What are the advantages of being my own general contractor?
Aside from the satisfaction, most homeowners who opt for the do-it-yourself route do so because they think they’ll save money. Like a plumber or electrician, a general contractor is paid for his services, which usually is a percentage of the project’s total cost. By cutting out the general contractor, people think they’ll cut their costs and save money. Many think it is a lot more affordable for them to do a lot of the work. Some save money, but it may only be in the form of the difference between hiring specialists and hiring the cheapest labor you have access to. Many discover the quality differential and the fact they have to resolve all of the issues and provide answers they may not be qualified to give. Much time is spent having to call and ask for advice, all of which a owner usually never calculates into the original commitment of time.
