If you need to change a lightbulb, hang a picture, or do some other small job then you may not think about seeking help from a pro. You may even be handy yourself, and have no problem changing a toilet, swapping out an appliance, or even a bit of home repair with your own two hands.

When it comes to commercial jobs though, it pays to have a general contractor (or “GC”) in your corner. General contractors are experts at doing the big jobs that don’t make sense for you to spend the time or frustration doing yourself – especially when they’re professionally trained to get the job done right. 

Here are 10 quick reasons to hire a general contractor for your commercial project:

They help you spend your time wisely.

Even if you’re handy, the hours that it will take to do major work on your commercial property are hours that you can spend focusing on operations, growth, marketing, and other revenue generating activities. 

They grant you peace of mind.

Unless you’re a GC yourself, you probably don’t know the intricacies of running a large project like a massive commercial renovation. A GC manages every aspect of the job so that you can focus on managing the company. 

They avoid risky business.

If you go for the cheapest contractor you can find, their lack of proper insurance can put your business at a huge risk. A professional GC carries the right insurance, proper WSIB coverage, and understands the certifications, licensing, and permitting necessary to do your job safely and above board. 

They handle the calendar.

Having all your trades show up at the same time is disastrous, unhelpful, and can delay your project unnecessarily. Expert project leadership means that your project happens at the right time, in the right order, which helps avoid delays and oversights. 

They stay accountable.

GCs think beyond a single project and focus on long-lasting relationships. Keeping repeat clients means that they stay accountable to you to get the job done right. 

They play safe.

GCs have the knowledge, training, and experience to ensure that your project is in full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and any other safety legislation. Construction can be a dangerous game – leave it to the professionals. 

They’re ready for inspections.

Your construction project will be subject to inspections from the building department, the health department, the Electrical Safety Authority, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, and third-party inspections just to name a few. A GC’s job is to make sure that you’re ready.

They’re your best quality control.

A GC can run your project from start to finish, which means requesting and reviewing drawings, samples, processes and procedures of any trades or consultants involved. They build in checks and failsafes to make sure that you’re satisfied with the result. 

They fix any deficiencies.

There are a number of final inspections that any job must go through before all of the key parties sign off on that work. A GC manages that process to confirm that everything is done properly before you take back the keys. 

They fill in the gaps.

You don’t know what you don’t know, but a GC’s job is to know it inside and out. Their oversight on every stage of construction means that they’ll catch what you won’t along the way so that you’re not left with any unpleasant surprises after the work is done.