named as the contractor.
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User
2 years ago
No one working for a living with any brains would touch this wirh a 100 foot pole. Anyone retired, wouldn’t either.
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PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The experience will be memorable. You will remember how fun it was, or your friends and family will remember how it killed you.

Or somewhere in between.
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3onthetree
2 years ago
Input:

1. Not handy (which can range from just clueless to uncoordinated wreck)

2. Want to become handy (which not all people have that ability)

3. Save money paying others

4. Perfectionist (contradicts #1 and #2)

Output:

A. Youtube, Google, forums, and trial and error.

Since you apparently don't have an immediate family member who would be very patient, cares about your projects, and you can borrow tools from while they teach/show/team up on DIY, you will not want to hire someone for that nor will you find a stranger who will sit around while you struggle through things and let you borrow their tools, and if they happen to be a perfectionist their brain will immediately shrivel to a pea as they won't be able to control your newbie quality of work. The best way to learn is trial and error with a bit of knowledge beforehand, which is how most people do it over time. You will move from project to project on a timeline that fits your struggle and wallet, collecting tools along the way, some knowledge, and deciding it it's worth it to continue it as basically a hobby.
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worthy
2 years ago
There used to be a lot of night school, adult education, trade school and college courses designed to impart basic and intermediate skills in a variety of areas. It's how somewhere I have a certificate in auto body repair and could completely wire homes to pass inspection.
fissfiss
2 years ago
My Beloved is quite handy and has worked on projects with our general contractor….which is great from my point of view, because I do not have to nag if he is doing something for/ with the guys. But we have a 20 year relationship with the firm. They are also happy when I do my own ordering, because they know it will already be on site when they need it. I do not order the things with moving parts… like plumbing.
0

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