How do you learn how too be your own gc ( general contractor)?

Question

How do you learn how to be your own general contractor as far as renovating properties, is this something your learn through experience? Is there a course you can take? Is it even worth learning?  I appreciate all the feedback and perspectives thanks in advance!! Looking forward too learning new things.

Mark S. · Answer

@Carl West All the advice above is good but I would add that you should check you state laws on when you are required to be a licensed GC.

Terrell Garren · Answer

My path over 12 years. Learn by doing - floors, drywall, paint, fixtures, locks, simple plumbing and electrical. Contract out the complex stuff - structural, HVAC, electrical/plumbing, roofing, etc. Your contractors will need to pull permits as required by state/county requirements.  As your business grows, do less hands on and outsource more.  I recently got my GC license to build a couple new construction rentals.  There was no solid justification but challenges are what I wake up excited about.  I'd rather walk a building site than a golf course any day of the week.

Jesse L. Weaver · Answer

To add to Terrell Garren's advice... When starting with the simple projects, YouTube is your best friend. Combine that with the hands on experience you'll build over time and you will develop skills that will benefit you the rest of your life.

Terrell Garren · Answer

In thinking about this some more, the 'learn by doing items' I mentioned allow you to understand cost, quality and schedule of tasks so that people will not be able to give you BS answers. This is stuff you need to know but was of little value to me on the GC exam.  Anyone of average intelligence can pass the NC GC exam with the right reference material, prep course (self study, weekend boot camp or community college) and 40 hours of study/practice.  You have to be practiced at where to quickly find information in reference material; know how to do building calculations; read a blueprint and memorize 10 to 15 pages of information. I could see where someone that knows how to frame, roof and/or put in footings/foundations would have an advantage.  Those are not self taught skills though. Caveat - You do have to be approved to take the exam (references, experience, financial)

My thinking is there are 3 extremes of a licensed GC. Two good and one dangerous.

1) A book smart GC that has skilled subs (knows how to surround himself with skilled people).

2) A GC that has solid experience in many sub specialties

3) A book smart GC that has neither skilled subs nor deep experience.

Carl West · Answer

@Greg Dickerson I actually want to focus on renovating sfh for flips at the moment. I wanna learn the whole process of renovating and how to oversee and control it. I wanna be hands on so I can basically know what’s going on, know how to do certain things and be knowledgeable too it. Overall I don’t wanna do my own work actually wanna get to a point I don’t have to lift a finger. I truly appreciate your input thanks

Greg Dickerson · Answer

This all depends on what you want to do, type of projects and whether or not you want to do your own projects or work for hire.

Most people learn by working for other GCs before staring out on their own. Some learn by hiring a GC for a few projects. I learned the hard way by doing and making a lot of mistakes that cost a lot of money but I learned fast and grew my first building company from $0-$30 million in seven years then sold it.

How do you learn how too be your own gc ( general contractor)?

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