A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as engineering vehicles and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A general contractor often hires specialized subcontractors to perform all or portions of the construction work.

General contractors get paid by taking a percentage of the overall cost of the completed project. Some will charge a flat fee, but in most cases, a general contractor will charge between 10 and 20 percent of the total cost of the job. This includes the cost of all materials, permits and subcontractors.

Serving as your own general contractor for a major remodeling or building project can potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars. But this savings comes with a notable cost in terms of stress, time managment, and perhaps even the quality of the work. Don’t undertake this role unless you are confident in your abilities and have carefully weighed the pros and cons.