Construction Law

5 Important General Contractor Duties featured image

5 Important General Contractor Duties

Although every contractors’ workload is distinct from their colleagues and competitors, there are an array of duties that all contractors must be proficient at in order to find success in the construction industry. Our Memphis contractor lawyers have served contractors all over the State of Tennessee, and we can attest to the fortitude of these professionals.

Memphis contractors are hardworking, forward-thinking, and altruistic, but it can be easy to lose sight of certain parts of the job when each and every day is filled with an endless array of challenges. That’s why our Memphis contractor lawyers will discuss five important general contractor duties in this brief article.

With additional projects coming down the pipeline as soon as active projects wrap up, a contractor’s job is never truly over. To ensure that you maintain legal compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, consult a Memphis contractor lawyer with years of experience fighting for the industry. 

1. Managing Expectations

As soon as signatures are scribbled onto a contract, contractors are thrust into a precarious balancing act consisting of the owner’s expectations and the reality of the project at hand. Remember, your duty is to the terms and conditions of your contract. The owner asserted their expectations when they signed this document, so don’t let them alter your scope of work retroactively without a change order. 

2. Paying Subcontractors

You are responsible for being staunch in your commitments to subcontractors. If you’ve ever been forced to file a mechanic’s lien against an owner, then you understand what it’s like to go unpaid for your hard work. Don’t make your subcontractors beg. Meet your obligations and watch as your list of subcontractors grows stronger and stronger.

3. Ensuring Subcontractors Do the Right Thing

Additionally, you have to oversee your subcontractors to ensure that they are not only performing their jobs suitably, but also paying their vendors and suppliers. When your subcontractors fail to make good on their agreements, it can come back to bite you. It’s important to demonstrate professionalism so that your subcontractors are more likely to emulate your positive behaviors and honor their agreements.

4. Manage Delays

Delays are a persistent problem on project sites across the nation, but contractors must have a plan in place to contend with them. You don’t want owners to question your professionalism or cut-off funding because your project becomes so delayed that project completion feels more like a dream than a reality. Whether your delays are attributed to subcontractors, suppliers, the weather, or something else entirely, it’s vital that you stay in constant communication with the owner to ensure that you are on the same page regarding the new timeline for completion.

5. Complete the Job (On Time, Under Budget)

Here’s the hard part. Along the way, countless factors threatened to derail your project. Were you able to find success anyway? Or did dread and despair throw you into a state of ennui? You can’t let your projects defeat you. Do whatever it takes to complete the job on time and under budget. When it feels like hope is lost, consult a Memphis contractor lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected.

If you would like to speak with a Memphis contractor lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.