A general contractor (GC) is the licensed professional who oversees a construction project from start to finish. They do not necessarily do the physical work themselves - their value is in managing the people, permits, schedule, and quality that make a complex project come together correctly. Here is what a GC actually does on a Victoria BC project.
Core Responsibilities of a General Contractor
- ✓Permit coordination: Pulling building permits from the City of Victoria, Saanich, or the relevant municipality, scheduling required inspections, and ensuring work meets BC Building Code at every stage.
- ✓Subcontractor hiring and management: A GC works with a network of licensed subs - electricians, plumbers, framers, HVAC techs - and sequences their work so trades do not conflict.
- ✓Budget management: Tracking actual costs against the project budget, issuing change orders when scope changes, and flagging overruns before they become surprises.
- ✓Schedule management: Building a realistic construction schedule and managing trade sequencing so work flows without gaps or pile-ups.
- ✓Quality control: Inspecting work as it progresses to catch deficiencies before they are covered up.
- ✓Client communication: Acting as your single point of contact so you are not managing eight separate trade contracts.
When Do You Need a General Contractor?
Any project involving more than one trade, requiring a building permit, or complex enough that self-managing would become a part-time job warrants a GC. In practice: all new home builds, all additions, full gut renovations, and any work involving structural, electrical, or plumbing changes.
BC Housing Licensing
In BC, general contractors building new homes or doing major renovations must be licensed with BC Housing. This licensing ensures the contractor carries liability insurance, employs licensed trades for electrical and plumbing work, and provides 2-5-10 home warranty coverage on new construction. Always verify a contractor's BC Housing licence before signing a contract.
GC vs Self-Managing Your Build
| Factor | Hiring a GC | Self-Managing |
|---|---|---|
| Your time commitment | Minimal - GC handles daily coordination | Full-time during construction |
| Trade relationships | Established network | Must find and vet each trade yourself |
| Permit knowledge | Experienced with Victoria/Saanich requirements | Learning curve on each project |
| Cost | GC fee of 15-20% on subcontractor work | No markup, but mistakes cost more |
| Accountability | Single contract, clear liability | Separate contracts with each trade |
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