Distinctions between Commercial and Residential Contractors

The contractors in Edmonton have chosen an admirable career path. It is a great option for anyone who enjoys construction projects. It's especially good for anyone who loves things like architecture but doesn't have the architectural knack for that particular profession. 

However, the residential contractors still want to be involved in creating buildings like the home. So if someone is willing to do this type of work, there are several different avenues they can take. For example, if you are already working in the construction industry and have decided that you are interested in what residential contractors do, one of the things you can do is follow a professional you know. 

This can give you practical experience and allow you to see what to do and what not to do. It will allow you to see things from a real-life perspective and you will be able to see what a specialist does on a day-to-day basis. Following someone can also give you some knowledge that you may not have been able to acquire in the real classroom. This is because this person may tell you things from the experiences that are not necessarily in any reference book.

Role of a general contractor

General contractors, whether they work on commercial or residential properties, are responsible for managing construction projects from start to finish. These can include new construction or renovation projects, but either way, your contractor will handle all construction requirements, from the initial planning stages to the final details of the project. 

Generally speaking, there are two types of general contractors: commercial and residential. 

In the simplest possible terms, the main difference between these types of contractors is that they work on commercial or residential projects respectively. Still, when comparing commercial contractors and residential contractors, there are some more specific differences between these professionals. Let's take some time now to review the more precise distinctions between commercial and residential contractors.

Commercial contractors

While working on commercial construction projects such as schools, highways, office buildings, or shopping centers, the commercial contractors in Edmonton are responsible for planning, scheduling, hiring specialized subcontractors, and managing a project from start to finish. This task requires specific skills, construction methods, and materials, so your commercial contractor should have specific knowledge and experience. Generally, commercial contractors will contact their clients, merchants, developers, and municipalities to get the job done on time and within budget. 

While both types of contractors will manage a team of carpenters, electricians, excavators, painters, and other professionals, the scope of commercial projects can make them more challenging. 

Residential contractors

As you might expect, the residential contractors in Edmonton are responsible for managing home remodeling or new construction projects. They are something of a home improvement professional with experience managing all aspects of building a home, including architecture, design, planning, and completion. Like a commercial contractor, residential contractors must communicate with various professionals, including drafters, electricians, plumbers, and more. 

Learn about construction challenges

One of the special challenges residential contractors face is the ever-changing expectations of the homeowner. Unlike commercial contractors, whose work is more strictly defined from the start of a project, homeowners often have an elusive vision of their future home. 

As the project evolves, homeowners can request changes to their original plan, so residential contractors must be prepared to address changing requirements throughout the life of a project. 

Since residential projects tend to be smaller in scale than commercial projects, they often need to be more attentive to detail. Both, residential and commercial contractors work to build your buildings and some of the differences between commercial and residential buildings are also obvious. Residential projects tend to be limited to houses, apartments, condos, or townhouses, making the scope of work more focused. 

Commercial contractors can provide expertise for a wide range of large projects, from schools and government institutions to restaurants and shopping centers. While a commercial contracting job is not necessarily more complicated, each type of contractor brings special skills to your construction project.